It was a banner day in Lawrence, and Bill Self didn’t hesitate to say it. From the electric pregame buzz of College GameDay to the first-half fireworks on the court, Kansas delivered a showcase moment for its program-on and off the hardwood.
“This was perfect,” Self said postgame. “GameDay was a great infomercial for our university and athletic department. It was well attended, a lot of energy, and the crowd was everything GameDay said it would be and more.”
And the team? For the first 20 minutes, Kansas looked every bit the part of a national contender.
According to Self, it was “probably the best we played all year.” The ball movement was crisp, the shot selection smart, and the defensive intensity was dialed in.
Bryson and Trey set the tone early, and DP-doing what DP does-anchored the effort with his usual blend of poise and production.
But like many high-level matchups in February, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. The second half turned into a grind, and Kansas had to gut it out down the stretch. Self pointed to fatigue as a major factor.
“We were exhausted on both ends,” he said. “As tired as I’ve seen Flory, Melvin and Mark.
We expended so much energy in the first half that we were a different team late. We were just trying to get to the finish line.”
That exhaustion showed in the scoring drought late in the game, but the Jayhawks still found ways to make key plays. One of the highlights came in the final 20 seconds, when Trey lobbed it up for Flory to finish with authority. Some might question the decision to go for the alley-oop with the game nearly in hand, but Self made it clear: if the opposing team is still pressing with their starters in, Kansas is going to keep playing.
“Of course I’m OK with that,” he said. “Why wouldn’t you try to score?”
Defensively, Flory earned high marks for his work on AJ, one of the most dynamic scorers Kansas has faced this season. Self didn’t hesitate to include Flory among the game’s difference-makers.
“You could say DP or Bryson, but Flory had as much to do with us winning as anybody,” he noted.
Bryson’s performance also stood out, not just statistically, but in terms of mindset. Self praised his aggressiveness and consistency throughout the game.
“He was aggressive the whole game,” Self said. “I didn’t see him floating at all.”
With NBA scouts in the building, there’s always the question of whether players elevate their games. Self believes the answer is yes-at least for the right guys.
“You can’t tell me Flory didn’t love guarding AJ or Bryson didn’t love that matchup,” he said. “There’s individual pride there. Having guys people are watching gives everybody else an opportunity to be seen.”
As for AJ, Self acknowledged the challenge he presents on the offensive end.
“He gets to spots and you just have to contest,” he said. “Try to shrink the floor and limit his good touches.”
One of the more unexpected moments came late, when Melvin hit a tough, off-balance shot. It wasn’t drawn up, but it was necessary.
“We had nothing left in the tank,” Self admitted. “We were just trying to get something good to happen.”
The Jayhawks have shown flashes recently against top-tier competition, and Self believes they’re close to putting it all together-if they can stay healthy.
“On any night we can play with anybody,” he said. “But we need everybody healthy.”
That includes DP, who began cramping during the game. Self said he noticed something was off at halftime.
“He said he was good, but I could see it. He didn’t have the same bounce.”
With a quick turnaround before facing Texas Tech, Kansas won’t be pushing hard in practice. The focus is on recovery.
“Tomorrow is a walkthrough, not a practice,” Self said. “We need to recharge and play Monday without expending much energy before then.”
As for Elmarko and Darryn, Self sounded cautiously optimistic.
“I would think they will [play],” he said. “Marko is getting treatment now and tests were better after the game.”
Former Jayhawk great Paul stopped by to speak with the team briefly, and while it wasn’t a long speech, it was a moment that added to the occasion.
The atmosphere inside Allen Fieldhouse matched the moment. Self called the first half “as good an atmosphere as I can remember,” and for a milestone game in one of college basketball’s most storied venues, that’s saying something.
“It was fabulous,” he said. “A good day for our athletic department and program.”
From the energy in the stands to the grit on the court, Kansas reminded everyone why Allen Fieldhouse is still one of the toughest places to play-and why this team, when locked in, can go toe-to-toe with anyone in the country.