By ADAM ZAGORIA
Kansas coach Bill Self said star forward Kevin McCullar has been ruled of the NCAA Tournament.
“Kevin’s not going to play,” Self said. “His knee pain has not subsided and it’s too bad for him to be able to contribute.
“He tried to do it and just said that he couldn’t go.”
The 6-foot-7 all-Big 12 guard, who averages 18.3 points and 6.0 rebounds, did not play last week in the Big 12 Tournament due to a knee injury and has not practiced much in the last six weeks but Self was hopeful he would play in the Big Dance. He has not played since March 9 against Houston. “If I could play, I would,” McCullar said in a statement on X. “I am more devastated than anyone, knowing that I can’t play and compete alongside my team and that my college career has now come to an end.”Here's a clip of Bill Self's announcement just now that Kevin McCullar will miss the NCAA Tournament. pic.twitter.com/Q9qkfgXQCt
— Henry Greenstein (@HenryGreenstein) March 19, 2024
— Kevin McCullar Jr. (@Kevin_McCullar) March 20, 2024Kansas big man Hunter Dickinson also did not play in the Big 12 following a dislocated shoulder, but is expected to play when No. 4 Kansas (22-10) plays No. 13 Samford Thursday night. Samford is 29-5 after winning the SoCon Tournament. “Dickinson is doing great,” Self said Monday. “He’s actually practiced the last two days, non-contact. We’ve done a lot of dry stuff so that w McCullar is the projected No. 16 pick in the latest ESPN NBA Mock Draft. Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter Follow ZAGSBLOGHoops on Instagram And Like ZAGS on Facebook
