Kansas coach Bill Self will miss Big 12 Tournament game vs. WVU due to health issue
KU basketball coach Bill Self, who has been admitted to the University of Kansas Health System, was to miss Thursday’s Big 12 Tournament quarterfinal game against West Virginia “due to illness” per a KU Athletics release.
Per the KU release, Self “is doing well and receiving great care at the University of Kansas Health System.”
The Star was told by a source close to the program that indeed Self was “feeling well” on Thursday morning. The Star was told KU’s 20th-year coach would undergo medical tests on Thursday while resting. When contacted, several sources declined to comment on the exact nature of Self’s medical issue.
A KU official said the athletic department would issue an update when available.
KU Athletics announced assistant coach Norm Roberts would fill in for Self during Thursday’s game against the Mountaineers. Roberts coached the first four games of the season, including the Champions Classic vs. Duke, as Self served a four-game, university-imposed suspension to start the season.
Self was with the team at T-Mobile Center for the Jayhawks’ practice session on Wednesday. He also spoke to media after the shootaround for about 15 minutes.
One thing is certain ... Roberts would coach the Jayhawks if Self is unable to work during the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
Roberts, head coach at St. John’s from 2004-10 and also at Queens College (1991-95), directed KU to a 69-64 victory over Duke in the Champions Classic in Indianapolis. He also was acting head coach for KU’s wins over Omaha, North Dakota State and Southern Utah.
The Jayhawks under 20th-year coach Self went 25-6 during the regular season The Jayhawks, 13-5 in Big 12 games, won the league title by one game over Texas.
KU entered Thursday’s quarterfinal game against West Virginia as a lock for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Jayhawks are hoping to land the overall No. 1 seed, which comes with added benefits.
As overall No. 1, KU would almost assuredly open play (first and second round) in Des Moines, Iowa. The Sweet 16 and Elite Eight regional games are set for T-Mobile Center in KC if the Jayhawks were to land in the Midwest.
This story was originally published March 9, 2023 at 9:40 AM.
