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Articles by Bill Self
Kansas basketball earns surprise crystal ball for All-MAC transfer guard
Bill Self is cooking something up behind the scenes. By Joshua Schulman | Aug 6, 2024 It has appeared for multiple months that the 2024-25 Kansas basketball roster was set in stone. The Jayhawks last earned a commitment from Mississippi State transfer Shakeel Moore in June following Elmarko Jackson's season-ending injury. Since then, fans have been under the premise that this was the team KU would enter the season with. But wait, KU supporters — you might want to hold your breath for this one.
Kansas Jayhawks listed as early winners of 2024 NCAA Basketball transfer portal
Bill Self and the Jayhawks are making waves in the portal By Joshua Schulman | 12:37 PM CDT The Kansas basketball team needed some revamping after the Jayhawks finished the 2023-24 season with one of the worst years in the Bill Self era. Despite entering the campaign as the preseason No. 1 squad, injuries, internal problems, and a lack of outside shooting all contributed to KU's eventual downfall.
Kansas Jayhawks picking up steam with Alabama basketball transfer Rylan Griffen
The Kansas basketball program has already added two guards from the transfer portal this offseason, landing former Florida Gator Riley Kugel and hometown hero Zeke Mayo from South Dakota State. However, the Jayhawks are still zeroing in on wings in the portal after losing Kevin McCullar to graduation and potentially Johnny Furphy to the NBA Draft. Although KU has been linked to a handful of transfers throughout the past few weeks, this player should be someone to watch closely.
🎥 Bill Self Game Week Media Availability - Kansas Jayhawks
Tune in live at approximately 1:40 p.m. CT as head coach Bill Self and select student-athletes preview Kansas' Saturday game at Oklahoma. CT as head coach Bill Self and select student-athletes preview Kansas' Saturday game at Oklahoma.🎥 Bill Self Game Week Media Availability Tune in live at approximately 1:40 p.
Bill Self in 1981: ‘Babylonian Captivity of the Convention’ – Baptist News Global
Editor’s note: In 1984, the Southern Baptist Convention met in Kansas City for what was the sixth year of the so-called “conservative resurgence” that in time captured the leadership structure of the SBC and turned it rightward. The next year, 1985, would see 45,000 messengers descend upon Dallas for one of the most pivotal annual meetings in SBC history.
'We can do this' How Kansas kept hope alive at halftime and powered its way to the 2022 national title
New Orleans — Heads down, but far from out, the top-seeded Kansas men’s basketball team had plenty of ammunition to believe a comeback was possible when it went to the Superdome locker room down by 15 points to North Carolina in Monday night’s national title game. There was the Kansas State game back in January. There was the Miami win in the Elite Eight in Chicago. And, most importantly, there was still 20 minutes remaining. Sure, it might not have looked good.
A look back at some of the more overshadowed moments of Kansas' title-game win over UNC | Tale of the Tait
Kansas forward Jalen Wilson (10) defends against a drive from North Carolina guard Caleb Love (2) during the first half of the NCAA National Championship game on Monday, April 4, 2022 at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. by Nick Krug By now, whether you watched it just once live, have watched a couple of replays since or simply can’t stop watching it at all, you’re well aware of all of the key plays in Monday’s 72-69 win over North Carolina that delivered Kansas the 2022 national title.
Bill Self, Jay Wright agree - 2018 Final Four matchup has no bearing on this year's meeting | Tale of the Tait
Villanova coach Jay Wright, right, talks with Kansas coach Bill Self at the men's Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament Thursday, March 31, 2022, in New Orleans. Kansas will play Villanova on Saturday. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) New Orleans — There have been several recent meetings between Kansas and Villanova that have taken place on some of college basketball’s biggest stages. But no one associated with either program seems to want to talk much about them.
Border Blowout: Junior guard Christian Braun sparks KU's 102-65 win over Missouri
Kansas junior Christian Braun’s final stat line in Saturday’s 102-65 beatdown of Missouri at Allen Fieldhouse was far from special. But his impact was immeasurable. And the fire, passion, intensity and even venom that he brought to the floor in the game’s opening minutes was, by itself, enough to ensure that the eighth-ranked Jayhawks would wind up in the win column in the first game against their bitter border rivals since 2012.
Bill Self, Christian Braun and Ochai Agbaji react to KU's 74-73 loss to Dayton in Orlando | KUsports Video
Bill Self, Christian Braun and Ochai Agbaji react to KU's 74-73 loss to Dayton in Orlando November 26, 2021 at 3:43 p.m.
