MONDAY, AUGUST 13, 2007 | BACK TO SCHOOL | WWW.KANSAN.COM THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN | 9
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Self focused on upcoming season
Coach talks about recruiting efforts Rush's recovery, golf game
BY DYLAN SCHOONOVER skills
dschoonover@kansan.com
The pressure-filled rollercoaster of elated fans and nay-saying tournament critics biting at the coat tails of coach Bill Self can leave him little chance to catch his breath during the school year.
The Kansan sat down with coach Self during the summer when his basketball camps had ended and the July recruiting rat race was just about to take form.
Kansan: Where are you at on the recruiting trail right now?
Self: Right now we have five seniors on the team and we certainly could lose two more to the NBA early so we are looking at very large recruiting class — potentially seven to eight scholarships.
Kansan: No coach takes losing well. Every time the Jayhawks lose how long does it take for you to get past it?
Self: You never like to lose, but it depends on how we lost. Sometimes we play really well during a loss, like when we lost to Texas Tech at their place a couple years back, or Georgia Tech in the Elite Eight my first year here. It's not as hard to take those loses because we played solid basketball - just didn't come out with the win.
"It's not as hard to take those loses because we played solid basketball just didn't come out with the win."
BILL SELF
Men's basketball coach
Kansan: This summer, USC's head coach Tim Floyd offered Ryan Boatright, an 8th grade a basketball scholarship. Is that too young? Would you offer a kid that young a scholarship?
Kansan: Rush's injury before the draft eliminated him from being able to try to make the jump to the NBA. What did you tell him to better his spirits?
Self: I think he probably warranted a scholarship. I personally haven't seen this kid. If he had the skills like a Danny Manning, then yeah, I would. I do think it can become too long of a commitment for both sides at that young of an age though.
Self: I told him it's no one's fault. It would have been really bad if it had happened a couple weeks later during draft camps. This way he has the opportunity to come back and address work ethic.
Kansan: Where can Rush get better?
Self: Certainly ball handling and passing. We are going into this year thinking it should be his last. He has the ability to get his own shot if he can just tighten up his handling
K an s a n :
During the summer, Big 12 Commissioner Kevin Weiberg stepped down, how does that affect the Big 12?
Self: Well Kevin served the league very well for nine years. We've got great schools
and great rivalries, the league will be fine. Dan Beebe should be a great commissioner.
Kansan: During the summer you like to play golf, how often do you get to play?
Self: I'd say I play about 30 times. Now that's spread out — it may be 12 times in May, 5 in June and more later on.
Kansan: If you had the chance to play a Pro-Am with a professional golfer who would you choose?
Self: I'd have to say Tiger. I'm totally amazed by his talent level. I'd love to get to see approach and how he handles competition.
Kansan: Did you have a nickname when you were younger?
Self: Still Bill. I don't really know why I was given that but it stuck.
Kansan: Where are you wanting your kids to college?
Self: I want my daughter to go here.
She may branch out since I'm here. If not she wasn't she goes to KU.
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
Men's basketball coach Bill Self enters his fifth season leading the Jayhawks. Under Self, the Jayhawks have advanced to the Elite Eight twice and also claimed three straight Big 12 regular season titles.
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