Kansas forward Carlton Bragg Jr. (15) works to get a shot around Iowa State guard Nick Weiler-Babb (1) during the second half, Monday, Jan. 16, 2017 at Hilton Coliseum.

Although he doesn’t grade on a particularly difficult curve, at least Kansas sophomore forward Carlton Bragg Jr. isn’t in denial about his own performance 18 games into the season.

“I would say I’m below average,” Bragg said. “I could be even more effective than what I am now.”

Aside from a 15-point, 11-rebound effort vs. overmatched Siena, and a 10-point, six-rebound night vs. vertically challenged Iowa State, Bragg hasn’t had all that many games in which he has been able to both produce offensively and stay out of foul trouble. So being “even more effective” is not asking more of him than he’s capable of giving.

He vows better days are ahead.

“I know a lot of people have been waiting, but you’ll see,” he said.

He explained what makes him so sure he’s on the brink of a breakthrough.

“I’m having good practices consistently and I’m trying to carry that over to the game,” Bragg said. “Once I get going, no stopping me.”

Hmmm.

Well, Kansas coach Bill Self did predict his big game against Iowa State and did say he has shown serious improvement of late, so that can only be taken as good news.

Now that Udoka Azubuike is lost for the season, Bragg qualifies as the team’s biggest X factor, the player with the most unfulfilled potential.

But just how good is the McDonald’s All-American from Cleveland? He jumps well and looks even taller than his listed 6-foot-10. He runs the floor well for a man his size and has a soft shooting touch. But he doesn’t move particularly well laterally on defense, is a bit of a flincher in crowds and has slippery hands.

Someone wondered if his hands have improved in the past week and Bragg responded, “Oh, for sure. I think you guys can see that as well.”

Hmmm.

Maybe he is on the verge of a breakthrough. It does happen with players who need time to adjust to playing in heavy traffic. For example, Texas freshman Jarrett Allen, a 6-11 forward recruited by Kansas, averaged 9.3 points and 6.3 rebounds in his first nine games, and didn’t seem to have an appetite for mixing it up. In nine games since, he’s averaging 14.6 points and 9.2 rebounds.

If Bragg can bring KU as much as Allen gives UT in Saturday’s 1 p.m. tipoff in Allen Fieldhouse, how does Kansas lose?

Bragg agreed with an observation that he still seems hurried at times, adding, “I get out of control as well.”

Saturday would be a nice time for Bragg to take control and get going. Remember, he assures us that once he gets going, there will be no stopping him.