MANHATTAN, Kan. -- Kansas center Joel Embiid could miss time with back and knee injuries, and just how much could determine whether the Jayhawks still have a shot at landing a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.
Coach Bill Self said the 7-foot freshman, who has been dealing with a sprained knee and back trouble, is "going to need some time off" after Embiid played only 18 minutes in an 85-82 overtime loss Monday at Kansas State.
"Joel is beat up. He's beat up," Self said. "I'm not going to make an excuse for him because you have to perform. But he's going to need some time off. I don't know how much time, but he's going to need some time off."
Self wouldn't say whether Embiid will miss Saturday's game against TCU. The Jayhawks (18-6, 9-2) hold a slim lead in the Big 12 over Texas (18-5, 7-3).
One of the season's breakout stars, Embiid is averaging nearly 11 points and eight rebounds while positioning himself as a potential No. 1 draft pick if he leaves school early. But he only had six points and six rebounds against the Wildcats, often grabbing at the compression sleeves on his balky knee and holding his ailing side and back.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.