K.J. Windham's Dilemma: Should Chris Collins Set Northwestern Guard Free?

With nearly 10 minutes remaining before halftime, K.J. Windham peeled off his long-sleeve training kit and stepped off the bench, checking in with a Wildcats jersey for the first time since Northwestern lost to Butler on Dec. 20 in the Indy Classic.

Though the comeback felt long-awaited with spotlights on, his return was merely a splash on dead water that struck for nothing. The sophomore guard, who came off the bench for bigger moments frequently last season, immediately faded back to the bench after launching a three-pointer.

The on-and-off process lasted five minutes with one shot taken. That was all Windham did before clocking out from Jersey’s Mike Arena in Piscataway, NJ, relegated to watching his Rutgers counterpart, Tariq Francis, who also came off the bench, direct the Wildcats’ collapse in an overtime heartbreaker.

Windham's dilemma has shattered Wildcats Nation's expectations for his potential surge in year two. Those who witnessed his thriving moments during Northwestern's big games last campaign believed he deserved a starting spot or become a more consistent threat off the bench. However, head coach Chris Collins believed he wasn’t ready yet, despite the team desperately needing more firepower to support its late-game finish amidst an 0-5 Big Ten drought.

"He struggled," Collins said of Windham's status quo after Northwestern squandered its early cushion to Rutgers 77-75. Through 12 appearances this season, Windham has averaged 3.8 points and 1.3 rebounds, statistically proving his slump. However, there was still room for debate following his season trajectory.

Given higher expectations, Windham responded solidly in the season opener. Facing Mercyhurst, he logged 21 minutes off the bench and scored 11 points, drilling three triples and snatching seven rebounds. Though he scored single digits in ensuing games, the fewer shooting attempts and slight marginalization of his tactical status didn't certify a downfall.

Before being DNP’d for three games, Windham also showcased his value facing elite teams. Against Oklahoma State in the Thanksgiving Classic at the United Center, Windham, despite missing all three shots, fought through contact and drew fouls, nailing all seven attempts at the charity stripe. Considering the Wildcats' plaguing free-throw precision — shooting 73.1% that ranks 142nd nationally per the NCAA — Windham stood out as one of the few who deliver on the line.

Beyond the raw numbers, Windham's effectiveness has been underestimated. Despite limited opportunities, he still posts the team's fourth-best three-point percentage at 34.4%, even higher than shooter Max Green (33.3%), who has played all 16 games so far but hasn't found consistency from deep. According to EvanMiya, Windham ranks fourth on the team in Bayesian Performance Rating (BPR), which indicates a player's value on the floor — higher than Justin Mullins and Jordan Clayton, the duo Collins has emphasized significantly in his rotation deployment.

"He's lost some confidence...and obviously falling out of the rotation tonight," Collins said, explaining his reasoning for releasing Windham for only four minutes after sitting without a minute for three straight games. "I thought (Rutgers) was a matchup where he could play a little bit, so we gave him an opportunity to get out there and play."

The lengthy process of building trust and confidence between coaches and players is understandable. However, it doesn't make sense for Collins to keep knocking him down on the bench when Northwestern faces winable non-conference opponents — especially receiving only one minute against Jackson State and zero minutes against Valparaiso right after he contributed eight points and three assists in an 86-82 hard-fought loss to Ohio State.

If there's a confidence concern with Windham from the coach's perspective, playing him in less stressful games should be a no-brainer method for finding rhythm and staying prepared for bigger battles ahead. Having Clayton start eight consecutive games doesn't prove the senior impacts team efficiency with increased minutes, but Collins offering Tyler Kropp ten minutes in the Michigan State game and Jake West a hefty 31 minutes against Rutgers makes Windham's dilemma even more mystifying. 

It leaves a question looming: when would be the turn for the sophomore guard who surprised people with sparks?

"Hopefully we can get more out of him going forward, because there's no question he has some talent to be able to come in and help us on the perimeter," Collins said.

As the season just passed its midpoint, the Wildcats' postseason hopes spiralled while remaining winless in the Big Ten. Given that the offense, led by Nick Martinelli and Arrinten Page, desperately needs extra help, Collins should set Windham free. To test the amount of confidence, you have to let him fly first.