Driving, range

Spot-up jumper or strong to rim, KU's Hinrich does it all

Kirk Hinrich has made at least five 3-pointers four times for Kansas. Elsa/Getty Images

By Mike Finger, Special to CNNSI.com

Standing in a hallway of the hotel where some of the Big 12's best players had congregated for a preseason function, Kirk Hinrich began to beam as he discussed the various aspects of his game.

One by one, curious observers sidled up to the Kansas guard to hear what he had to say. But as Hinrich continued to talk, the eavesdroppers only became confused.

"For me, my game's all about power," Hinrich explained. "I probably don't have many strengths. I don't even know where the ball's going half the time."

"But I still like playing golf anyway."

Listeners should have known right away that Hinrich wasn't talking about his basketball repertoire, which is arguably the most multi-faceted and finely tuned of any college guard in the country. It's also a big reason why the Jayhawks are once again positioned to be in the thick of the national championship race.

Like on the tee box, where he spent much of his free time in the summer, Hinrich has been known to show off some rather impressive driving ability on the court.

But the 6-foot-3 senior is just as likely to drain a long-range jumper or reward one of his talented Jayhawks teammates with a highlight-reel pass.

One of those players, fellow Wooden Award candidate Nick Collison, said Hinrich's knack for using those weapons at the right time has gotten better every year.

"He's so much more confident now," Collison said. "He's always had a part of his game where he's wanted to go at people. Now he knows when to do it."

Hinrich admits that wasn't always the case early last season, when he moved from point guard to shooting guard to make room in the Kansas backcourt for then-freshman Aaron Miles.

Although the transition wasn't as seamless as he'd hoped, he still posted career highs in scoring (14.8 points per game), rebounding (4.8 per game) and field-goal percentage (.541), and got even better as the year progressed.

CNNSI.com's Top Guards: • ACC: Julius Hodge, N.C. State • Big East: Brandin Knight, Pitt • Big Ten: Kirk Penney, Wisconsin • C-USA: Dwyane Wade, Marquette • Pac-10: Jason Gardner, Arizona • SEC: Rashard Wright, Georgia More from CNNSI.com: • Mandel: A feel-good season • Button: Guard play key to title

During the Jayhawks undefeated run through the rugged Big 12 conference schedule, Hinrich averaged 17.5 points and 5.0 rebounds while shooting 55.4 percent from the field.

All the while, he was still taking advantage of his point-guard instincts, as he dished out 186 assists for the season, just 43 fewer than the year before.

"At first, I didn't know whether I liked it or not," Hinrich said of the position change. "Now, I feel like we've got two point guards out there at the same time. I'm just asked to score more."

Scoring could prove to be a bit more challenging this season, as the loss of first-round NBA draft pick Drew Gooden means defenses will be focused primarily on stopping Hinrich and Collison.

Hinrich's superb outside touch -- he led the Big 12 with a .478 shooting percentage from 3-point range last season -- will be a big key, as the Jayhawks also look to pick up the slack for departed long-range specialist Jeff Boschee.

Because Kansas coach Roy Williams said he still doesn't feel comfortable playing any of his reserves for extended periods of time, Hinrich and the rest of the starting five will be expected to increase their workload.

But even if his minutes are bumped up significantly from the 30.9 he averaged last year, Hinrich said the Jayhawks' up-tempo style and his personal approach won't be affected.

"I don't think it's going to change the way I play at all," Hinrich said. "I think everyone's going to question our depth, but we have guys who are going to step in and do what they have to do."

While some people may have their doubts about the quality of Kansas' bench, there seems to be little skepticism about Hinrich's status as a dominant player.

Hinrich was already considered a probable first-round draft pick by the end of his All-Big 12 junior season, and he only enhanced his reputation by playing through a painful ankle sprain during the Jayhawks' run to the Final Four.

Hinrich said his goal for this year is to get Kansas back to that level, and many opposing coaches think he's got the mentality to do exactly that.

"What I like about him is he's gotten better every year," Texas coach Rick Barnes said. "He plays hard, and he plays with a lot of passion."

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Mike Finger covers the Big 12 for the San Antonio Express-News.