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Injury updates

Kansas University junior guard Tyrel Reed re-sprained his right ankle at practice over the weekend. Coach Bill Self said Reed still might play today in the Jayhawks’ 7 p.m. exhibition finale against Pittsburg State.

“He turned his ankle pretty severely on Saturday, the same one he hurt before. He may be ready to go,” Self said.

Self said guard C.J. Henry continues to be hampered by his swollen right knee and is listed day-to-day.

“He’s tried to practice, and it swelled back up, so I don't know if he'll play on Tuesday,” Self said, noting Henry is “70 percent or 60 percent.”

Self said Henry “has been checked out thoroughly. A lot of times there could be something to it and not be major in nature, but certainly is nagging and (could) keep somebody from being whole, and that’s what this particular situation is.”

Henry’s brother, Xavier, is hopeful C.J. — who missed last season at Memphis following surgery to repair a stress fracture in his foot — will be ready to play soon.

“It just takes time to heal. Whenever he can get out there he will be out there. He doesn’t say too much about it, goes to treatment and works out while we practice,” Xavier said.

He said C.J.’s spirits remain high. “I guess it could be the support system. He has the whole team behind him (and) the coaches. He’s got his little brother here. I guess it’s an easy way to keep his head level.”

Xavier and his brother are extremely close.

“I don’t tell him anything specific. We just talk every day and do all little-brother stuff,” Henry said.

What’s “little-brother stuff?”

“Yesterday, he was with me all day at my place (Jayhawker Towers). We hang out a lot,” he said.

Meanwhile, Brady Morningstar (right ankle sprain) is expected to resume practicing this week. Tyshawn Taylor said his right ring finger, which he dislocated in last week’s game against Fort Hays State, was fine.

Red-shirt talk

Self said no decision had been made on possibly red-shirting Mario Little, Travis Releford or Conner Teahan. C.J. Henry is not a red-shirt candidate, Self said, because he sat out last season.

“Nothing is concrete,” Self said. “We kind of put the date on it, (but) you could still not play tomorrow and not red-shirt. If anybody plays tomorrow, it means they are not going to red-shirt.”

Starters undetermined

Self said he was unsure of tonight’s starting lineup. Taylor came off the bench against Fort Hays State because of some careless decisions with the ball at practice.

“I thought Tyshawn played pretty well in the game, especially the second half (against Hays). He responded fine. You guys make such a big deal out of nothing when it comes to starters. Who cares?” Self said. “But it is a big deal to some people. Everywhere I’ve been, it never matter who started. It was always more important who finished. To me, it’s blown way out of proportion even though it is a goal of our guys.”

Taylor has admitted he likes opening games.

“I want to (start), but I don’t know yet. I guess it all depends on today,” Taylor said of Monday’s practice. “Coach feels I’m a good player, just a little bit careless with the ball, make stupid decisions. It all falls back on me. I have to make better decisions.”

Opener Friday

KU will meet Hofstra in the regular-season opener for both teams Friday (7 p.m., Allen Fieldhouse).

“Our focus is getting us better. Not disrespecting anybody else, but this time of year you have to focus on your own team,” Self said, indicating KU would take part in its usual pre-game scouting report on Pitt State at the end of practice Monday.

Barnes to make announcement Friday

Harrison Barnes, a 6-foot-8 senior forward from Ames (Iowa) High, will announce his college choice at 3 p.m. Friday at his high school. At 3:10 p.m., ESPNU will join the news conference and carry Barnes’ signing live on its network.

Barnes, Rivals.com’s No. 2-ranked player, has a final list of KU, North Carolina, Duke, Oklahoma, UCLA and Iowa State. He made an unofficial visit to Iowa State last weekend. He visited KU for Late Night in the Phog on Oct. 16.