For the second game in a row, and the first time on the road, Kansas sophomore Marcus Garrett is expected to be in street clothes when the 13th-ranked Jayhawks travel to Manhattan on Tuesday night to take on Kansas State.
Garrett, who injured his left ankle during last Friday’s afternoon practice ahead of KU’s home game against Texas Tech, sat out of that one while wearing a walking boot on his left foot.
The Jayhawks, fueled by sensational defense and a wild home crowd, rolled over the Red Raiders, 79-63, in a game that wasn’t that close, making the absence of Garrett much easier to stomach.
It remains to be seen if KU will encounter similar success against the Wildcats, but if they do, they’ll have to do it without Garrett, who is widely regarded as the Jayhawks’ best defensive player.
KU coach Bill Self confirmed as much Monday afternoon during a meeting with the media.
“I don’t think so,” Self said when asked if Garrett could play Tuesday. “I’d like to be able to tell you (he’s) questionable, but that’s wishful thinking. We’re hopeful that he’ll be able to go by this weekend.”
After Tuesday’s edition of the Sunflower Showdown, the Jayhawks return home for another Saturday game at Allen Fieldhouse against Oklahoma State. Tipoff is set for 11 a.m.
KU and K-State square off at 8 p.m. Tuesday on ESPN.
