Kansas’ early-season surge has already given Bill Self plenty to like, but the part that seems to stand out most to him is the way this group responds when he turns up the heat.
After the Jayhawks rolled past No. 24 Kentucky by 20 points for their first marquee win of the 2026-27 season, Self spent a little time with The Field of 68 podcast crew, where former KU assistant Norm Roberts was among the hosts.
The win itself was a statement: Kansas looked composed, disciplined and in control from start to finish. But Self’s comments afterward pointed to something deeper than one big night.
“These guys like to be coached hard,” Self said. “In today’s time, I think I’ve always coached guys pretty hard, but looking back at it, I think it’s gotten away from me a little bit. You can be demanding as hell, you can ask them to do anything, and as long as they know you like them and know you trust them, it makes it so much easier.”
That’s the kind of roster Self appears to be enjoying most - one that doesn’t flinch when the coaching gets direct. He said the group wants to learn, even with so many new pieces, and that the presence of depth makes that easier to manage.
“And this group, they want to learn,” Self continued. “Even though it’s totally new, they’re eager to learn. Something else that really helps kids being coachable is when you have a little depth, because you don’t have to play the guy.”
That depth has been obvious through the first handful of games. Kansas has a real collection of quality players from top to bottom, and it’s been a while since a KU team has had this many capable options across the roster. The mix of young talent and experienced veterans has helped create a group that can absorb tough coaching and still keep moving forward.
Self’s knee-replacement surgery before the season has kept him a little less active on the sideline than usual, but his enthusiasm for this team still comes through clearly. He has already praised Purdue transfer Trey Kaufman-Renn as one of the smartest players he’s ever coached, and players like Melvin Council Jr. and Tre White have shown they’re receptive to his style as well.
The depth also changes the tone in practice and in games. When minutes aren’t handed out automatically, players on the second unit have to earn everything, and that pushes the whole group to stay locked in to the system.
Self knows there won’t be many nights as easy as the one against Kentucky. Even so, his confidence in this team is obvious. For now, the biggest reason he likes this Kansas squad may be the simplest one: they take coaching, and they take it well.
In Other News...
Kansas Freshmen Just Gave Fans A Dangerous Glimpse Against Kentucky
A nationally televised win over Kentucky gave Kansas fans an early look at what this freshman class can do when it starts clicking. Tyran Stokes set the tone with 23 points and four three-pointers, while Taylen Kinney kept the offense moving with eight assists in an 89-69 rout that felt as much about promise as it did about the final margin.
For Jayhawks supporters, the most interesting part may be where this goes next. Both Stokes and Kinney were heavily recruited by Kentucky, and they made a point of showing their value in a game that carried plenty of attention beyond the box score. If this is the kind of impact Kansas can get from its freshmen this early, the rest of the season could get very interesting in a hurry. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas Just Sent An Early Warning To The Rest Of College Basketball
The Champions Classic offered an early snapshot of where the college basketball powers stand, and Kansas left Madison Square Garden with the kind of win that tends to travel. While Michigan States upset of Duke grabbed plenty of attention, the Jayhawks handled Kentucky and reinforced why they are already being viewed as a team with the look of a serious national contender. It was the sort of opening-night result that can shape the conversation around a program before conference play even begins.
For Kansas, the win also came against a Kentucky team that still has obvious questions to sort through, especially at point guard and at power forward. Duke, meanwhile, was left to regroup after an uneven offensive showing despite its talent, while Emoni Bates continued to draw eyes as one of the early NBA draft names to watch with his improved outside shooting and assertive style. For the Jayhawks, the bigger takeaway is simple: they did not just survive a marquee stage, they used it to send a message. [Read more 🡒]
Tyran Stokes Just Gave Kansas Fans A Reason To Dream
Tyran Stokes gave Kansas plenty to feel good about in the Champions Classic, turning in a 23-point, 10-rebound effort in an 89-69 win over Kentucky. The freshman forward looked comfortable in a big setting, and Bill Self pointed to the way Stokes handled his emotions while still staying effective from start to finish.
For Stokes, the matchup carried extra weight. He grew up in Louisville and was recruited by Kentucky, so the stage had a little more meaning than most November games, and he said as much afterward while crediting his coaches for the confidence he showed in his shooting. For Kansas, the encouraging part is not just the performance itself, but the possibility that a young player already looks ready for nights when the spotlight is brightest. [Read more 🡒]