Joe Lunardi expects 'neutral to negative seeding impact' for Kansas in NCAA Tournament due to injuries

Kansas stars Kevin McCullar (knee) and Hunter Dickinson (shoulder) will miss the Big 12 Tournament this week with injuries. But how much should that matter to the selection committee ahead of next week’s NCAA Tournament?

According to ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi — the injury impact could be noticeable when the brackets are finally revealed.

“There is really no way to know because I don’t want to say this is unprecedented. But we’re seeing teams now, have let’s just say they’re a little crafty in what they announced about injuries, both in Kansas’ case and even Marquette with Tyler Kolek,” Lunardi said during an appearance on ESPN2 on Wednesday. “The coaches seem awfully certain that miraculous healing is going to take place immediately after Selection Sunday. And maybe that’s true, but the committee has to take it with a grain of salt because they won’t see it with their own eyes during championship week and these conference tournaments.

“I would expect neutral to negative seeding impact maybe align. Kansas is probably a true three (seed), resume and talent-wise. Right now, I have them as a four.”

The injuries have impacted Kansas so much on paper that even Vegas put the 11-seed Cincinnati Bearcats as the pregame betting favorites to beat Kansas in the tournament’s second round.

Of course, both McCullar and Dickinson are the Jayhawks’ top two scorers this season, both averaging 18 points per game this season. Without them, the only player that averages double-digit scoring figures is forward KJ Adams Jr. with 12.1 points.

These injuries could lend some extra playing time to freshman guard Elmarko Jackson and the 6-foot-10 veteran reserve Parker Braun at the forward position. Both players have seen action in all 31 games for Kansas this season.

As a six-seed in the Big 12 Tournament, and especially with Kansas’ two biggest stars out for the entire week, the Jayhawks will be expected to see an early exit from the conference tournament, hence Vegas’ decision to put the odds in Cincinnati’s favor. Still, the Jayhawks are the winningest program in NCAA history and have found ways to win in tough situations before.

Under longtime head coach Bill Self’s guide, Kansas will look to make the most out of its Big 12 Tournament stay and turn that into momentum for next week’s big dance. That effort begins in Kansas City on Wednesday against the Bearcats in the second round.