4B
BRACKET BASH
KANSAN.COM
+
+
Bill Self talks awards, NCAA Tournament and Big 12 Tournament in weekly press conference
Missy Minear/KANSAN
Kansas Coach Bill Self talks to a player on the bench during a game.
SCOTT CHASEN
@SChasenKU
Kansas coach Bill Self addressed the media Monday at his weekly press conference. Here's a look at the various topics he discussed, ranging from the importance of the NCAA tournament vs. the Big 12 Tournament to some awards that have already been handed out.
On winning AP Big 12
Coach of the Year...
On Monday, the AP announced Bill Self was named Big 12 Coach of the Year. Self said he appreciated the award, but he would've gone in a different direction.
“It's nice. Certainly I appreciate it,” Self said. "[But The AP] didn't get it right this time either. Tubby [Smith, coach at Texas Tech,I should've won it."
Self pegged West Virginia coach Bob Huggins as his second choice for
coach of the year, saying the award was more about outperforming expectations than anything else. He reaffirmed that he thought the media got it wrong, congratulating Smith on being named Big 12 Coach of the Year by the league.
"It's not easy to stay at the top; it's not easy at all. But it's a lot harder to get [to the] top." Self said. "For those guys to do what they've done with their programs — and know that this isn't a one-year award; this
is a culmination of multiple years — I think speaks volume for those guys."
On what he likes about KU
Asked what he's proud about with the team, Self said there are a couple of things that he really enjoys, one of which is the team's propensity to win close games.
"I think they're pretty tough in crucial situations." Self said. "They usually not always, usually — rise to the level of what needs be done at that particular moment."
As for the other thing that makes Self proud, he says its about the bond the team shares.
Kansas is 13-1 in games decided by 10 or fewer points this season.
"They like each other," Self said. "They seem to be very unselfish and care more about their teammates than they appear to care about themselves."
On the importance of the Big 12 Tournament...
Kansas will be the oneseed in the Big 12 Tournament and would seem to be the odds-on favorite in the event. However, Self downplayed the importance of the tournament, saying that losing in the semifinals could actually be better than making the finals.
then you've got to win," Self said. "If you don't get to the finals and win, you're almost better off not getting to the finals. You get an extra day of rest."
"If you get to the finals,
This time last year, Perry Ellis was at about 50 percent, Self said. He said with Joel Embiid's injury two years ago, the team hasn't been healthy going into March for a while now, which means he won't be pushing any players harder than he needs to.
If you get to the finals,then you've got to win [...] If you don't get to the finals and win, you're almost better off not getting to the finals. You get an extra day of rest."
"It is important [...] I will not take away the importance of it to our team," Self said. "But deep down in my core, I know it's not as important as being prepared
Bill Self Kansas Coach
to play the next week."
On the NCAA Tournament
Right now, the Big 12 is projected to have seven of its 10 teams in the NCAA tournament. Self said he agrees with that projection, specifically with regard to the seventh team: Texas Tech.
"I think Tech is in regardless," Self said about the Big 12 Tournament having implications on the NCAA Tournament. "And I certainly think the other six are safe."
Talking about Kansas, Self said he felt the team is in about as good a position as they've ever been in going into the tournament.
"I feel confident about that," Self said about Kansas' chances of getting a one-seed. "I sense that we've put ourselves in a pretty good position."
However, to Self, the difference between a one-seed and a two-seed isn't all that much. Instead, he said it's crucial for the team to get the right matchups on the path to the Final Four.
"It's really not [that important]. It's more important to match up." Self said. "Being a one seed comes with extra attention, extra scrutiny [and] extra pressure than sometimes not being a one seed, but I don't really think it makes that much of a difference."
Missu Minear/KANSAN
Junior guard Wayne Selden Jr. talks to junior guard Frank Mason III in the second half against West Virginia.
All five Kansas starters earn All-Big 12 honors
▶ SCOTT CHASEN
@SChasenKU
On Sunday, the Big 12 Conference announced its award recipients. Five different Kansas players received honors; three made either the All-Big 12 First Team or Big 12 All-Defensive Team.
Senior forward Perry Ellis
Despite coaches praising Ellis for his improved defense, he did not make the All-Defensive team. Kansas did have two representatives there, including junior guard Frank Mason III and sophomore guard Devonte' Graham.
Ellis was named to the All-Big 12 First Team for the second consecutive year. He was one of three unanimous selections for the first team, along with Oklahoma guard Buddy Hield and Iowa State forward Georges Niang.
Junior guard Frank Mason III
Mason was named to the All-Big 12 Second Team for the second-consecutive year. The junior finished the regular season averaging 13.4 points, 4.6 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game, shooting better than 40 percent from three for the second consecutive year.
After a blazing start to the year, Selden slowed down a bit in conference play, averaging just 11.3 points and 2.2 assists per game. Still, that was good enough to earn a spot on the All-Big 12 Second Team.
Mason was also named to the Big 12 All-Defensive Team. Ahead of the second game against Oklahoma, senior guard Buddy Hield said Mason was the best defender that guarded him all season.
Junior guard Wayne Selden Jr.
Selden received a lot of buzz coming into the season, landing a spot on the Sporting News Preseason All-American Second Team.
Sophomore guard Devonte' Graham
Graham received votes for the All-Big 12 teams, eventually ending up as an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention. Graham is one of four Kansas players averaging double-digits in scoring.
He's second on the team in assists with 3.5 per game.
Additionally, like Mason, Graham was also named to the Big 12 All-Defensive Team. Back on Feb. 14, he held Hield to just 5-of-15 shooting as Kansas pulled off the upset on the road. In the first half, Hield shot 0-of-6 from the floor; it was the only time this year he failed to record a made shot in a half.
Junior forward Landen Lucas
The most surprising AllBig 12 Honorable Mention selection, Lucas, has averaged 5.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game since the start of conference play. Those numbers balloon to 11.4 points and 14.7 rebounds when projected out to per 40 averages.
Throughout the season, Kansas has started four different players at center: seniors Hunter' Mickelson and Jamari Traylor, Lucas and freshman forward Check Diallo. However, since Lucas took over the starting spot, he's run away with the job, evident by the postseason honor.
- Edited by Sam Davis
ACCIDENTS HAPPEN SALLY G. KELSEY ATTY (785) 842-5116, strole-kelseylaw.com
4