To the editor:

Although the majority of Kansas folk don’t realize it, you’re lucky.

I got tickets to the Big Ten championship game this year (Illini vs. Ohio State) at the United Center in Chicago. I went down for a cigarette during halftime, and got to talking to an elderly couple from Champaign who were big Illini basketball boosters and fans. She told me that Self and his wife were absolutely LOVED down there: He’s not only a great coach but one hell of a guy.

Personally, I think he made a mistake. Recruiting won’t be that much easier than at Illinois, and the pressure will be big time. He’s got to beat Missouri twice (and preferably Oklahoma and Texas twice, too), and win the Big 12 every year (which just added Bobby Knight to a list of excellent rival coaches).

Kansas might now win or share as many Big 12 titles, but when they have a really good team, they may now WIN IT ALL.

Chris Barbieri,

Arlington Heights, Ill.