Kansas will have to move forward without Melvin Council Jr. for the time being.
The school announced Monday that the veteran guard broke his right foot during practice and will be sidelined while he recovers. Council, a senior, is expected to have surgery in the near future, and Kansas is hoping he can be back around the start of Big 12 Conference play. The Jayhawks open league action Jan. 2 at home against West Virginia.
“Melvin broke the fifth metatarsal in his foot during Monday’s practice and will have surgery in the next couple of days,” Kansas coach Bill Self said in a statement. “We expect a full recovery and we’re hopeful he will return around the start of the conference season.”
For now, No. 14 Kansas turns its attention to a demanding stretch that starts Tuesday in Chicago against Kentucky in the Champions Classic.
The Jayhawks will also head to Las Vegas later this month for the Players Era event, and there are several tough games waiting before the Big 12 schedule begins in early January. That puts pressure on Self and his roster to absorb the loss and get production from elsewhere.
Council has started both of Kansas’ first two games, home wins over Fordham and Middle Tennessee. Last season, he was a regular starter and earned Big 12 newcomer of the year honors. His numbers - eight points, five assists and 3.5 rebounds per game - haven’t been eye-popping, but they also haven’t been asked to carry a heavy load yet, with both wins coming in blowouts.
With Council out, freshman guard Taylen Kinney is one player whose role is likely to expand.
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Kansas Now Knows When A Crucial West Virginia Test Awaits
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Kansas heads into the meeting coming off a close loss to UCF, while West Virginia also enters with fresh disappointment after falling to Texas Tech. For the Jayhawks, it is another chance to steady themselves and keep building in conference play, and the timing only sharpens the importance of a game that could carry plenty of weight by mid-November. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas Suddenly Faces A Backcourt Problem Bill Self Didnt Need
Kansas suddenly has to adjust its backcourt plans after senior guard Melvin Council Jr. broke the fifth metatarsal in his foot during practice and will need surgery. For a team still trying to settle its rotation, the timing is especially awkward, because Council was part of the leadership structure in the guard group and someone Bill Self was counting on to steady things early.
The Jayhawks now have to get through the nonconference portion without one of their most experienced perimeter pieces, and the ripple effect goes beyond one lineup spot. Council is hopeful to be back around the start of conference play, but until then Kansas will have to sort out who absorbs his minutes, who handles the ball, and how the backcourt holds together without him. [Read more 🡒]