Absolutely baffling that McCullar might not play again this year but did play against OU? How did that work? Self says maybe he gets back before the tournament. Hard to picture him coming back healthy enough to play two games with one day of rest in-between. [Reply]
Originally Posted by DJay23:
Did I miss something? Is this still being called a bone bruise? I'm unfamiliar with the recovery time of a bone bruise, if that's what it is.
That's my understanding of what it is, but that's a pretty painful injury from experience and it takes a long time to fully recover from.
I'd anticipate he'll ultimately play in the NCAAs, but there's really no point in him playing any of these games for the next few weeks and further exacerbating it. [Reply]
The playing every other game situation is a little strange. The numbers are even stranger. He’s been inefficient in 4 of 5 games since the injury, but ultra efficient in the other (7/8), which came against one of the best defensive teams out there and the team that will be #1 in the nation next week.
Seeing as McCullar should only be healthier come tourney time than he was in that Houston game, I fully expect to see him play in the Dance. The question will be how effective he is.
In the postgame, Self said something to the effect that games like yesterday’s might show Kevin that he doesn’t need to carry the team. I think Self is killing a few birds with one stone. The other being that this is allowing the bench to develop and get into a rhythm just in time for March. He knew that they could beat Texas without McCullar, and he knows they can beat BYU without him in Allen too. Which is why he’s already ruled him out for that game even though he’s day to day. After Houston’s win yesterday (which makes it very unlikely that KU can win the league), I think there’s a good chance he rests him until the big dance.
Also, as good as McCullar is, the ball can sometimes stick when he plays. That hasn’t been an issue in the games without him, and they’ve played like a looser team. All of this could end up being a positive. If McCullar comes back for the games that matter and can be efficient, with the knowledge that he doesn’t have to force anything or play hero ball, they’ll have a great shot to beat anybody. [Reply]
Originally Posted by KC_Connection:
That's my understanding of what it is, but that's a pretty painful injury from experience and it takes a long time to fully recover from.
I'd anticipate he'll ultimately play in the NCAAs, but there's really no point in him playing any of these games for the next few weeks and further exacerbating it.
Alright, I was worried he had injured a ligament or something compensating for the bone bruise.
I agree. We've got a slim chance of winning the league at this point. Shut him down and get him healthy for the NCAAs. In fact, I'm low key rooting for an early exit to the Big XII tournament if only to give everyone some more rest. [Reply]
Originally Posted by KC_Connection:
Timberlake has got us.
He sure can really jump! He shows no fear going in for the contested dunk. If he can just shore up his defense a little, and not make head scratching blunders, his shot is starting to fall. [Reply]
Good to see Timberlake finally getting it together. Hopefully, he doesn't regress. I never bought the idea that he doesn't belong on the team. I think he had a mental issue, or lack of confidence. Perhaps getting more playing time will help him get that confidence he needs and he can help contribute to KU wins. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Lzen:
I don't buy that. They were 17-9 going into the game.
Besides, Texas has given KU problems the past few seasons.
I will admit that it felt good to send them off to the SEC with one final loss to KU.
Look close at those 17 wins. Look where they were and who they were against. Not many signature wins, even less away from Austin. Texas is like the 5th or 6th
best team in the state. They had zero chance of winning at KU. KU, even injured, is a much better team, especially at home. They may have given KU a hard time in the past, but that was then, not now. They dont belong in the Dance, but they'll probably get in because of who they are.
I get feeling good about beating them. Anytime you beat Texas at anything should feel great, because of who they are. And I dont necessarily mean because they're a good team. [Reply]