Kansas star Kevin McCullar ruled out for Big 12 Championship vs. Texas

When Kansas takes the court Saturday for the Big 12 Tournament championship, it will be without Kevin McCullar. The star guard has been ruled out for the game, the Jayhawks announced.

McCullar left Friday’s semifinal game against Iowa State with back spasms and didn’t return. He left the court less than a minute into the second half, and trainers were seen treating him to try and calm the spasms.

“You can tell he is dealing with a lot of pain and was trying to breathe through the spams, clenching his fists together,” ESPN’s Kris Budden reported during the broadcast. “He’s not even able to get up to be a part of the huddles. Frustration coming out of Kevin McCullar as he sits on the bench.”

McCullar has been a key piece for Kansas in his first year after transferring from Texas Tech. In addition to his 10.7 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, McCullar also averages 2.0 steals per game, which ranks second behind Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Dajuan Harris.

Kansas, the No. 1 seed in the Big 12 Tournament, is set to tip off the title game against No. 2 seed Texas Saturday at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Seth Greenberg reveals biggest key to Kansas-Texas Big 12 Championship Game

The top two seeds, No. 1 Kansas and No. 2 Texas, square off in the Big 12 Championship Game and ESPN’s Seth Greenberg provided the biggest key to the contest.

In a matchup of star players, Kansas’ Dajuan Harris Jr. and Texas’ Tyrese Hunter are the head-to-head. Based on how Texas will play in the game, the Jayhawks’ title hopes could rest on Harris’ shoulders.

Greenberg broke it down ahead of the title game and Selection Sunday approaching.

“It’s Tyrese Hunter and Dajuan Harris Jr.,” Greenberg said on SportsCenter. “So think about this, both of these teams are without one of their starters … but Dajuan Harris is the key to this Kansas team and he’s gonna be defended by Tyrese Hunter. Hunter, over the last six games, averaging 14 points … But the most important thing is because of the way that Texas is going to defend Kansas, the ball is going to be in Harris’ hands. He’s gonna have space. 

“Watching that matchup, can Harris get downhill? Can he give Kansas some scoring? That’ll be a key matchup. Two elite point guards, both elite defenders, but the way that Texas is gonna defend, Harris is gonna have opportunities to attack the basket and make plays.”