Kansas notes: Coach Bill Self pleased with Perry Ellis’ recovery

The question was simple enough. Kansas’ Perry Ellis returned from a knee sprain and played two games during the Big 12 Tournament. But after being limited in both a semifinal victory over Baylor and championship game loss to Iowa State, would Ellis have been better off resting another weekend to prepare for the NCAA Tournament?

Kansas coach Bill Self didn’t think so.

“He didn’t play particularly great in the tournament, but we didn’t expect him to,” Self said. “The purpose for him playing in this tournament was getting him ready to go next week.”

Ellis, who finished with seven points on two-of-10 shooting, had another mild scare when he tweaked his knee early in the second half. Ellis returned to the bench and rested for a moment before re-entering the game.

“I did a spin move and it kind of got tweaked a little bit,” Ellis said. “I told (Self) I needed (a breather) real quick, and I just tried to sit out and let it go away for a little bit.”

For now, Ellis said his mobility is still limited by the knee. But he’s hopeful he’ll heal even more before the NCAA Tournament begins next week.

“The whole deal is, he did exactly what he should do,” Self said. “He should get out there and go through it and get hit and see how he feels.

“He’s playing, and it’s only been (11) days. Give him six more days. I thought he did well.”

▪ While Kansas, 26-8, appears a good bet to land a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament on the strength of a Big 12 regular-season title and the nation’s toughest strength of schedule, it could be possible that the Jayhawks fall to a No. 3 seed after losing to Iowa State on Saturday. That prospect seems unlikely, though, and one thing appears certain. The Jayhawks will likely be sent to Omaha, Neb., to open the NCAA Tournament on Friday.

“Now it’s all about mindset,” forward Landen Lucas said. “It’s about attitude, getting people’s minds right. Because having messed up minds can be the reason for us going home.”

First half

▪ Key play: Kansas’ Devonte’ Graham drilled a three-pointer with 45 seconds left, giving the Jayhawks a 37-23 lead at halftime.

▪ Key stat: Iowa State shot 34.5 percent.

Second half

▪ Key play: With Iowa State leading 57-52, Iowa State’s Abdel Nader got loose behind the Kansas defense for another layup at the rim. The seven-point lead was the Cyclones’ biggest of the game at that point.

▪ Key stat: Iowa State shot 51.6 percent.

This story was originally published March 14, 2015 at 9:32 PM with the headline "Kansas notes: Coach Bill Self pleased with Perry Ellis’ recovery."