LAWRENCE, Kan.: Invoice Self was downright curious to see what Kansas would appear to be within the Large 12 Match when accidents to Hunter Dickinson and fellow All-American candidate Kevin McCullar Jr. dominated them out for the video games in Kansas Metropolis.
Turned out to be sport — singular — as a result of the undersized, depth-challenged Jayhawks had been blown out by 20 by Cincinnati earlier than they might even unpack their baggage. And as curious as Self may need been final week, the sport underscored simply how little he needs to place a staff on the ground with out Dickinson and McCullar for the NCAA Match this week.
“Gosh dang it, if we are able to get complete we are able to play with anyone. We’ve confirmed that,” stated Self, whose staff is seeded fourth within the Midwest Area and caught with a tricky opening sport towards No. 13 seed Samford on Thursday in Salt Lake Metropolis.
Drawback is the Jayhawks haven’t been wholesome shortly. Whereas the shoulder harm that sidelined Dickinson occurred simply over per week in the past in a 30-point loss to Houston, the knee harm that benched McCullar has been lingering for weeks.
The 7-foot Dickinson did some non-contact work over the weekend, and Self anticipated to place in a full follow Monday and be prepared for the NCAA tourney. He additionally was optimistic — although removed from sure — that McCullar would have the ability to play.
“Your complete sport plan on (McCullar) was hopefully on Monday he will be good to go and if he’s not good to go, then he received’t be, after which we’ll hope on Tuesday. However I don’t know as a lot about Kevin as I do Hunt,” Self stated. “Once we get Hunter again, I believe he mechanically provides you confidence. He’s totally different that manner, and he’ll give us extra this time of 12 months than ever.”
The Jayhawks aren’t the one staff fretting their well being, although. Whether or not it’s top-seeded groups reminiscent of Purdue and Houston or bubble groups reminiscent of Colorado and Northwestern, lots of their NCAA tourney hopes may relaxation with the coaching room.
Houston misplaced Terrance Arceneaux to a torn Achilles tendon in December, Ramon Walker Jr. to a torn meniscus in February and Joseph Tugler to a damaged bone in his foot per week later. So, the Cougars’ entrance line already was skinny even earlier than J’Wan Roberts damage his proper leg of their Large 12 semifinal win over Texas Tech. Roberts began the title sport towards Iowa State however didn’t play within the second half, when the Cougars had been clobbered 69-41 on Saturday evening.
Purdue, which like Houston earned a No. 1 seed, can be intently monitoring the calf of All-Large Ten guard Braden Smith. He damage it in a convention quarterfinal win over Michigan State however didn’t seem too bothered by it in a semifinal loss to Wisconsin.
“He’s a tricky man,” stated Zach Edey, the Boilermakers’ all-everything middle. “I’ve by no means questioned if he’s going to play, if he’s going to be high-quality. In highschool, he performed like, half a season with a damaged foot. He can undergo ache. I’ve belief in him.”
Tyler Kolek has missed six straight video games for Marquette, seeded second within the South Area, because the All-American guard damage his indirect towards Windfall on Feb. 28. That features all three video games the Golden Eagles performed within the Large East tourney.
“The plan is for him to play,” stated Marquette coach Shaka Good, whose staff faces No. 15 seed Western Kentucky on Friday in Indianapolis, “however he’s obtained to undergo a development this week.”
The Golden Eagles additionally can be monitoring the standing of massive man Oso Ighodaro, who didn’t play down the stretch towards UConn within the Large East title sport after banging his left knee, and guard Stevie Mitchell, who has performed via a shoulder harm.
Texas Tech, seeded sixth within the South, has been with out 7-foot middle Warren Washington for a month due to a foot harm, whereas Darrion Williams damage his ankle within the quarterfinals of the Large 12 tourney towards BYU. Williams tried warming earlier than the semifinals however didn’t play within the lopsided loss to Houston.
In the meantime, BYU ahead Aly Khalifa damage his ankle within the second half of its loss to the Crimson Raiders. The Cougars, seeded sixth within the East, already had been with out Mark Adams Jr. and Dawson Baker for many of the season due to accidents.
Colorado will play Boise State in a First 4 sport Tuesday evening not sure of the standing of guard Julian Hammond III (knee) and ahead Cody Williams (ankle). The winner of that sport will play No. 7 seed Florida, which misplaced Micah Handlogten to a damaged leg within the opening minutes of the Gators’ SEC remaining loss to Auburn on Sunday.
Ninth-seeded Northwestern, lacking guard Ty Berry after a season-ending meniscus tear, hopes Matthew Nicholson is obtainable towards No. 8 seed FAU on Friday in New York. The middle has been coping with a foot harm the previous two weeks.
Nevada was waylaid by the flu bug forward of the Mountain West Match final week — Wolf Pack coach Steve Alford guessed 5 – 6 gamers had it. They’re all wholesome, although guard Hunter McIntosh stays iffy with a knee harm.
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AP March Insanity bracket: and protection: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness
(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – Related Press)
