Bill Self Talks Health, Team Chemistry, and BYU Showdown Ahead of Kansas-BYU Clash
LAWRENCE - With the spotlight squarely on Allen Fieldhouse for Saturday’s top-15 Big 12 showdown between No. 14 Kansas (15-5, 5-2 Big 12) and No. 13 BYU (17-3, 5-2), Jayhawks head coach Bill Self took a few minutes on ESPN’s “College GameDay” to offer some insight into his mindset, his team, and the matchup ahead.
This one’s got all the ingredients of a March preview - two battle-tested teams with legitimate postseason aspirations, a raucous home crowd, and a pair of freshmen in Darryn Peterson (Kansas) and AJ Dybantsa (BYU) who are already turning heads across the country.
Here’s what stood out from Self’s pregame conversation:
Health Changes Perspective, Not Passion
Self has dealt with some health scares in recent years - enough to force him to miss a road game at Colorado earlier this season. When asked how that’s changed his approach, he didn’t hesitate: he’s learned to let go of the small stuff.
That doesn’t mean he’s checked out or coasting. Far from it.
But where he once might’ve lost sleep over every missed rotation or off-night at the line, he’s now locked in on the essentials - the “meat and potatoes,” as he put it. It’s about focusing on what truly moves the needle, whether that’s team chemistry, defensive execution, or simply making sure his guys are ready to compete.
Why This Team Is Special - Even If It’s Not a Superteam
Self has coached some loaded rosters at Kansas - NBA lottery picks, All-Americans, future pros. This group?
Maybe not quite as star-studded. But it’s got something else: personality.
He sees a team that genuinely enjoys playing together. A group that fans can connect with.
That kind of chemistry doesn’t always show up in a box score, but it matters - especially in a conference as deep and unforgiving as the Big 12. And when March rolls around, teams that like each other tend to stick around longer than ones that don’t.
Darryn Peterson’s Role: From Centerpiece to Complement
Coming into the season, the plan was clear: build around Darryn Peterson. The freshman phenom came in with sky-high expectations, and for good reason. But injuries - most recently an ankle issue - have forced Kansas to adapt on the fly.
What’s impressed Self is how the team has responded in Peterson’s absence. Other players have stepped up.
The offense has evolved. And now, as Peterson works his way back, the challenge is different: it’s not about the team adjusting to him - it’s about him fitting into a group that’s already found its rhythm.
That’s not a knock on Peterson. If anything, it’s a credit to the roster’s depth and growth.
But Self knows this team’s ceiling is tied to Peterson’s presence. If he can blend his talent with the team’s current flow, Kansas becomes a whole lot scarier.
Blocking Out the Noise - Even on GameDay
With ESPN’s cameras in town and the national spotlight shining bright, it’s easy for players - and even coaches - to get swept up in the spectacle. Self’s message? Enjoy it, but don’t let it distract you.
He loves that “College GameDay” is in Lawrence. He’d welcome them back every weekend if he could. But he’s also laser-focused on making sure his team doesn’t lose sight of what really matters: the 40 minutes that start when the ball goes up.
Because BYU isn’t coming in for a photo op - they’re coming to win. And in a league where every game feels like a battle, staying locked in is non-negotiable.
What’s at Stake
This isn’t just another Big 12 matchup. It’s a measuring stick - for both teams.
Kansas is trying to assert itself as a true contender in a loaded conference, especially with Peterson working back into form. BYU, meanwhile, is looking to prove they belong in the upper tier of the league in their first Big 12 campaign.
For Self, it’s about more than rankings or records. It’s about growth, resilience, and building a team that can peak when it matters most. And as the Jayhawks take the floor against a red-hot Cougars squad, all eyes will be on how this group responds.
One thing’s for sure: with Allen Fieldhouse rocking and Bill Self on the sideline, Kansas won’t be short on energy - or expectations.