Kansas Head Coach Bill Self Talks Energy, Growth, and What’s Ahead
Kansas head coach Bill Self met with the media this week and touched on a wide range of topics, from the team’s recent uptick in energy to the challenges of a tight Big 12 schedule. With the Jayhawks sitting at 7-2 in conference play, Self offered a candid look at where things stand - and where they could go - as the season heads into its most critical stretch.
A Spark Reignited
There’s no question Kansas is playing with more juice lately. Self acknowledged that the team’s energy has taken a noticeable turn for the better.
“We’re playing better,” he said. “Guys seem to be enjoying it more.
I think attitudes have been good. I don’t think they were ever bad - just kind of blah.”
That “blah” has turned into a more energized, connected group on the floor. And as Self put it plainly, “Winning is more fun than not winning.” That joy is showing up in how the Jayhawks are competing - harder, smarter, and with more cohesion.
Flory’s Rise: Defense Leading the Way
One of the biggest individual developments has been the growth of forward Flory. While Self didn’t dive into the stat sheet, he didn’t need to - the improvement is obvious, especially on the defensive end.
“He’s guarding everybody,” Self said. “He’s really improved his perimeter defense - not lunging, not gambling, just keeping his body between his man and the basket.”
Offensively, Flory’s confidence is growing too. Self pointed to plays where Flory attacked off the bounce from the perimeter - something that wasn’t part of his game earlier in the year.
The result? A more complete, more aggressive player who’s making a real impact on both ends.
“You should be better when you go from being a part-time player to a starter,” Self said. “He’s certainly doing a nice job. He’s having a nice year.”
Bench Production: A Work in Progress
Kansas hasn’t been getting eye-popping numbers from its bench lately, and Self isn’t sugarcoating that. But he also doesn’t think the situation is as dire as it might seem on paper.
“Bench points are really important if your starters aren’t scoring,” he said. “Marco isn’t himself right now because he’s nicked up, Jamari didn’t make shots that game, and Cole didn’t. We’d love to get more production off the bench.”
Still, Self pointed out that when the team has needed a spark, someone from the bench has usually delivered. It’s not just about scoring - it’s about timely contributions. And with limited minutes to go around, he emphasized that the numbers can be misleading.
Injury Watch: Elmarko’s Status Uncertain
Elmarko’s health remains a question mark heading into the weekend. Self confirmed that the guard was unable to practice the day prior and would be “limited at best” in the next session. Whether he suits up for Saturday’s game will hinge on whether he can get a full practice in beforehand.
Scouting Elite Scorers
Kansas will face some serious firepower in its upcoming matchup. Self singled out Brown as a natural scorer who can hurt you in multiple ways - off the catch, from deep, off the dribble, and in the midrange.
“You’ve got to guard ball screens in certain ways because they can score behind it,” Self said, underlining the challenge of defending a versatile offensive threat.
Kohl’s Role and the Reality of College Pressure
Freshman Kohl continues to earn praise for his effort and attitude. Self said what stands out is how consistently Kohl brings it - in games and in practice.
“He’s going to make some shots. He’s a good shooter,” Self said.
“In high school, you can take seven shots to find a rhythm. In college, you might get two - and you’ve got to make one of two.”
That’s a big adjustment, but Self likes how Kohl is handling it. He’s a key piece in Kansas’ quest to get more from its second unit.
The Saturday-Monday Gauntlet
Quick turnarounds are part of Big 12 life, and Self didn’t downplay the difficulty of playing elite teams with just one day of prep.
“Saturday-Monday games aren’t easy,” he said. “That makes the schedule harder than what analytics might say, but it’s good preparation to make your team tougher.”
It’s a grind, but one that pays dividends come March.
Managing Fatigue and Building for the Postseason
Conditioning is trending in the right direction, according to Self. He believes players like Tre and Melvin could “play all day,” and others are catching up. But he also noted that postseason basketball has different rhythms - with longer timeouts and more controlled pacing - which can mitigate fatigue to some extent.
Still, depth matters - especially when foul trouble or injuries come into play.
No Holding Back for Monday
When it comes to managing minutes across back-to-back games, Self made one thing clear: Kansas isn’t going to coast on Saturday to save legs for Monday.
“We’re not going to sacrifice Saturday to rest people for Monday,” he said. “We’ll play to win Saturday and worry about Monday after that.”
That said, the preparation for both games starts earlier in the week. Self emphasized the importance of being ready to go five days in a row - mentally and physically - to handle the demands of this stretch.
Big 12 Positioning: Still in the Mix
Kansas sits at 7-2 in Big 12 play, and Self sees both the positives and the room for improvement.
“We were certainly better the last six games than the first three,” he said. “Could we be better than 7-2?
Yes. Could we be worse?
Yes.”
The Jayhawks aren’t leading the pack just yet, but they’re right in the thick of the race - and Self believes they have the potential to climb.
Utah Rematch on the Horizon
Last season’s loss to Utah still lingers, but Self isn’t framing this as a revenge game.
“We won’t talk about revenge,” he said. “But we’ll talk about how they handled us last year and we can’t let that happen again.”
Utah’s guards, in particular, have Self’s attention. “If they get hot, they can win a game for you,” he said.
Late-Game Execution and Teamwork
Darryn’s two clutch threes late in a recent game weren’t just about shot-making - they were the result of solid execution. Self noted that both shots were clean looks, thanks to teammates like Melvin and Flory setting screens and making the right reads.
“You could credit either one,” he said. It’s a reminder that big moments are often built on the little things.
Melvin’s Future and NCAA Waivers
Asked about the possibility of Melvin Council Jr. returning next season, Self didn’t have a definitive answer but made his feelings known.
“Would I love that? Absolutely.
I love coaching him,” he said. Still, he acknowledged the NCAA’s current stance on waivers makes it a tough road.
Peaking at the Right Time?
As for what this team could look like in a few weeks, Self is cautiously optimistic.
“Do I think we can be really good by late February or early March? Yes,” he said.
“Do we have to get better and be healthy? Yes.
If we’re whole, this team’s capable of doing some damage.”
That’s the goal - not just to compete, but to make noise when it matters most.
Supporting the Women’s Team
With a men’s and women’s doubleheader on tap, Self made a point to encourage fans to stick around and support the women’s squad.
“They had a big win last night,” he said. “Hopefully that gives them momentum.”
Early Enrollment: Pros and Cons
Bringing players in early has its benefits, but Self was honest about the trade-offs.
“It didn’t hurt, but I’d rather have a guy healthy in high school than hurt here sitting,” he said. “Being hurt may have stunted his development more than being here helped.”
Still, the exposure to college-level practices, expectations, and the daily grind can lay the foundation for long-term growth.
Kansas is hitting its stride, but the road ahead is anything but easy. With a deep Big 12 slate, health concerns, and postseason aspirations all in play, Self knows the margin for error is slim. But if the Jayhawks can stay healthy, keep growing, and keep that energy high, they’ve got a shot to be something special down the stretch.