Bill Self on the good, bad and potential he saw in KU’s opener | KUsports Video
Bill Self on the good, bad and potential he saw in KU’s opener Advertisement Kansas basketball coach Bill Self thought his No. 3 Jayhawks showed some good signs in their season-opening win over Michigan State, but didn’t mind bringing up the “not so good” parts of the game either. Self said Thursday, before KU’s home opener versus Tarleton State, he thought the team executed better than he expected offensively — especially without Jalen Wilson.
Report: Kansas removed from Big 12 Tournament following positive test
Tim Hortons Brier - Championship Pool: Draw 1 - Koe (WC2) vs.
Bill Self on Devon Dotson landing with Chicago Bulls and what Udoka Azubuike will bring to Utah Jazz | KUsports Video
Bill Self on Devon Dotson landing with Chicago Bulls and what Udoka Azubuike will bring to Utah Jazz Advertisement KU big man Udoka Azubuike was drafted No. 27 overall by the Utah Jazz in 2020 NBA draft on Wednesday. Azubuike’s selection ends a one-year drought for the Kansas program, which had no players drafted in 2019, ending a 10-year streak. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported late Wednesday night that Kansas point guard Devon Dotson and the Chicago Bulls had agreed to a free agent contract.
'Bittersweet' NBA draft night for Kansas ends with Azubuike as a first-rounder and Dotson headed to Chicago
Photo by Nick Krug Kansas guard Devon Dotson (1) alerts the defense during the first half on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019 at Allen Fieldhouse. Advertisement Kansas basketball coach Bill Self characterized Wednesday night’s NBA draft as “bittersweet” for fans of the KU program. Early in the night, the Jayhawks watched center Udoka Azubuike land in the first round at No. 27 overall to Utah, proving that all of the hard work he put in during the years — and particularly last season — paid off.
KU's Udoka Azubuike 'speechless' after earning Big 12 player of the year honor
It will go down as a week of firsts for Kansas senior Udoka Azubuike. On Sunday, Azubuike was named the Big 12 Player of the Year by the conference’s coaches, backing up the preseason honor he was given five months ago. On Thursday, Azubuike is scheduled to play in his first ever Big 12 Conference tournament game. “For real,” asked Azubuike during Monday’s press conference after a reporter mentioned the rare fact to him. “Oh, wow.
Jayhawks' outstanding road record should help their psyches during March Madness | Smithology
Kansas guard Marcus Garrett, left, and guard Devon Dotson, right, pressure Baylor forward Freddie Gillespie, center, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Ray Carlin) by Associated Press With the regular season officially behind them, the No. 1-ranked Jayhawks should feel right at home when they’re away from Lawrence this postseason, and not just at their mid-March home in Kansas City, Mo., for the Big 12 Tournament.
Bill Self: Isaiah Moss’ offense and team’s defense allowed KU to recover at WVU | KUsports Video
Bill Self: Isaiah Moss’ offense and team’s defense allowed KU to recover at WVU Advertisement Morgantown, W.Va. — Kansas coach Bill Self was pleased to see his Jayhawks recover for a 58-49 win after an unimpressive first half at West Virginia. “I thought that West Virginia was a lot better than us in the first half — we were awful. We guarded OK, but we didn’t rebound and obviously we couldn’t score,” Self said. “In the second half, I’m not saying we played great, we actually got pretty good looks.
Benton Smith: Udoka Azubuike reclaims the paint just in time for KU
Morgantown, W.Va. — A shift of power in the paint Wednesday night at WVU Coliseum made a massive difference for No. 3 Kansas. With West Virginia freshman big man Oscar Tshiebwe doubling as a force of nature at times in the first half against the Jayhawks, KU would need its own powerful center to come out of hibernation. The active Tshiebwe even outplayed KU senior Udoka Azubuike early on.
No. 3 Kansas rallies past No. 14 West Virginia to earn another tough road win
Morgantown, W.Va. — After years of experiencing late-game collapses in gruesome battles at WVU Coliseum, the Kansas men’s basketball team now knows how it feels to turn the other direction on those “country roads” for which West Virginia is famous. There still were plenty of gruesome moments in the Jayhawks’ 58-49 victory Wednesday night.
Complementary play of Ochai Agbaji easy to overlook | Smithology
Kansas guard Ochai Agbaji shoots against West Virginia during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020, in Morgantown, W.Va. (AP Photo/Kathleen Batten) by Associated Press His name isn’t the first, second or even third to come up in most conversations about the No. 3-ranked Kansas basketball team. Nevertheless, the underappreciated Ochai Agbaji has proven instrumental for the Jayhawks in their pursuit of No. 1 Baylor.
