Here’s what KU’s players (and coach Bill Self) have to say about the Superdome rims
Kansas men’s basketball coach Bill Self, who hasn’t played much basketball since his days at Oklahoma State in the early 1980s, fired up a few shots during the Jayhawks’ closed practice on Thursday, which ran from 10:40 a.m to 12:10 p.m. at the Caesars Superdome, site of the 2022 Final Four.
“I thought the ball … it felt like if you put it on the rim, it was soft — shooter’s rim,” Self said with a smile.
He was speaking to a handful of reporters in a Superdome hallway immediately after his 20-minute news conference had officially ended.
Junior guard Christian Braun said he thoroughly enjoyed KU’s hour and a half workout. It gave the Jayhawks their first chance to examine the court and rims inside the domed arena.
The Jayhawks will hold a shootaround open to fans from 12-12:50 p.m. on Friday at the Superdome.
“It’s fun,” Braun said. “It’s a great experience. I think walking out on the court is probably my favorite part so far, just walking out there, being on the court, just getting to enjoy the guys and enjoy the experience.
“This is what we’ve worked hard for. We’re here so we’re going to compete and we’re having a good time.”
Senior KU forward David McCormack said he enjoyed “just being here and being present (at practice). Not looking past the games and not looking what we’ve done so far but just being in the moment and being here with my brothers is honestly the most important part.”
McCormack went on.
“Being in the big stadium, you’re playing for your family, for your fans, but you got here to this point because of the people you’ve played (with) and sit next to,” he said. “So I just appreciate spending time with them here.”
Of Thursday’s practice, Self said: “We had everybody practice today. There were no issues.”
He added, smiling: “I thought it was cold in there. I hope they turn the heat on.”
KU will meet Villanova at 5:09 p.m. on Saturday at the Superdome, with Duke-North Carolina to follow. The winners of those national semifinal games will play Monday night for the national title.
“I do look at it as the majority of the attention, and probably rightfully so, will be on the second game, because it’s Duke-Carolina and they’ve never met (in the NCAA Tournament) — Coach K’s last year and all those things,” Self said. “We’re fired up. I don’t think anybody in this field is flying under any radar or anything like that.
“Everybody has the same goals. Actually, I believe all four teams have a legitimate shot if they play well.”
This story was originally published March 31, 2022 at 3:45 PM.
