Ames, Iowa ? Kansas University’s men’s basketball injury report didn’t seem as ominous Tuesday as the icy weather forecast.
In fact, as the Jayhawks boarded a bus for Ames at 2 p.m., it appeared Keith Langford, who suffered a concussion in Sunday’s win at Kentucky, likely would play tonight at Iowa State.
It also was possible Christian Moody (ankle sprain) and Wayne Simien (left thumb) would be able to play, as well as Russell Robinson, who has suffered no lingering problems from a scratched cornea.
C.J. Giles, who has a bruised right foot and wore a boot to the team bus, indicated he would be full-speed for today’s 7 p.m. conference clash.
Sasha Kaun had two more root canals Monday, but practiced Tuesday and said he was ready to go.
All-America candidate Simien, who had left thumb surgery Dec. 20, practiced Tuesday wearing a splint.
“We told everybody not to hit him,” coach Bill Self said. “It’s the first time he’s played in what he can play in (splint). He seemed to be fairly comfortable with it. I still think he’s doubtful.”
Of course, Simien wants to play.
“He wanted to play against Kentucky. We couldn’t do that,” Self said. “They say each day is very valuable (in his thumb getting stronger).”
Langford did not practice Tuesday but did light jogging and shooting.
“Hopefully, he’ll be able to go,” Self said.
Moody, who Self said was “day to day,” did not wear a boot on his sprained left ankle Tuesday.
“I did some things today (at practice),” Moody said. “It’s getting better every couple of hours. I want to be back as quickly as I can. Nobody is putting any pressure on me to be back.”
Will he be back tonight?
“I think so,” Moody said. “It just depends how I feel and what they (medical staff and Self) say.”
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More on reprimand: Self says KU had no choice but to reprimand Langford for comments critical of officiating after the Texas A&M game. As penalty, Langford can’t speak to the media for an undetermined period of time.
“The Big 12 notified us, saying, ‘Hey, handle it,”‘ Self said. “We were told he was going to be reprimanded one way or another.
“We took the initiative as a university instead of a conference.”
Langford was incensed after he picked up two quick fouls against A&M.
“That was sickening,” Langford said after the game. “The referees … I don’t want to say anything bad, but when you can’t get a call in your own gym and freshmen on the other end are getting all the calls, it’s frustrating, but we won. I was in there at the end, and Kansas is 10-0. That’s the important thing.”
Self agreed with the reprimand announced by AD Lew Perkins. And the Big 12 has announced it has accepted KU’s punishment of Langford and will not tack on any additional punishment.
“Keith knows better than that,” Self said. “One thing we can’t allow to happen is players to comment on the officials. The majority of the time when comments are made, officials were right, anyway. I disagree with what Keith said. I talked to him and his family, and Lew talked to him. We had a situation in the NCAA Tournament (where Langford criticized refs and was reprimanded). It’s why this had to be done.”
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Reform: The NCAA on Monday approved the first phase of penalties in a landmark reform package after setting the so-called Academic Progress Rate (APR) that teams in every sport will have to reach. Teams must have a 50 percent graduation rate over a five-year period or lose two scholarships.
“Presidents and athletic directors hire coaches and hire them to do a job. Part of that job is to graduate their young men or help put them in a position to graduate,” Self said. “If in fact the presidents and athletic directors are telling them it’s their job when they hire them, for the NCAA to have to legislate them to get coaches to do their jobs I think it kind of a sad state.”
He said KU had done a fine job of graduating players in the past and would continue to stress academics.
“It could crush you,” Self said of loss of scholarships. “What this does when you recruit guys, you recruit guys serious about going to school, not just recruit guys to play ball.”
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Robbery: Self was dismayed to learn somebody broke into the Fort Worth, Texas, home of Langford’s mom, Charlene Taylor, on Sunday, taking Langford’s Final Four rings and other items. Self said KU could contact the ring companies and replace the items.
“It’s a sad commentary when a family follows their kid to play ball, the community knows they are gone and somebody rips them off,” Self said. “I really feel for the family.”
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Stinson solid: ISU sophomore Curtis Stinson scored 19 points in last year’s 68-61 win over the Jayhawks in Ames. He netted 26 points in ISU’s 90-89 loss to KU at Allen.
“He’s not only one of the best players in our conference, but one of the best in America,” Self said.