Kansas guard Kevin McCullar misses start against Oklahoma State due to bone bruise
Kansas star Kevin McCullar didn’t play in KU’s game against Oklahoma State on Tuesday night at Allen Fieldhouse.
In his place, Kansas freshman Elmarko Jackson joined the starting lineup. McCullar was seen in street clothes during KU’s warmups before missing the contest.
Jackson scored 10 points in KU’s blowout win, 83-54, over OSU.
Although there wasn’t an official reason given for McCullar’s absence pregame, Kansas coach Bill Self said on the Jayhawks’ pregame radio show that McCullar was “nicked up” and doubtful to play.
After the game, Self said the injury was a “bone bruise.”
“I don’t expect him to be out a long time, its a bone bruise,” Self said. “He hurt the outside of it when he got hit the other day, and it’s kind of created a similar situation that the other one did, but its not something that is going to keep him from playing over time. If he had played today, he would have been 50% or 60% and you risk it getting hit again. So he won’t practice tomorrow and we will see about Thursday. Hopefully, he practices on Friday.”
The Jayhawks’ next game is Saturday against No. 4 Houston.
As for McCullar’s past injury status: After KU’s win over Cincinnati on Jan. 22, Self said that McCullar’s knee was bruised and he might be given a few days off.
McCullar is averaging a career-high in points (19.8 points per game) and assists (4.7 assists) this season. He’s also averaging 6.4 rebounds per game. McCullar, KU’s leading scorer, was recently named on the late-season Wooden Award top-20 list.
Heading into Tuesday, Jackson had started Kansas’ first 15 games (played in 20), but was replaced in the starting lineup by Johnny Furphy before KU’s win over Oklahoma.
Jackson entered Tuesday averaging 4.5 points and 2.2 assists in 20.5 minutes per game. His 10 points were the most he’s had in Big 12 play.
For the most part, Self was impressed.
“I thought offensively, he was good,” Self said. “Defensively, I would say there’s some things to improve upon. ... I’ll be honest with you, its easy to get comfortable when you make a couple shots early and everything. And then all of sudden you feel like there’s not pressure to make the next one. It was good to see him (play well). He’s a good player and he just hasn’t played probably the way he thought he would so far, but tonight was a good step.”
This story was originally published January 30, 2024 at 8:15 PM.
