K.D. Johnson is 'sticking to the script,' elevating Auburn off the bench

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — It’s been a trying season at times for K.D. Johnson.

Coming off the bench, there’s been a lot of single-digit scoring nights. Thirteen times last season, Johnson scored 14 points or more. This season, that total has dropped to six times (two in the past three games). Johnson missed a non-conference game against Georgia State due to an off-the-court issue. It hasn’t always been smooth sailing, but lately, Johnson looks more and more like the good “maniac” from last year.

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“I’ve been staying in the gym the last couple of months and sticking to the script,” Johnson said. “Me coming off the bench, I just focus on defense and let offense come to me, really. Whatever my team needs, especially right now to get the win, that’s what I need to do.”

The Georgia transfer only notched two 20-point games this season, but they’ve come in the last three games. He’s accepted his role coming off the bench and at times, thrived. Whether Johnson returns next season to Auburn remains unclear. Pearl and his staff value what Johnson brings to the table, but a player the caliber of Johnson could start at many places across the country. He’ll have options.

But for now, K.D. Johnson is focused on helping Auburn advance in the NCAA Tournament.

“I try not to think about it too much, I just get in there and play,” Johnson said. “It’s not about me. It’s a rhythm thing and a team thing I just try and focus on that.”

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Auburn guard Zep Jasper can relate to Johnson. They both possess an aggression and intensity on the basketball court that’s nearly unmatched. So if anyone can relate to Johnson, it might be the fifth-year senior who knows what it’s like to surrender the potential of individual honors for the good of the team.

“I’m proud of K.D.. He’s been through so much this year. K.D. got that dog in him. He gives us that energy boost,” Jasper said. “Me and K.D. haven’t been on the court this year, but if we were on the court this year, I feel like it’d show two dogs on the court together. Two pitbulls trying to nag on the ball, two pitbulls trying to go at the opponent. I’m hoping we’ll get the chance in this March Madness run to get two pitbulls to go against the other team. I just want him to succeed in this tournament. He works so hard, I’m with him. Whatever I have to do — that’s my biggest thing.”

Jasper then described K.D. Johnson maybe as perfectly as one could.

“He’s one of those guys that will get mad at himself and rip a tape with his name on it, rip it off and ask the tape, ‘why are you not making a shot?’” Jasper said. “He’s one of those guys — then you see him going Super Saiyan in the game, the next two minutes he’s yelling like he just did something. To have someone like that on your team, he’s an energy giver, you feed off him. I have to give it my all now.”

In his last seven games, Johnson is 13-22 from three-point range. His effective field goal percentage is better than 50 percent in six of the last seven games, too. While Auburn struggles to score at times, the recent emergence of Johnson off the bench as a legitimate scoring threat, similar to what he was last season, is a welcomed revelation.

“He brings a lot to that unit. He can hit you in so many different ways,” Jasper said. “The way he scores the basketball — he can hit you with the midrange, he can hit you with a step-back three, drive at your chest, you just never know what you’re going to get with K.D. Johnson.”

Wendell Green Jr. certainly knows what Johnson at his best means for this Auburn basketball team.

“It’s great,” he said. “Another dynamic offensive player. He’s starting to show it when it matters. Hopefully we can get going behind him and hopefully he keeps it going tomorrow.”

The Tigers and the Hawkeyes tipoff at 5:50 p.m. CT on Thursday inside Legacy Arena. The game will be televised on TNT.