Bill Self lauds KU football team: ‘I watched that game and know it wasn’t an upset’
Bill Self, who has attended nearly every home football game in his 20 years as Kansas men’s basketball coach, cheered enthusiastically on Saturday night, watching livestream as Cobee Bryant raced 86 yards on an interception return that put an exclamation mark on the Jayhawks’ 55-42 overtime victory over West Virginia in Morgantown.
“I think it’s great,” Self said Sunday at the conclusion of the three-day Kansas Fantasy Experience at Allen Fieldhouse.
He was referring not only to the victory in the Big 12 opener for both teams, but the Jayhawks’ 2-0 start to the 2022 season.
“I don’t understand football, (but) I hope I know enough about it. I watched that game and know it wasn’t an upset. Our talent level and players … it looked to me they could put themselves in position to be in every game,” Self added of the Jalon Daniels-led Jayhawks.
KU, which put up 56 points in the opener in a 56-10 win over Tennessee Tech and 55 on Saturday on the road, will meet future Big 12 member Houston at 3 p.m. Saturday in Houston, Texas. Then KU returns for home games against Duke, Iowa State and TCU in successive weeks.
“Football … it’s a great start,” Self said Sunday. “Nothing creates energy on a campus I believe in the fall as football having success.
“Back when we had that thing rolling in football (during the Mark Mangino era), those were the most fun years to be part of because it seemed to me every weekend or every other weekend there always was something to look forward to. I think Lance (Leipold, second-year KU coach) and his staff and players have gotten into a position now the community will do the same,” Self said of local fans supporting football with large crowds during the above-mentioned three-game homestand.
Self attended a practice during training camp and visited with Leipold during the workout.
“The organization, the positivity, the energy, all those things are big positives,” Self said at the time in an interview with football and basketball radio play-by-play announcer Brian Hanni.
“There’s excitement about the new guys (14 were added through the portal to go with the incoming freshman class). There’s excitement whether it be with Neal (Devin, running back who has five touchdowns through two games) or Logan (Kenny, safety, 10 tackles vs. WVU) or whoever of the returning guys.
“We’ve got some guys out there that can not only play, but start at many other Big 12 institutions. We are gaining on it. We are not going to be outworked. We re not going to be outcoached.”
The Danny, Mario, Ochai show
KU coach Self reported on Sunday that there will be some well-known guests taking part in a panel discussion at the upcoming “Coaches vs. Cancer 2022 Rock Chalk Tipoff” to be held the evening of Oct. 5 in the large ballroom at Crown Automotive, 3400 Iowa Street, in Lawrence.
The event, which has been held in Kansas City its first 14 years of existence, is sponsored by the NABC in conjunction with the American Cancer Society. The fundraiser’s presenting sponsors for the event in Lawrence are the University of Kansas Health System and University of Kansas Cancer Center.
College basketball TV analyst Bill Raftery is set to be the event’s emcee.
“We’re going to get MOP’s (most outstanding player) of the last three national championship teams to come back. You are looking at Danny (Manning), Mario (Chalmers) and hopefully Ochai (Agbaji) depending on his schedule,” Self said.
“Ochai just got traded (from NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers to Utah) and it remains to be seen what his schedule looks like. If they (Utah Jazz) have a game that night he wouldn’t be able to be there. We’ve got present players who can be part of the panel that were part of a championship too.
“I”m excited about this event. I think it’ll be a great deal to raise some money for a good cause.”
Information is available at the event Website.
This story was originally published September 12, 2022 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Bill Self lauds KU football team: ‘I watched that game and know it wasn’t an upset’."
