Kansas to play without Big 12 leading scorer Kevin McCullar vs. Baylor, per report
By SAM LANCE
Senior guard Kevin McCullar will not play in Kansas’ top-15 College Gameday clash against Baylor on Saturday night, per Jeff Goodman. McCullar is the leading scorer in the Big 12 conference at 19.5 points per game.
Five-star freshman guard Elmarko Jackson will likely spell McCullar in the starting lineup. The freshman replaced McCullar as a starter when he sat out against Oklahoma State on Jan. 30. Jackson has also started 16 games this season.
On College Gameday Saturday morning, McCullar hinted he might not be able to go and said he was “a little banged up.” The senior has been dealing with a nagging knee injury that Bill Self first alerted the media about on Jan. 22 after Kansas 74-69 home win vs. Cincinnati.
Bill Self said Kevin McCullar's knee is bothering him on postgame radio. Said it was a bruise that hasn't quite healed yet and Kansas might give him a few days off. #kubball
— Sam Lance (@slancehoops) January 23, 2024
The last detailed update Bill Self gave described the injury as a “bone bruise” and said there is no structural damage.
Still, McCullar being out Saturday is a big blow for Kansas, who sits a half game behind Baylor in the Big 12 standings coming into the game. In reality, this is a must win game for Kansas if the Jayhawks are to win or share the Big 12 conference regular season title. Jackson, and transfer senior guard Nick Timberlake will have to step up in McCullar’s absence, or the Jayhawks might be in trouble.
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