OFF THE RIM
CUTTING THE CORDLESS
Often before big games, coaches take their players’ phones in hopes of minimizing distraction and to keep them rested and focused. It’s a little extreme, and perhaps a little oppressive. But players at Nebraska, seeking its first NCAA tournament win today, didn’t have to be asked. Cornhuskers coach Tim Miles said Thursday in San Antonio star sophomore Terran Petteway told him, “Coach, tonight, 8 o’clock, you’re taking our phones.” Said Miles: “I think that’s a pretty good mind-set. ... They are locked in, and they’re here to win.”
EMBIID CONFIRMED OUT
Joel Embiid, the 7-foot freshman center for South Region No. 2 seed Kansas who has missed four games with a stress fracture in his lower back, won’t play this weekend. Coach Bill Self didn’t say Embiid will play if Kansas survives this week
end, but he’s hopeful. If Kansas advances, Self said he is very optimistic Embiid can return to practice next week. “If that is the case, there would be a chance he can play,” Self said.