In fact, the freshman forward who has yet to be cleared academically by the NCAA Eligibility Center, did not make the trip with the Jayhawks for today’s game against Michigan State. Don Jackson, attorney for Diallo’s legal guardian, explained Diallo needs a waiver from the NCAA to be able to travel to games.

“The competitive integrity of the game is being tested by these cases,” attorney Jackson said in a text to the Journal-World. “When some of the top players in the sport are sitting and watching, the integrity of the game is really being impacted. He will be sitting on Kansas’ campus watching one of the biggest matchups of the year. This is damaging the sport!!!”

Meanwhile, freshman guard Lagerald Vick will miss tonight’s game. He had his right eye scratched at practice on Monday and according to Self, “doctors said no basketball for a couple days.”

• Michigan State coach Tom Izzo was asked light-heartedly by the Michigan media if he wanted Diallo to be cleared academically by the NCAA in time for today’s Champions Classic game versus KU.

“Hell no, I don’t want to see him,” Izzo said as reported by mlive.com. “The competitive side of me is competitive enough,” Izzo added.

Spartans forward Matt Costello told mlive.com: “You always want to play against the best competition, but even if he can’t play, Kansas still has four or five McDonald’s All-American kids in the big positions.”

MSU will be missing junior forward Gavin Schilling (toe sprain) and Marvin Clark (broken foot). Point guard Tum Tum Nairn has been battling plantar fascitis, mlive.com reported, but he’ll play tonight.

“He’s tough as nails,” Izzo told the paper.