Busting Brackets
Fansided

Kansas Basketball: Carlton Bragg Jr. to return against Kansas State

By Drew Dinnhaupt

Dec 3, 2016; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward Carlton Bragg Jr. (15) dunks the ball during the first half against the Stanford Cardinal at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward Carlton Bragg Jr. (15) dunks the ball during the first half against the Stanford Cardinal at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Sophomore forward, Carlton Bragg Jr., returns after serving a three-game suspension and gives Kansas basketball’s front court a big boost.

Kansas forward Carlton Bragg Jr. will suit up for the Jayhawks’ game against Kansas State on Monday, according to ESPN.

Related Story: Kansas, Baylor, WVU losses highlight insane day in league

The sophomore served his second suspension this season for being charged with drug paraphernalia. He has been granted a diversion in the case, which means that it will drop from his record if he is clean for the next six months.

Bragg missed three games for this suspension, including two wins against top-5 opponents — Kentucky and Baylor — despite Kansas having a thin front court during that time. Bill Self’s team suffered an overtime loss to unranked Iowa State in the third game Bragg was absent for.

Although the Jayhawks have one of the best backcourts in the nation, their front court is a major concern, even with Bragg back. Kansas has only four forwards on their entire roster, and only two (Bragg and senior Landen Lucas) play significant minutes. It was quite shocking that the Jayhawks managed to defeat both Kentucky and Baylor with only one forward in the starting lineup.

Bragg averages 6.1 points and 4.8 rebounds while playing 15 minutes per contest. His numbers certainly don’t stand out, but with a front court as thin as Kansas’, the Jayhawks will need him to stay on the hardwood.

Next: Three takeaways from a dramatic weekend of hoops

Kansas heads to Manhattan to face the Wildcats at 9 p.m. ET tonight on ESPN. Kansas State is 16-7 overall and 5-5 in conference play. They are coming off a colossal upset against No. 2 Baylor this past weekend. The Jayhawks won the first meeting between the two at the buzzer.

Home/Kansas Jayhawks