Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Ben McLemore is expected to play on Saturday

Chattanooga v Kansas

LAWRENCE, KS - NOVEMBER 15: Ben McLemore #23 of the Kansas Jayhawks receives high-fives from teamm ates on the bench after making a three-pointer during the game against the Chattanooga Mocs at Allen Fieldhouse on November 15, 2012 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Getty Images

A sprained right ankle won’t keep Kansas’ leading scorer, Ben McLemore out of Saturday’s game against Texas.

In a 61-44 win against Baylor on Monday night, McLemore landed awkwardly, resulting in the freshman guard rolling his ankle. According to the Kansas City Star, McLemore returned to practice on Thursday after sitting out practice on Tuesday and only participating in a light shootaround on Wednesday.

“He’s gonna be close to 100 percent come Saturday,” said Kansas head coach Bill Self.

The Jayhawks, in the middle of a 14 game winning streak, will have their star freshmen against a struggling Longhorns team. Texas is sitting at .500 and is off to an 0-3 start in Big 12 play this season. However, next Tuesday, No. 4 Kansas has a road game with in-state rival, No. 16 Kansas State. Kansas will get McLemore a game to test that recovering ankle before Tuesday’s top 25 matchup.

McLemore has been the best option offensively for the Jayhawks this season, pouring in 16.4 points per game. Missing McLemore for any period of time is something Kansas can’t afford.

“I’d be nervous for anybody to get hurt,” said Self. “But because it was Ben, it seemed like to me there was a little bit of air in the building that left.

“But I don’t think I was scared; concern would probably be a better word.”

Terrence is also the lead writer at NEHoopNews.com and can be followed on Twitter: @terrence_payne