Tre White is suiting up for Kansas against No. 5 Iowa State-but let’s be clear, the lead-up to this one has been anything but typical.
According to head coach Bill Self, White has been dealing with an infected root canal that sidelined him from team activities for several days. He returned to practice just yesterday, but outside of that, he’s been largely inactive. That’s not exactly the ideal runway when you're gearing up to face one of the most physical, disciplined teams in the country.
White’s impact on this Kansas squad is hard to overstate. He’s averaging 14.2 points, seven boards, and two assists per game, but it’s more than just the numbers.
He’s a connector-someone who can get his own shot without disrupting the flow, crash the glass, and switch across multiple defensive assignments. When he’s locked in, Kansas plays with a certain poise and balance that’s hard to replicate.
But there’s a big difference between being available and being game-ready.
This isn’t a non-conference tune-up in November. It’s mid-February, the heart of Big 12 play, and Iowa State isn’t the kind of team you can ease back into rhythm against.
They contest everything, make you work for every inch, and punish you if you’re even a half-step slow. And after a week with little to no on-court action, there’s a real question about how quickly White can find his footing.
Kansas doesn’t necessarily need him to go off for 25 points-not with Darryn Peterson capable of carrying a heavy offensive load-but they do need White to look like himself. That means defending without fouling, making smart reads, and bringing that steadying presence that helps this Jayhawks team stay on script.
It’s been an odd week, no question. But if White can shake off the rust and give Kansas meaningful minutes against a Top-Five opponent, that’s a strong indicator of this team’s depth and resilience as they navigate the toughest stretch of the season.