Kevin McCullar announced available for Kansas' NCAA Tournament game vs. Howard

Kansas Jayhawks guard Kevin McCullar will be available for the team in its first round game against Howard on Thursday, according to the school.

McCullar missed time in the Big 12 Tournament due to back spasms, including in the loss to Texas.

This season, Kevin McCullar has been a key player for the Kansas Jayhawks, averaging Averages 10.7 PPG and 7.1 RPG. If the Jayhawks are going to make a deep run into the NCAA Tournament, they’ll likely need him to have success. He is a transfer from Texas Tech.

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In a game against 16-seed Howard, Kansas hopes to be able to ease Kevin McCullar back into play. Still, it’s important to be able to get him ready for a deeper run into the NCAA Tournament, which the defending national champions expect to go on.

Kansas is a 22.5 point favorite against Howard, which tips off at 2:00 pm on TBS. The winner of the game is going to take on the winner of the Arkansas–Illinois game.

Joseph Yesufu on how Kevin McCullar’s absence impacted Kansas

After losing to Texas, Joseph Yesufu explained what losing Kevin McCullar did to the Kansas Jayhawks in the Big 12 Tournament. That’s a game that Kansas lost that game 76-56 and needed help from him on the defensive end, in particular.

“Kevin, you know, you guys know Kevin is a great defender,” Joseph Yesufu said.

He’s the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year. He was missed today not only on the defensive end, but on the rebounding end. We just really missed him today.”

Bill Self is out

Kansas will still be without its head coach, Bill Self. Self missed the entire Big 12 Tournament due to a health issue. It’s that same issue that’s keeping him out of the first round of the NCAA Tournament now.

Bill Self will continue to be replaced by assistant coach Norm Roberts.

“Kansas Men’s Basketball Coach Bill Self will miss today’s NCAA Tournament game versus Howard but continues to progress well from a recent health issue. Assistant Coach Norm Roberts will serve as acting head coach today,” read a statement from the university.

There is currently no update about Self’s status beyond the first round.