Bill Self Returns as No. 19 Kansas Heads to Kansas State for Big 12 Rivalry Clash
Kansas is getting its leader back just in time for a heated in-state rivalry. After missing Tuesday’s win at Colorado due to a brief hospitalization, head coach Bill Self is set to return to the sideline as No. 19 Kansas heads to Manhattan to face Kansas State in a Big 12 showdown on Saturday.
The Jayhawks (14-5, 4-2 Big 12) have won three straight, including a gritty 75-69 road win over the Buffaloes without Self, who was treated for chest pain and received IV fluids before being released Monday. While the scare was enough to keep him out briefly, Self made it clear on Thursday that he’s back and ready to go - and that whatever sidelined him won’t be a lingering issue.
“The situation I had was very similar to what many people have,” Self said. “Mine got me pretty good for a short snippet of time and then was under control. That won’t have any impact at all moving forward in any way, shape or form.”
In Self’s absence, assistant coach Jacque Vaughn stepped in and helped guide Kansas through a tight battle in Boulder. The Jayhawks led by two at halftime and held off a late push from Colorado to secure the win.
It was a balanced effort from Kansas, with Melvin Council Jr. leading the way with 18 points. Tre White was a force on both ends, finishing with 17 points and 15 rebounds, while Darryn Peterson chipped in 16 points.
Freshman big man Flory Bidunga added 11 points and nine boards, showing continued growth in the paint.
Now, Kansas turns its attention to a Kansas State team that’s been through the wringer but showed some serious fight in its last outing.
The Wildcats (10-9, 1-5 Big 12) snapped a five-game losing streak with an 81-78 win over Utah at home, and they did it with a short bench and a whole lot of heart. Kansas State dressed just 10 players due to a rash of injuries, but junior guard P.J.
Haggerty put on a second-half clinic, scoring 28 of his 34 points after the break. He shot 15-of-29 from the field and added eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals in a performance that carried the Wildcats across the finish line.
Haggerty has been the engine for Kansas State all season, averaging a team-high 23.4 points per game and also leading the squad in rebounds at 5.2 per contest. He’s been asked to do a lot - and he’s delivered.
David Castillo added 20 points and Nate Johnson scored 17 against Utah, but the Wildcats’ depth is being tested. Injuries have hit hard, and the team is without Abdi Bashir Jr., their second-leading scorer at 13.2 points per game.
Bashir had surgery earlier this week for a stress fracture in his foot and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks. His absence is a big blow, especially given his shooting - he’s hit 44.4% from deep this season and had started every game until the Utah matchup.
Kansas State is also monitoring the status of senior wing Khamari McGriff (10.2 ppg) and junior Elias Rapieque (4.1 ppg), both of whom are day-to-day with unspecified injuries. Rapieque has started 12 games this season, and McGriff’s scoring and experience are missed on both ends of the floor.
Despite the adversity, head coach Jerome Tang is keeping his team focused and resilient.
“We’ve got high-character guys that will show up every day and bring energy,” Tang said. “We are learning how to move on to the next thing.”
And while Tang had to be reminded that Kansas was next on the schedule, he didn’t downplay the importance of the moment.
“We’ll be fired up regardless of who we are playing next,” he said. “Every game is a big game.”
Still, this one carries a little extra weight. Kansas vs.
Kansas State is never just another game. And with Self back on the bench, the Jayhawks will look to keep their momentum rolling - but they’ll have to earn it in a hostile road environment against a Wildcats squad that’s short-handed but far from short on fight.