Longtime Bill Self assistant Kurtis Townsend lauds boss' relationship skills after 700th career victory
Fort Worth, Texas — Having been a part of the last 469 victories in what is now a 700-win career for Bill Self, Kansas assistant Kurtis Townsend could only smile for his boss following the Jayhawks’ 60-46 win over TCU on Saturday. “To me, it means a lot just to be by his side for as many as I have,” Townsend told the Journal-World following Self’s 700th win on Saturday. “A guy like me, (I’m) just so happy to be along for the ride.” Townsend has seen it all during his time on Self’s staff.
Bill Self on Udoka Azubuike’s big day and his 700th career win | KUsports Video
Bill Self on Udoka Azubuike’s big day and his 700th career win Advertisement After a 60-46 Jayhawks road win, Bill Self explained how Udoka Azubuike responded to a quick trip to the bench at TCU. Self also shared what happened after he picked up his 700th career coaching victory. “I got a ball,” Self said, “which I’ll keep and everything. Jeff Long gave me a ball. I was surprised he was able to get that done in like seven minutes after the game ended,” he joked, looking at this watch.
Benton Smith: Defensive identity the reason these Jayhawks are elite
Fort Worth, Texas — The Kansas Jayhawks are so good it’s confounding. A college basketball team isn’t supposed to go on the road and win with only two players consistently producing. But, as the Jayhawks reminded everyone yet again in a 60-46 victory at TCU on Saturday, what they do defensively makes them a such a tough out, regardless of their offensive circumstances.
Self, Wright agree there's no clear No. 1 team in college hoops this season
Associated Press Kansas's Devon Dotson, right, cannot make a shot past Villanova's Saddiq Bey during the closing seconds in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019, in Philadelphia. Villanova won 56-55. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) Advertisement Philadelphia — The No. 1 spot at the top of the college basketball polls will remain a revolving door for at least another week thanks to top-ranked Kansas’ 56-55 loss to No. 18 Villanova on Saturday at Wells Fargo Center.
'It was awful': No. 1 Kansas falters late in 56-55 loss at No. 18 Villanova
Philadelphia — Kansas coach Bill Self needed just three words to communicate his thoughts on his team’s late-game execution in Saturday’s 56-55 loss to No. 18 Villanova at Wells Fargo Center. “It was awful,” Self noted. After a grind-it-out affair in which both teams shoot less than 44% and Villanova attempted a school-record 41 3-pointers, the top-ranked Jayhawks found themselves up four with the ball and 71 seconds to play, yet somehow still found a way to lose it.
Notebook: Junior Marcus Garrett injured in KU's road loss to Villanova
Philadelphia — It’s hard enough to try to beat ranked teams on the road with your entire roster in tow. But it’s even tougher to do when you lose your most experienced player and best defender to injury after just 13 minutes. That was the case for No. 1 Kansas during Saturday’s 56-55 loss to No. 18 Villanova at Wells Fargo Center.
KU coach Bill Self defends texts that led to notice of allegations
Kansas City, Mo. — Kansas basketball coach Bill Self on Wednesday defended his text message conversations with now-convicted former Adidas consultant T.J. Gassnola. Without providing new details about the text exchanges that were entered as evidence during the recent federal trial on corruption in college basketball, Self, speaking at Big 12 media day at Sprint Center, explained that he believed the correspondence between him and Gassnola was nothing out of the ordinary.
Report: Kansas receives notice of allegations from NCAA
LAWRENCE, Kan. — The University of Kansas received a notice of allegations from the NCAA on Monday that alleges significant violations within its storied men's basketball program, including a responsibility charge levelled against Hall of Fame coach Bill Self. The notice includes three Level 1 violations tied primarily to recruiting and cites a lack of institutional control.
Quentin Grimes' flashes of potential raise familiar question | Smithology
Kansas guard Quentin Grimes (5) goes around Michigan State guard Matt McQuaid (20) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Champions Classic on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018, in Indianapolis. Kansas won. 92-87. As the Kansas basketball team keeps trying to leap up and reach its seemingly elusive ceiling, a recurring question persists. When will freshman Quentin Grimes become the assertive, effective perimeter player the Jayhawks need him to be?
Benton Smith: No. 9 Jayhawks can put marquee loss behind them
Lexington, Ky. — Pretend for a second like Saturday night never happened. Congratulations. You’re now thinking like a Jayhawk. No. 9-ranked Kansas played against one of the nation’s other most powerful programs, No. 8 Kentucky, inside one of college basketball’s most recognizable venues, Rupp Arena. And KU’s players left the SEC/Big 12 Challenge’s main event in need of some selective amnesia. Forget that Kentucky won, 71-63.
