Win one for Bill Self: KU’s Dajuan Harris said Jayhawks ‘had his back’ in win over WVU
Dajuan Harris and his Kansas men’s basketball teammates learned during a 9:30 a.m. scouting report session Thursday at team headquarters — the Hilton President Downtown Kansas City Hotel — that Hall of Fame head coach Bill Self was in the hospital and would not be available to lead the Jayhawks in the 2023 Big 12 Tournament.
Details regarding the 60-year-old Self being admitted to University of Kansas Health System were brief, but reassuring at the same time.
“He didn’t have a heart attack or anything. We heard he was going to be all right,” said Harris, KU’s junior point guard who, after hearing his coach would be OK, said he immediately turned his full attention to a 2 p.m. Thursday tourney quarterfinal against West Virginia.
“They said he was doing well this morning, that it was nothing too bad. I knew coach would want us to think about the game instead of him,” Harris related. “We’ve got to stay true to the game and have his back like he always has our back. That was motivation today to come out and play hard for coach. It’ll keep being motivation for us.
“I’m going to handle business for him on the court and hopefully he’ll be back soon. He’s one of the toughest coaches on this earth. He’s got to be tough and continue to be true to himself and we’ve got to have his back,” Harris added after scoring 13 points with eight assists and five steals in KU’s 78-61 victory over the Mountaineers.
The runaway victory, which was directed by substitute head coach Norm Roberts, set up a Friday semifinal against Iowa State. Tipoff is 6 p.m. at T-Mobile Center.
Roberts led KU to a 4-0 record to start the season. He was KU’s acting head coach for wins against Duke, Southern Utah, Omaha and North Dakota State during the time Self served a program-imposed four game suspension.
“We didn’t tell the players until early this morning. We did not want them to think about it all night,” said Roberts, who knew Self had headed to the hospital Wednesday night.
“What we told them,” Roberts added, “was coach would be fine but he would not be here this weekend. He’s watching you play and wishes could be here but was fine.”
The Jayhawks (26-6) took the news well.
“Our guys are mature. Dajuan, Jalen (Wilson, 22 points, 11 boards), Kevin (McCullar, three points, seven boards), KJ (Adams, 13 points) are all mature. We were able to bond together, come together more in this situation,” Roberts said.
Details remain limited regarding the medical condition that has sidelined Self. A news release issued Thursday afternoon made it seem as if Self had a procedure performed, though not for a heart attack, as had been speculated by fans on social media.
“KU Men’s Basketball Coach Bill Self is a patient at The University of Kansas Health System. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Steve Stites wants to clarify that Coach Self did not suffer a heart attack as reported by some media. He arrived at the emergency department last night and underwent a standard procedure that went well. He is expected to make a full recovery. There will be no further medical details released for now,” read the University of Kansas Health System release.
“I am very grateful for the overwhelming number of well wishes my family and I have received. I’m excited to get back with my team in the very near future,” Self said in a statement.
Roberts and the players had no information to provide regarding Self’s status for next week’s NCAA Tournament.
“I think it’s a day-to-day thing what’s going on,” Roberts said.
For sure the Jayhawks will take the court against Iowa State with Roberts at the helm.
“A lot of what coach Self preaches is when some guys are out, he’s always preaching ‘next man up,’’’ said guard Gradey Dick, who hit four threes and scored 18 points versus West Virginia.
“In this case it was coach (Roberts being next man up). It’s kind of similar to the start of the season. It’s a little more serious now with coach Self, but we’re here and it’s all good and just pray for him,” Dick added.
Wilson said: “With him not here it brought us together even more through the adversity we’ve been through the entire season. That makes us come together more and play as a team. It’s bigger than us. We played for our entire family across Kansas and (it’s) just another (example of) how tight this group is and no matter what’s going on, we’re a team and we’re family.”
The leader of the family, Self, apparently did watch the quarterfinal romp from the hospital. Roberts spoke with Self after the game.
“I did talk to him. The whole staff did,” Roberts said. “He was so proud of our guys, how they performed, how they stuck together, defended and played Kansas basketball. He said he was so proud watching them.”
KU senior McCullar, who did not start because of back spasms, but played 26 minutes, was happy Self both enjoyed the game and apparently is feeling well.
“Coach wants us to play the right way. Tonight we did,” McCullar said. We had to get it for him. We know he wanted to be here with us so we’re just going to play hard every game.”
This story was originally published March 9, 2023 at 6:52 PM.
