The Kansas basketball team looked much different during its two scrimmages than it will during the regular season. Bill Self and the Jayhawks had to improvise with some creative lineups to offset the handful of injuries some players had been dealing with.
Thankfully, Coach Self provided fans with positive injury news during a press conference on Friday. KU will take on Howard this Monday in the opening game of the 2024-25 campaign, and it should be close to full health. This is the Kansas injury report heading into Monday:
Kansas basketball injury report vs. Howard
Hunter Dickinson: Probable (Foot)
Rylan Griffen: Probable (Hip)
Shakeel Moore: Probable (Foot)
"I anticipate having a full squad. We have not limited reps since the game Tuesday with (Hunter Dickinson) and (Shakeel Moore), even though that may be the case moving forward (at practice). ... Unless something unforeseen happens, we should be good. Rylan (Griffen) did fine getting through the game. This is the closest we’ve been to being healthy, even though the timing is off on two (players). Hopefully by next week we’ll be a little bit better."Bill Self
Kansas played its initial exhibition against Arkansas without any of the three aforementioned players. Now, it appears that all of them will suit up and be active for the Jayhawks vs. the Bison.
Griffen was the only injured player to partake in a preseason game. He came off the bench against Washburn and was impressive in his debut, scoring 14 points and sinking four 3-pointers in 16 minutes.
Moore has yet to compete in the crimson and blue. The Mississippi State transfer is a defensive specialist and should give KU a jolt against score-first guards. He broke his foot during a pick-up game in September.
Meanwhile, Dickinson is the Preseason Big 12 Player of the Year and a two-time All-American. He has a nagging foot sprain that could still hinder his performance. His absence made it difficult for Kansas to balance during the two scrimmages, but his return should ease things offensively.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Kansas basketball should enter into game one with all of its players and a relatively healthy roster.