Ailing Moody sits out loss

Christian Moody, who has been slowed by a left ankle injury the past month, now has a nasty left knee infection to deal with.

“It hurts bad, but it’s getting better every day,” said Moody, Kansas University’s junior forward, who was forced to sit on the bench in suit and tie during the Jayhawks’ 63-61 overtime loss to Iowa State on Saturday at Allen Fieldhouse.

Moody, who wore a deep knee wrap under his pants, is listed as doubtful for Monday’s 8 p.m. clash at Oklahoma.

“He has an infection right now around his knee from a floor burn (sustained) at Texas Tech,” KU coach Bill Self said. “It just popped up yesterday.

“It’s serious enough the knee swelled like this,” Self said, moving his hands apart wide for emphasis. “He could hardly walk yesterday. We were hoping after antibiotics and stuff he could play today. No shot. He’s probably doubtful for Monday too. Hopefully, some miraculous recovery when antibodies can get in the system to slow down the infection right around the knee. He can barely walk, let alone play, now.”

Moody sat the bench area anxiously as KU’s offense struggled against ISU.

“It was really tough to be on the sideline and not be out there,” said Moody, “but those other guys did great.”

Those other guys included C.J. Giles, who had four points and three blocks in 11 minutes, and starter Sasha Kaun, who had seven points and seven boards in 23 minutes.

“It’s bitter,” Kaun said of his first home loss. “It’s bitter for me to see the seniors lose at home. Some things went wrong today. We had a tough time getting the ball to ‘Dub’ (Wayne Simien). I didn’t think he had many touches.”

Simien had just seven touches that resulted in shots. Meanwhile, KU had 18 turnovers and bricked 19 of 23 threes.