Bill Self comments on McCullar’s status, defines KU’s motivation for next three games
Kansas men’s basketball coach Bill Self envisions a scenario in which Kevin McCullar returns from injury, possibly in the near future.
“I think he’s doing better. I don’t know when he’ll play next,” Self said Thursday at a news conference held in advance of Saturday’s KU-Baylor game. Tipoff is 12 p.m. at Baylor’s Foster Pavilion with a live telecast on ABC.
“I think he’s gaining on it. Hopefully we can get him back out there,” Self added.
Is there a chance he could play in the matchup between the No. 7-ranked Jayhawks (21-7, 9-6) and No. 15 Bears (20-8, 9-6)?
“I would say there is if he could practice full speed today and tomorrow. If he doesn’t practice full speed today and tomorrow I’d say no,” Self said.
McCullar has missed four of the last five games because of a bone bruise in his knee.
The Jayhawks certainly would welcome a return from the team’s leading scorer (19.0 points a game).
KU needs to finish in the top four in the league to avoid having to play a second-round game Wednesday in the March 12-16 Big 12 tourney. The goal is a top four seed and automatic spot in Thursday’s quarterfinals.
It obviously will help KU’s chances if McCullar is able to play at some point. Self says there’s plenty to play for during the final three games of the Big 12 regular season, despite the fact winning the league championship appears out of the question.
“The motivation is get the best seed you possibly can in the NCAA Tournament,” Self said. “We’re not putting the motivation on winning the league. What’s Houston got to do, win one game? So we’d have to win (final three games and have the Cougars lose out).
“We’re not going to win the league. That’s not the motivation — to win the league,” he continued. “We’re in a position this year like we have been a few other times since I’ve been here where we’re going into it trying to finish with the best seed possible in the NCAA Tournament and also the Big 12 tournament. The NCAA Tournament obviously has more meaning. We’re trying to do that. There’s still a couple Quad I and a rival game still left for those opportunities.”
KU has won 16 Big 12 regular-season titles in the 20-year Self era.
The Jayhawks will play Baylor on Saturday, then Kansas State at 8 p.m. Tuesday in Allen Fieldhouse followed by the finale at Houston at 3 p.m. March 9.
“It’s got to be a one at a time kind of mindset, putting ourselves in the best position we can for the Big 12 tournament,” KU senior Parker Braun said. “Obviously we don’t want to play on Wednesday. We want to play Thursday and play three day in a row rather than four, so we can’t bank on anyone losing or winning. It’s about us playing every game like it’s our last. Hopefully we put ourselves in good position for the Big 12 tournament.”
This story was originally published February 29, 2024 at 4:53 PM with the headline "Bill Self comments on McCullar’s status, defines KU’s motivation for next three games."