Kansas' Bill Self: Villanova's Colin Gillespie 'a terrific college player' | Boyer on the Beat
Kansas' Bill Self: Villanova's Colin Gillespie 'a terrific college player' Posted by Zac Boyer March 31, 2022 at 11:38 p.m. Villanova's Collin Gillespie plays during a men's college basketball game against Ohio State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in Pittsburgh on March 20, 2022. by Gene J.
Lagerald Vick Benching For Kansas Basketball vs. Wofford Explained By Bill Self
December 6, 2018 @ 12:24pm » Dan Lyons Bill Self Explains Benching Star Lagerald Vick WICHITA, KS - MARCH 17: Lagerald Vick #2 of the Kansas Jayhawks reacts as they take on the Seton Hall Pirates in the first half during the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at INTRUST Bank Arena on March 17, 2018 in Wichita, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) Kansas basketball is rolling along to start the 2018-19 season.
Tom Keegan: How Bill Self has grown as coach the past three years
Bill Self’s basketball teams always have been known to play tough defense, but in recent seasons, it sunk in to me that what they actually do best is play with an extreme degree of confidence offensively. I attributed noticing that more than ever last season to one of two factors: either an experienced roster made it obvious or it's just taking things a while to weave through the clutter in my brain and take root.
Jay Wright, Bill Self weigh in on idea of KU-Villanova as de facto championship game | Smithology
San Antonio — When No. 1 and No. 2 seeds began dropping out of the South and West regionals before the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16, it became clear The Madness was intent on devouring the left side of the bracket. So by the time a team emerged from each region as a Final Four participant, one national semifinal quickly became characterized as the undercard.
Bill Self on Jayhawks’ focus and status of international family members trying to attend Final Four | KUsports Video
San Antonio — After deboarding the bus at the team’s hotel Wednesday night, Kansas coach Bill Self, back at the Final Four for the first time since 2012, said his players seem focused headed into a national semifinal versus Villanova. “Today was good,” Self said of KU’s practice in Lawrence, before the team headed to Texas. “Considering two days off, effort was good, attitude’s good.
Jayhawks arrive in San Antonio ready to make 'new memories'
San Antonio — It sounded more like a home game than a hotel arrival. With dozens of staff members and KU fans lined up in all corners of the San Antonio Marriott Riverwalk lobby on Wedndesday evening, the Jayhawks officially arrived at the Final Four. With smiles on their faces and eyes wide open to take in everything that is Day 1 at the Final Four, the Jayhawks rolled off the bus one by one and made their way to their rooms. If all goes well, the room numbers will be ones they remember forever.
Tigers always trust Brownell's preparation will give them chance to win
Omaha, Neb. — Through the course of any given season, when Clemson coach Brad Brownell isn’t preparing his Tigers for the next opponent on their schedule, he inevitably checks in on other college basketball games. During the past several months it wasn’t uncommon for Brownell to find himself watching Kansas, his Tigers’ Sweet 16 opponent Friday night at CenturyLink Center. “I’ve seen them because they're on TV so much. And again I watch games a lot.
Bill Self: Tigers and Jayhawks have similar backcourts | KUsports Video
Omaha, Neb. — During the NCAA Tournament it’s common for coaches and players to compare an upcoming opponent to a team they faced earlier in the season. Asked Thursday at CenturyLink Center whether Clemson reminded him of any team Kansas took on this year, head coach Bill Self explained the No. 5 seed Tigers actually look similar to the Jayhawks.
KU's Lagerald Vick riding high heading into NCAA Tournament's second weekend
Omaha, Neb. — When it comes to assessing the reason why the top-seeded Kansas basketball team is still alive this postseason and set to take on Clemson on Friday night at CenturyLink Center, plenty of things come to mind. The emergence of Malik Newman and quick recovery of Udoka Azubuike's injured left knee sit at the top of the list. The veteran play and presence provided by point guard Devonte' Graham and sharp-shooter Svi Mykhailiuk also has received some attention.
Blue Devils not surprised to see Tigers reach Sweet 16 | Smithology
Omaha, Neb. – Their teams only squared off once this season in the ACC, but Duke’s players left their lone encounter with Clemson impressed by the Tigers. Ahead of Clemson’s Sweet 16 matchup with Kansas, a pair of potential Blue Devils lottery picks shared their thoughts about one of the ACC’s lesser-known basketball commodities.
