What goes around comes around as far as Ted Owens is concerned.

News that Kansas University had hired Bill Self as head basketball coach earned a ringing endorsement from Owens, who coached the Jayhawks from 1964-1983.

“I was thrilled the Oklahoma connection is back,” Owens said from his home in Tulsa, Okla.

Owens is a Hollis, Okla., native who played guard for the University of Oklahoma in the 1950s. Self is an Edmond Okla., native who played guard for Oklahoma State in the 1980s.

“I’ve know Bill for a long time,” Owens said, “and the people here in Oklahoma think he’s tremendous.”

Owens and Self have one other thing in common. Both were once head coaches at Oral Roberts University.

“I talked to Mike Carter, the ORU athletic director,” Owens said, “and he had nothing but good things to say about Bill. In fact, I can’t find anybody who has anything negative to say about him.”