Bill Self’s Absence from Game Against Colorado

Bill Self, the head coach of the No. 19 Kansas men’s basketball team, did not travel with the squad to Boulder, Colorado, for Tuesday’s game against Colorado. He was hospitalized on Monday as a precautionary measure after feeling unwell. A statement from the athletic department revealed that Self received IV fluids at LMH Health and is now feeling better. However, he did not accompany the team to Boulder.

The university has not provided further details regarding whether Self will be available to travel for the game or if an interim coach will take his place. This situation has raised questions about the team’s management during this critical period.

Health History and Impact on Team Strategy

Self has faced several health challenges related to his heart in recent years. Last July, he had two stents inserted following discomfort. In March 2023, he was hospitalized due to chest tightness, which led to missing Kansas’ Big 12 and NCAA tournament appearances. The same procedure of inserting two stents was performed at that time.

Despite these challenges, Self has maintained a strong presence in the team’s strategy. His approach to the game has shifted towards a more streamlined rotation. This strategy was evident in Kansas’ consecutive dominant home wins over then-No. 2 Iowa State and Baylor last week. These victories helped elevate Kansas back into the AP Top 25 this week.

In the 84-63 win over Iowa State and the 80-62 victory over Baylor, Self limited his rotation to seven players. This decision seems to have paid off, as the team played more efficiently with fewer players on the court.

Key Players and Rotational Strategy

Flory Bidunga, Melvin Council Jr., Darryn Peterson, Bryson Tiller, and Tre White started for Kansas (13-5, 3-2 Big 12) against Baylor. Jamari McDowell and Elmarko Jackson were the primary reserves. Self used only these seven players against Iowa State.

Jayden Dawson (six minutes) and Kohl Rosario (almost two minutes) played minimal roles as deep reserves in the win over Baylor. Rosario, a 6-foot-6 freshman guard, has six starts and averages 14.9 minutes per game. He is shooting 25.5% from 3-point range and 40.9% overall. Despite his low shooting percentage, Self expressed confidence in Rosario’s attitude and commitment.

“Kohl’s got the best attitude and everything,” Self said. “By no means are we giving up on him.”

Colorado’s Struggles and Adjustments

Colorado (12-6, 2-3) enters the game on a three-game losing streak after initially winning the first two conference games. Their most recent loss came at the hands of West Virginia, 72-61. Coach Tad Boyle, who played at Kansas under Larry Brown, emphasized the need for resilience.

“We got to keep fighting and scratching and clawing,” Boyle said. “I told our team this … that I think you can be getting better in this league and improving as a team.”

Until the West Virginia game, Boyle had consistently started the same lineup all season: Barrington Hargress (13.7 points per game), Sebastian Rancik (13.2), Bangot Dak (11.4), Elijah Malone (5.9), and Felix Kossaras (5.8). However, the team’s leading scorer, Isaiah Johnson (15.8 points per game), who shoots 51.6% from the field and 44.3% from 3-point range, was inserted into the starting five for the first time against West Virginia. Johnson scored 12 points in a season-high 37 minutes.

Additional Insights

Kansas legend Danny Manning serves as an assistant coach for Colorado, adding an interesting layer to the matchup. As the teams prepare for their contest, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how both sides adjust to the challenges they face.

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