Clemson big Elijah Thomas ready to battle KU's Udoka Azubuike
Omaha, Neb. — As well as Clemson’s starting guards Shelton Mitchell, Gabe DeVoe and Marcquise Reed have played on the perimeter, directing the program to its first Sweet 16 appearance since 1997, the Tigers think their starting center could hold the key to toppling Kansas. A 6-foot-9, 237-pound junior, Elijah Thomas might not possess the height or bulk of the Jayhawks’ 7-foot, 280-pound Udoka Azubuike.
Tom Keegan: Udoka encouraged by pace of knee recovery
Omaha, Neb. — The moment Kansas center Udoka Azubuike earned 100 percent credibility on the topic of the fitness of his left knee was the moment he answered the question as to whether he had recovered 100 percent. “Obviously, not 100 percent, but I’m getting there,” Azubuike said from his locker chair. He had no reason to lie. He’s feeling a lot better, and is encouraged enough by the truth that he need not resort to trying to convince himself he’s better off than he really is.
Notebook: Guard-heavy attacks will be key for both KU and Clemson
Omaha, Neb. — In the first round, it was upset-minded 16 seed Penn. In the second, it was monster power forward Angel Delgado. It's true that things are supposed to get harder as the NCAA Tournament moves along. And that may still prove to be the case for top-seeded Kansas. But even if Friday's Sweet 16 showdown with fifth-seeded Clemson turns out to be a duel to the death, the Jayhawks figure to be much more comfortable with this matchup than the two that got them here. The reason?
Bill Self on preparing for Clemson, KU’s health | KUsports Video
Omaha, Neb. — Shortly after his Kansas basketball team arrived at its hotel Wednesday night, coach Bill Self said his top-seeded Jayhawks are as healthy as they have been all season, ahead of their Sweet 16 matchup with Clemson. What’s more, Self said 7-foot KU center Udoka Azubuike has been participating at full speed. “Now, his timing may not be great,” Self warned of Azubuike, who recently sprained the MCL in his left knee, “but his health is good.
Tom Keegan: Clemson thriving in the shadows of giants
Omaha, Neb. — Clemson just might be the least talked about school in the Sweet 16 field for a variety of reasons, none of which have anything to do with the quality of the team that will face Kansas on Friday night. The Tigers play for football national championships, not basketball. They lack the blue-blood appeal of Duke, Kansas and Kentucky.
1 or 11: It's up to Jayhawks how many days are left in their season | Smithology
Omaha, Neb. — As top-seeded Kansas enters its Sweet 16 matchup with Clemson, a board on a wall inside the Jayhawks’ locker room back home feels more relevant than ever. Sometimes it is referenced, other times just thought of but unmentioned. Either way, it has been on the minds of KU’s players this week. The essence of the board inside Allen Fieldhouse traveled easily to CenturyLink Center.
Bill Self on Malik Newman as sixth man and Silvio De Sousa’s potential
Bill Self on Malik Newman as sixth man and Silvio De Sousa’s potential January 12, 2018 at 11:33 a.m. Kansas basketball coach Bill Self explains how Malik Newman has handled his sixth man role and just how much the Jayhawks trust freshman Silvio De Sousa to play in tight games, once he is cleared to play.
Bill Self on KU’s execution, narrow win over Nebraska
LINCOLN, Neb. — It wasn’t a perfect game for KU, but the result couldn’t have been any better for the No. 13-ranked Jayhawks. After dropping back-to-back games, the Jayhawks were able to swing things in their direction in a game in which coach Bill Self said his team didn’t execute especially well, at least until the end. "Certainly we executed pretty good on that last one,” Self said of Svi Mykhailiuk’s game winner over Nebraska.
Saturday Squeaker: Azubuike's career night lifts Jayhawks past Nebraska
Lincoln, Neb. — During the week leading up to Saturday's Nebraska game, one that followed back-to-back losses to Washington and Arizona State, Kansas coach Bill Self and the Jayhawks implored sophomore center Udoka Azubuike to do more. By the end of Saturday's 73-72 squeaker over Nebraska at Pinnacle Bank Arena, the biggest thing on the minds of the 13th-ranked Jayhawks was whether Azubuike was better on offense or defense.
KU coach Bill Self joins the #VoteMoose craze
July 4, as you well know, is known as Independence Day in the United State of America, but there’s a developing situation for another, lesser-known holiday a couple of days later. Thanks to the last-chance vote for this year’s Major League Baseball All Star Game, July 6 might forever be known as Moose Day.
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