Bill Self provides Zach Clemence injury update

Following a 68-53 loss to Iowa State on Saturday Kansas has now lost four of its last six games and is reeling as injuries continue to mount. A Zach Clemence injury is the latest, with the sophomore forward dealing with a knee issue.

Coach Bill Self summed things up succinctly after the game.

“We’re beat up,” he said. “We’re beat up.”

Self addressed the severity of the Zach Clemence injury following the contest on Saturday, as well as the timeline for a potential return.

“Zach has a bruised knee. They don’t think it’s significant, but they think it’s certainly going to be out for an extended period of time,” Self said. “We don’t know what that is, if it’s a week or two weeks. We’ll know more tomorrow. So yeah, we’re a beat up team.”

That said, Self isn’t using the Zach Clemence injury or any other as an excuse for his team. The guys that are healthy are still capable of rolling out there and winning games.

And they’ll have to if Kansas hopes to defend its national title come the postseason.

“The core players, for the most part, are still intact,” Self said. “So those core players got to perform and play better.”

Fascinating Big 12 title race shaping up

Prior to Saturday’s games, the race for the Big 12 was becoming downright fascinating.

Entering the day, No. 10 Texas (7-2), No. 7 Kansas State (6-3), No. 8 Kansas (6-3), No. 13 Iowa State (6-3), No. 15 TCU (6-3) and No. 11 Baylor (5-4) all had a shot to win the crown.

Before Saturday’s Iowa State matchup, Self had discussed the close race for first place and what Kansas has to do to earn secure its 21st regular season championship.

“I can’t see anybody running the table the last nine games, I can’t see that,” Self said. “I’ve been wrong before, but for us to have a chance, we’re going to have to steal a couple and hold strong at home. It’s different, though, because holding strong at home is tougher than it ever has been in the post. To me, it’s a little bit early.”