Kansas basketball is set to tip off a pivotal nonconference matchup against North Carolina tonight. The No. 1 ranked Jayhawks will take on the No. 9 ranked Tar Heels in the two teams’ first meeting in Allen Fieldhouse since 1960.
Both blue-blood schools won their season openers, but it will be the first chance for each to make a statement win. KU had been battling an injury bug early in the year, and it is relatively healthy heading into the game. However, head coach Bill Self told reporters during a Thursday press conference that transfer guard Shakeel Moore would likely be ruled out again:
Shakeel Moore expected to miss another game vs. UNC
Shakeel Moore won't play against UNC tomorrow. He hasn't practiced. #KUbball
— Michael Swain (@MSwain247) November 7, 2024
Coach Self noted that Moore had not practiced the day prior. He was supposed to begin practicing before the regular season started, so his outlook against the Tar Heels looks grim.
Moore transferred in from Mississippi State over the offseason. The defensive-oriented combo guard was the presumed replacement for Elmarko Jackson, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in June. He had previously spent one year at NC State.
Unfortunately, Moore’s KU tenure got off to a rocky start. He broke his foot in September during a pick-up game, and initial reports suggested he would be out 6-8 weeks. While that eight-week threshold has now passed, there is no clear timetable for his return.
His career stats at the collegiate level are 8.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.4 steals on 42.4%/31.2%/70.7% shooting splits. He averaged a career-high 46.8% field goal and 36.3% 3-point percentage a year ago.
It could be another week or two before the Jayhawk faithful finally see Moore in action. The bright side is that Kansas has one of its deepest rosters in recent history, especially in the guard room. When Moore does return to the court, he will be competing with Zeke Mayo, Diggy Coit, and Dajuan Harris for minutes.