The Kansas Jayhawks have been a powerhouse of college basketball for years now, which has many predicting a deep run for them in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. However, they just received some horrible news regarding star forward Kevin McCullar Jr.
McCullar has been arguably their best player on the season, averaging a team-high 18.3 points per game to go along with six rebounds and 4.1 assists.
He has been dealing with a bone bruise injury on his knee, a long-term injury which caused him to miss the entirety of the Big 12 Tournament.
There was a bit of optimism that he would be able to return for the NCAA Tournament. Kansas head coach Bill Self recently said that he was “anticipating” that McCullar would be able to go.
“Like I’ve said all along, it’s a bone bruise,” Self told reporters in January about McCullar’s injury. “So, I’m anticipating him being able to go. But I don’t know to the extent or how much it’ll bother him or anything like that.”
Unfortunately, things don’t appear to be getting much better for McCullar, which has caused Kansas to shut down their star player for the remainder of the season.
Bill Self said Kevin McCullar Jr. has been ruled out of the NCAA tournament#kubball
— Jordan Guskey (@JordanGuskey) March 19, 2024
It’s obviously a monumental blow to Kansas and their postseason chances. Naturally, fans are now very concerned about the team’s chances in the big dance.
Absolutely screwed!
— Christof Harper (@ChristofHarper3) March 19, 2024
first round exit
— dęńñįśthêMēńåçę (@hdnjem) March 19, 2024
Unreal
— Max Simone (@maxsimone_2) March 19, 2024
There’s just always something this time of year pic.twitter.com/J0SpThsnAq
— John Hogan (@JohnHogan22) March 19, 2024
To make matters even worse, McCullar isn’t even the only star on his own team that could potentially miss the NCAA Tournament due to injury.
Star big man Hunter Dickenson also missed the Big 12 Tournament due to an injury, and could very well not be at 100 percent for the big dance if he can go at all.
All of these factors could be an absolute recipe for disaster for Kansas as they prepare for their upcoming Round of 64 matchup against the Samford Bulldogs, who were already a popular upset pick for some even before this news about McCullar.
