Kansas will head into Tuesday’s Champions Classic matchup with Kentucky short-handed in the backcourt, and the timing couldn’t be worse for the Jayhawks.
Head coach Bill Self said Monday that starting guard Melvin Council Jr. is out for the foreseeable future after breaking his foot in practice. Self said, “Melvin broke the fifth metatarsal in his foot during Monday's practice and will have surgery in the next couple of days,” and added, “We expect a full recovery and we're hopeful he will return around the start of the conference season.”
Council’s absence leaves Kansas with a major hole to fill against the #15 Wildcats. The likely next man up is backup guard Leroy Blyden, who should move into the starting lineup with Council sidelined.
Former Kentucky target Tay Kinney, who has been starting for the Jayhawks, should also have a bigger role after what the source described as a slow start to the season. Kansas is expected to lean on a backcourt group of Blyden, Kinney, and Tre White on Tuesday.
That makes White even more important, since he has already been a focal point for Kansas in the scoring column. With Council out, the Jayhawks will need Blyden and Kinney to handle more of the creation duties in the backcourt. If that group struggles to keep the offense moving, it could give Kentucky an opening.
Council has been producing across the board this season, averaging 8.0 points, 5.0 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game. Now Kansas has to adjust without its lead guard, and the impact could stretch beyond Tuesday night while he recovers.
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Josh Heupel did not linger on the accusation, instead shifting quickly to the Vols next opponent and the usual business of game-planning, including how they defend tight ends. Even so, Skinners comments are the kind of postgame fuel that tend to linger in a rivalry, especially when Kentucky is already searching for a way to close the gap. [Read more 🡒]
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Kentuckys trip to Tennessee turned into another reminder of how fragile this season can feel when the Wildcats come out of a bye week and never quite find their footing. The 34-6 loss was fueled by turnovers and a string of uncharacteristic mistakes, the kind of self-inflicted damage that left Will Stein pointing back to execution more than effort as Tennessee took advantage and pulled away.
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Kentucky Gets An Early Edge As Kansas Loses A Key Guard
Kansas will be without a key piece when it meets Kentucky in the Champions Classic, as guard Melvin Council Jr. suffered a broken fifth metatarsal in practice and is set for surgery. Bill Self said Council will miss the matchup, a notable blow for a Jayhawks backcourt that has leaned on his experience and production.
For Kentucky, the news changes the early scouting picture in a game that already carries plenty of spotlight. Council has been a significant contributor for Kansas, and while Self expects him back in time for Big 12 play, his absence leaves one less proven ballhandler in a high-profile nonconference test that the Wildcats can now approach with a slight edge. [Read more 🡒]