The Jayhawks will swoop into Ames unbeaten, but a little battered.
Kansas coach Bill Self spent part of a Monday teleconference discussing the health of four players who may miss Wednesday's Big 12 Conference men's basketball game at Iowa State.
Forward Wayne Simien, a preseason all-America selection, continues to recover from thumb surgery three weeks ago. Other members of the No. 2 Jayhawks are nursing more recent injuries.
Keith Langford, Christian Moody and Russell Robinson all emerged wounded from Sunday's 65-59 win at No. 8 Kentucky.
Langford, a senior guard who has played on two Final Four teams, sustained a concussion while diving for a loose ball. His status for the game at Hilton Coliseum remains uncertain.
"A lot of it will just depend on him . . . how he feels," Self said. "But he's not going to feel good for a couple days, at least."
Moody, a junior forward, twisted an ankle. The former walk-on had been a key contributor during Simien's absence.
"Christian couldn't even walk when we got back here at Lawrence," Self said. "We hope that it's going to be one of those day-to-day things. As of right now, I don't know what his availability will be Wednesday."
Robinson, a freshman guard, has a scratched cornea.
"He had blurred vision and all that stuff," Self said.
Kansas (11-0) showed its resiliency by beating then-No. 9 Georgia Tech in overtime, 70-68, on New Year's Day, then beating the Wildcats in Lexington, Ky.
Both victories came with Simien on the bench.
"Everybody came in and contributed in their own way," Self said.
Simien was expected to miss four to six weeks after injuring a tendon in his left thumb Dec. 18.
Self was optimistic about an early return, but said Simien was doubtful this week.
"I guess you could always say there's a chance," Self said. "But I think the likelihood of it is in the 1 percent range."
"He hasn't practiced, done anything live," Self said. "He's still got a cast or splint on his hand that is something he could not play in."
Iowa State coach Wayne Morgan said possible lineup changes for the Jayhawks won't affect his preparation.
"We prepare like everybody's going to be there, because everybody probably will," Morgan said.
The Cyclones may still be without reserve guard Anthony Davis, who sat out Saturday's loss at Missouri with a sore shoulder. Morgan said if Davis did not practice Monday, he probably would not play against the Jayhawks.
Morgan also declined to speculate on whether any players would miss the rest of the season because of academic problems.
"When the grades come out," Morgan said, "the academic people will release it."
George update: The status of backup center Reggie George remains clouded.
George, a 6-foot 10-inch sophomore from Chicago, was suspended from the Cyclone basketball team last weekend for violating team policy.
On Monday, coach Wayne Morgan said he was uncertain when George would return.
Missing pieces?
Kansas is averaging 77.4 points per game, but if the Jayhawks go without four key players at Iowa State Wednesday, here's what their offense will miss:
Percent of
Player PPG offense
...
W. Simien 17.4 22.5
K. Langford 14.5 18.7
C. Moody 6.8 8.9
R. Robinson 6.6 8.5
...
Totals 45.3 58.6
Kansas coach Bill Self spent part of a Monday teleconference discussing the health of four players who may miss Wednesday's Big 12 Conference men's basketball game at Iowa State.
Forward Wayne Simien, a preseason all-America selection, continues to recover from thumb surgery three weeks ago. Other members of the No. 2 Jayhawks are nursing more recent injuries.
Keith Langford, Christian Moody and Russell Robinson all emerged wounded from Sunday's 65-59 win at No. 8 Kentucky.
Langford, a senior guard who has played on two Final Four teams, sustained a concussion while diving for a loose ball. His status for the game at Hilton Coliseum remains uncertain.
"A lot of it will just depend on him . . . how he feels," Self said. "But he's not going to feel good for a couple days, at least."
Moody, a junior forward, twisted an ankle. The former walk-on had been a key contributor during Simien's absence.
"Christian couldn't even walk when we got back here at Lawrence," Self said. "We hope that it's going to be one of those day-to-day things. As of right now, I don't know what his availability will be Wednesday."
Robinson, a freshman guard, has a scratched cornea.
"He had blurred vision and all that stuff," Self said.
Kansas (11-0) showed its resiliency by beating then-No. 9 Georgia Tech in overtime, 70-68, on New Year's Day, then beating the Wildcats in Lexington, Ky.
Both victories came with Simien on the bench.
"Everybody came in and contributed in their own way," Self said.
Simien was expected to miss four to six weeks after injuring a tendon in his left thumb Dec. 18.
Self was optimistic about an early return, but said Simien was doubtful this week.
"I guess you could always say there's a chance," Self said. "But I think the likelihood of it is in the 1 percent range."
"He hasn't practiced, done anything live," Self said. "He's still got a cast or splint on his hand that is something he could not play in."
Iowa State coach Wayne Morgan said possible lineup changes for the Jayhawks won't affect his preparation.
"We prepare like everybody's going to be there, because everybody probably will," Morgan said.
The Cyclones may still be without reserve guard Anthony Davis, who sat out Saturday's loss at Missouri with a sore shoulder. Morgan said if Davis did not practice Monday, he probably would not play against the Jayhawks.
Morgan also declined to speculate on whether any players would miss the rest of the season because of academic problems.
"When the grades come out," Morgan said, "the academic people will release it."
George update: The status of backup center Reggie George remains clouded.
George, a 6-foot 10-inch sophomore from Chicago, was suspended from the Cyclone basketball team last weekend for violating team policy.
On Monday, coach Wayne Morgan said he was uncertain when George would return.
Missing pieces?
Kansas is averaging 77.4 points per game, but if the Jayhawks go without four key players at Iowa State Wednesday, here's what their offense will miss:
Percent of
Player PPG offense
...
W. Simien 17.4 22.5
K. Langford 14.5 18.7
C. Moody 6.8 8.9
R. Robinson 6.6 8.5
...
Totals 45.3 58.6
