The Kansas Jayhawks managed to escape Boulder with a gritty road win over Colorado - and they did it without head coach Bill Self on the sideline. Self, who experienced some abnormal chest discomfort, was taken to the hospital out of caution and received fluids. While the scare was enough to keep him out of the game, it turns out the issue was short-lived.
Stepping in for Self was former Jayhawk standout and NBA veteran Jacque Vaughn, who guided Kansas to the win. It wasn’t a flawless performance, but it was enough to get the job done - and under the circumstances, that’s what mattered most.
As for Self, he addressed the situation with his usual transparency and calm.
"The situation I had was very similar to what many people have. Mine got me pretty good for a short snippet of time and then was under control," Self said. "That won't have any impact at all moving forward in any way, shape, or form."
That’s welcome news for Kansas fans. Self is expected to return to the bench Saturday when the Jayhawks head to Manhattan for a rivalry clash with Kansas State - the first edition of the Sunflower Showdown this season.
It’s not the first time Self’s health has made headlines in recent years. Three years ago, he missed both the Big 12 and NCAA Tournaments due to a series of heart-related issues. But this latest episode appears to be far less serious, and by all accounts, he’s ready to get back to business as usual.
Question Marks Around Darryn Peterson
While Kansas will get its head coach back for the rivalry game, the status of star guard Darryn Peterson remains up in the air.
Peterson, who has already battled through a season filled with injuries, suffered a sprained ankle during the Colorado game. And it’s not a minor tweak. According to Self, it’s a “pretty severe” sprain, and the team is taking a cautious approach.
"I don't know yet," Self said when asked about Peterson’s availability for Saturday. "He's getting treatment.
He's got a pretty severe ankle sprain, but fortunately, that's all it is, a sprain. So hopefully he will be able to go and play, but we are not at a point where we can make decision on that yet."
Peterson’s presence would be a major boost for Kansas, especially considering the recent history between these two teams in Manhattan. Since Jerome Tang took over at Kansas State, the Wildcats are a perfect 3-0 against the Jayhawks at Bramlage Coliseum. That’s not a stat Kansas fans are eager to see extended.
With Self back on the sideline and a rivalry atmosphere awaiting, Saturday’s matchup is shaping up to be a high-stakes battle. Whether Peterson suits up or not could swing the balance - but either way, Kansas knows it’s going to need all hands on deck to come out of Manhattan with a win.