Kountz's Defensive Play Becoming Key For Boyle's Buffs
March 23, 2019 | Men's Basketball, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — Over the last month, Daylen Kountz's game has become increasingly more valuable for the Colorado Buffaloes.
Kountz, a 6-foot-4 freshman guard, arrived on campus last fall with the potential for an explosive offensive game, something that showed in flashes all year.
But recently, Kountz has become more and more effective on the defensive end, something that has resulted in him getting more minutes in crucial situations for Tad Boyle's Buffs.
"He's always been aggressive on offense," said Boyle, whose Buffs play host to Norfolk State in second-round NIT game Monday at the CU Events Center (7 p.m., ESPN2). "Now you see that aggressiveness creeping into the defensive side of the ball — which as long as he's not gambling, is a good thing. He's long, he's athletic, he's got good hands, he can get some steals and dunks."
That athleticism came on display in Colorado's first-round Pac-12 tournament win over Cal, when he had back-to-back steals and dunks in a 13-2 Colorado run. A day later, he added another steal and dunk in a win over Oregon State.
"Offense is confidence — playing aggressive, taking what the defense gives you," Kountz said. "Defense, it's just anticipating and being in the right spot. If you're in the right spot, you're going to be able to make plays."
That, Boyle said, has been one area in which Kountz has matured dramatically since the beginning of the season. As he has increased his understanding of his role and Colorado's defensive philosophies, he has been able to improve his play on that end of the floor.
"My whole thing with Daylen is his mind and his confidence," Boyle said. " His knowledge of the game, knowledge of where he is on the floor and what his responsibilities are have come a long, long way."
On the offensive end, Kountz has an explosive first step. Combined with his leaping ability, he has shown a penchant for being able to get to the rim, even in traffic.
"I think I've grown up a lot, understanding I need to play more confident and more freely," he said. "Playing just to play, not worrying about making mistakes. That was making me play nervous. I always felt like I could play; it was just more showing it. Adjusting, game by game, being more confident, being more comfortable, being more aggressive."
Kountz is averaging 16.7 minutes per game on the floor this year, but over the last four games (three Pac-12 tournament wins and the NIT opening win against Dayton), he has averaged more than 20 per game. Against the Flyers, he came on in relief of junior guard Shane Gatling, who was struggling on the defensive end, to provide some outstanding defense in the decisive second half of CU's 78-73 win.
Monday, he will be expected to play a key role against Norfolk's shooters, in particular guard Derrik Jamerson, who leads the nation in 3-point percentage, hitting 51.4 percent of his attempts this season (92-for-179).
A win would send the Buffs into a third-round matchup at either Texas or Xavier, with the winner there heading to Madison Square Garden for the NIT Final Four.
"Not every team is still practicing and playing games," Kountz said. "Most teams are on spring break. We're still playing and that's fun. This tournament is a good learning experience. It's showed me a lot, taught me a lot. It's going to be a big help in the future."
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
