KU experiencing some bumps, bruises

Injured Kansas guard Devonte Graham, center, and the rest of the bench react to a steal and a bucket by point guard Frank Mason during the first half against UNLV on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015 at Allen Fieldhouse.

• Box score

Kansas University sophomore Brannen Greene missed one three-pointer in his eight-minute stint in KU’s 76-61 win over UNLV on Sunday in Allen Fieldhouse.

He’s been slowed by a sore neck.

“It’s been bothering him a while,” coach Bill Self said, noting there is no structural damage. “Sometimes he wakes up and it feels better than other days. There’s nothing structural we can do with it except just rehab. He had his best practice he’s had all year (Saturday). I thought he was going to play great today. Before the game he said, ‘Coach, I don’t even think I can play.’ He wanted to give it a shot. He wasn’t himself moving. We wanted to try it. It didn’t work out very well.”

Sophomore guard Frank Mason III rubbed his right leg at various junctures during the game.

“I got hit in my shin. It was sore from last game. It brought back a little bit of pain from last game,” he said.

Also, sophomore Tyler Self didn’t suit up for the game because of a concussion sustained at a recent practice. He’s expected to return to action soon.

Landen Lucas did not play, while Svi Mykhailiuk was used two minutes (coaches decision). Eight players were used.

“Landen has played great. Hunter (Mickelson) has been good at practice, but those three big guys today played (really well),” Self said of Perry Ellis, Jamari Traylor and Cliff Alexander. “We were up 13-4 in large part because of Jamari. Obviously the second half he changed the whole game from a momentum standpoint with his energy. Perry was solid and good; Cliff solid and good. I didn’t see any reason to go deeper than those guys.”

Of the rotation in league play, Self said: “A lot depends on Devonté (Graham, sprained right big toe). We’ll let you know if he can get on the court moving forward. That would change our team. I’d like to see Svi and Brannen both play well. If we were able to get that done we have five really good perimeter players and five capable bigs. The reality is you will play three bigs with the fourth spot minutes and play four perimeter players with the fifth spot minutes for the most part. I think we are really close to figuring that out.”