Kansas Basketball: 3 keys to victory for the Jayhawks against Houston

2. A healthy Kevin McCullar

On Tuesday, Kevin McCullar was listed on the Jayhawk’s injury report and did not play in Kansas’ 83-54 triumph over Oklahoma State.

Obviously, there was initial cause for concern as McCullar is putting up All-American numbers -- and is arguably the most critical piece for Kansas -- but Bill Self cleared the air after the win stating it was just a bone bruise and if was near the end of the season, he most likely would have played. 

Heading into Saturday, it looks like McCullar will be ready to go.

"I think he’ll do whatever he has to do treatment-wise to make sure that he does play (Saturday), and structurally we don’t think there’s any issues. It’s a bone bruise."

- Bill Self via Joshua Schulman

Although McCullar has struggled in his last two games, shooting just 5 for 17 and 5 for 18 from the field, missing the Oklahoma State game just might be what the doctor ordered, giving him a full week of rest before Saturday.

McCullar has blossomed from the “ultimate glue-guy” at Texas Tech and his first year in Lawrence to an All-American candidate thanks to increases in his shooting percentages all while playing a larger role offensively and in terms of his volume shooting.

Addressing the elephant in the room, his impact cannot be stressed enough. Without McCullar, Kansas' ceiling is tremendously limited although Jayhawk faithful were very glad to see Elmarko Jackson step up in wake of McCullar’s absence on Tuesday -- a positive sign moving forward for their limited depth pieces.