Five logical takeaways from Kansas Jayhawks basketball's brutal loss to BYU
By Tyler Key
2. This team could easily have another Round of 32 exit in March if Kevin McCullar Jr. does not return
Entering the year, everyone knew that Kevin McCullar Jr. was going to be a top-two player on this team and for the most part, he has lived up to it. McCullar Jr. has two triple-doubles this year and leads the entire Big 12 in scoring at 19.0 PPG. Especially after the Arterio Morris dismissal from the team, his role has become one of the most crucial for Kansas, as the Jayhawks need him to be a tough-shot maker, secondary ball-handler, and leader.
The Jayhawks ceiling and floor are both dramatically impacted when McCullar Jr. is not on the court and the loss against BYU encapsulates this perfectly. Nicolas Timberlake started in his place once again and shot 1/9 from the field, ending the game as the only starter who did not reach double-digits for points. Kansas also struggled mightily to defend BYU guards Jaxson Robinson and Dallin Hall, who combined for 36 points and seven made threes. McCullar Jr. would have been a nice defensive presence to throw on them to disrupt the BYU offense.
McCullar Jr. still has no timetable to return from his bone bruise and Coach Bill Self indicated that he is week-to-week, not day-to-day. If he cannot return to the team for the NCAA Tournament, it is reasonable to suggest that KU could have another early exit in March this year.