Kansas' Joel Embiid seeking a second opinion from a back specialist

Kansas center Joel Embiid boarded a plane on Sunday and flew to Los Angeles, seeking a second opinion from a back specialist in the area.

The injury, though, is certainly cause for concern as No. 8 Kansas prepares for the postseason. Self said Sunday that Embiid’s injury is more “significant” than a lower-back strain, the term used last week when KU announced Embiid would miss regular-season games against Texas Tech and West Virginia. Self wouldn’t disclose the specific lower-back injury or condition plaguing Embiid, but he remains hopeful Embiid will be in position to be healthy for the NCAA Tournament.

“It’s nothing where he won’t be feeling great in four weeks with some rest,” Self said. “But we don’t have four weeks.

Embiid is averaging 11.2 points and 8.1 rebounds while setting the KU freshman record with 72 blocks. He was selected the Big 12 coaches’ defensive player of the year on Sunday.