Landen Lucas, Jamari Traylor sit as precaution

Kansas forward Landen Lucas (33) fights for a loose ball with Harvard guard Patrick Steeves (10) under the bucket during the second half, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015 at Allen Fieldhouse.

Kansas University big men Landen Lucas (sprained big toe) and Jamari Traylor (ankle sprain) missed Wednesday’s game against Holy Cross for precautionary reasons.

“They got the shaft tonight in some respects because they could have played. I didn’t see any reason to do it,” KU coach Bill Self said after the Jayhawks’ 92-59 win. “You play five minutes each and turn an ankle or do something like that. We need everybody full strength.

“We also wanted to use … Hunter (Mickelson) hadn’t had a chance to play and Cheick (Diallo) hadn’t had a chance to play substantial minutes. I wanted to see them in substantial minutes, which is hard to do when you are rotating two more guys in there. They (Lucas, Traylor) have both played very well so far this year. They are nicked up.”

Mickelson made his first start at KU. He had two rebounds, two blocks, two steals and two assists in 15 minutes.

Diallo had 12 points off 4-of-7 shooting (4-4 from line) with four rebounds, one block and four turnovers in 18 minutes.

“I thought he (Mickelson) was fine. The way they played the first half there were not a lot of inside touches,” Self said.

“They packed it in and switched everything in their little matchup. We shot a lot of threes (hitting 12 of 20). He didn’t get a lot of touches for shots (0-for-1). He got a lot of deflections, blocked a couple shots. It was a game not anybody looked really good or in great rhythm. The way they (Crusaders) play they don’t allow you to get in great rhythm.”

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