carolinakid
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - NOVEMBER 14: Hunter Dickinson #1 of the Kansas Jayhawks reacts to the crowd during the second half against the Kentucky Wildcats in the 2023 State Farm Champions Classic at the United Center on November 14, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) Michael Hickey/Getty Images© Michael Hickey/Getty Images
Kansas will be short-handed for the men's Big 12 basketball tournament.
Jayhawks head coach Bill Self announced Monday that Hunter Dickinson and Kevin McCullar Jr. won't play at this week's tournament in Kansas City. Dickinson dislocated his shoulder during Saturday's blowout loss to Houston, and McCullar is dealing with a knee bone bruise.
However, Self expects to have his top scorers back in time for March Madness.
"We should be the most healthy we've been in a long time when the NCAA Tournament starts," Self said on the Hawk Talk radio show, per KUSports.com's Henry Greenstein.
Kansas avoided a worse scenario with Dickinson. Self confirmed that the center won't require surgery.
“He did not tear his labrum," Self said. "Actually, he's far better off than what the doctors and the trainers even imagined. He's got good range of motion. He's already started rehab, all those things.”
The knee issue has bothered McCullar for much of the season. He went scoreless before leaving Saturday's game early.
After missing most of last week's practice, Self hopes the time off will help McCullar heal and better prepare for the NCAA tournament.
Following a 22-9 season, Kansas now faces a difficult path to its 10th Big 12 title since 2006.
