The Kansas Jayhawks fell short on Saturday in the Big 12 Conference championship against the Texas Longhorns on Saturday. However, they received some great news regarding head coach Bill Self, who has been out for the Big 12 Tournament with a health issue.
Assistant coach Norm Roberts has been the team’s interim coach during Self’s absence. That appears to be short-lived.
After the game, Roberts spoke about Self.
“He’s doing well,” Roberts told reporters. “We plan on him coaching next week. He’s doing well.”
“He’s doing well. We plan on him coaching next week. He’s doing well.”
Update on Kansas head coach Bill Self from Norm Roberts after the Big 12 championship game. pic.twitter.com/GhnObXQnOX
— Jared MacDonald (@JMacDonaldSport) March 12, 2023
Some were speculating that Bill Self had suffered a heart attack on social media. However, it was confirmed that is not the case, and he instead had a “standard procedure” after complications with an illness.
Regardless, it is clear that his absence was felt during their Big 12 Tournament run. Many clearly thought things would have gone differently against Texas if Self were out there coaching his team.
Norm Roberts has been terrific, but you start to see where KU misses Bill Self's in-game adjustments.
— Blake Schuster (@Schustee) March 12, 2023
I can only imagine Bill Self reacting at these defensive breakdowns leading to easy Texas points. 4/5 field goals not contested at all by KU.
— Harold R. Kuntz (@HaroldRKuntz3) March 11, 2023
Idk where Bill Self is watching this game from but I imagine there's a lot of cursing going on in that room watching this KU defense through the first 5 min. #KUbball
— Dillon Davis (@dillondavis3) March 11, 2023
Hoping and praying they aren’t letting Bill Self watch this 2nd half. 😩Can’t imagine it would be good for his healing. 😳🙏🏼#RockChalk #kubball #Big12
— Tiffany Alaniz (@TiffanyAlaniz) March 12, 2023
Bill Self’s resume certainly speaks for itself, winning two National Championships in his 20-year coaching career with Kansas. In that span, the Jayhawks have never missed the NCAA Tournament.
The Jayhawks, like every other team in college basketball, will learn their seeding on Sunday’s bracket reveal. Coming into Saturday’s game, they were projected by ESPN’s Joe Lunardi to be the top overall seed in the tournament.
However, the loss to Texas could loom large on that distinction, especially since other projected one seeds Houston and Alabama have a chance to win their respective conference tournaments on Sunday.
