Self ready to create his own legacy
UT-Chattanooga first foe in new coach's era at KU
Bill Self weaved through 50 or so student campers onto James Naismith Court for the start of basketball practice Thursday.
“It’s unbelievable. It fires me up. It makes me feel pretty proud to be part of this,” said Self, who tonight makes his Kansas University regular-season debut before students who have been camping all week — plus 16,250 other fans who’ll pack the building for KU’s 7:05 p.m. season opener against Tennessee-Chattanooga at Allen Fieldhouse.
“That’s what bothers me when we don’t have great practices, or don’t give unbelievable effort at practice,” he said.
Self gave Thursday’s practice a thumbs-down.
“You should get juiced walking through people that care so much they will camp out just to watch you run up and down the court,” he said.
The 40-year-old former Illinois, Tulsa and Oral Roberts head coach said he wouldn’t just be “juiced,” but anxious and a bit nervous as he begins a new era at KU.
“Even though we’ve been out there a couple weeks, this to me is the season opener. This is when it counts,” Self said. “EA Sports was great (Nov. 4 exhibition debut), but I anticipate a different feeling walking into Allen Fieldhouse than I did that particular game.
“What I’ll feel is this is the start of a new era, one I’m in charge of. I’m sure there will be some butterflies over this responsibility. This is the first time we’re seen in a light that sees you as captain of the ship, so to speak.”
Self hopes the ship doesn’t sink tonight against coach Jeff Lebo’s UT-Chattanooga team. The Mocs return three starters from a 21-9 squad.
Kansas University head coach Bill Self, left, talks to freshman guard J.R. Giddens in the first half against Pittsburg State Nov. 11 at Allen Fieldhouse. Self will coach his first regular-season game at KU tonight against Tennessee-Chattanooga.
“I’ve got concerns, but every coach in the country this time of year has some concerns,” Self said.
Sophomore Jeff Hawkins, who is battling junior Michael Lee for the starting two guard slot, said he understood why Self would have emotions surge today.
“I’m sure he’ll be nervous. I’d be nervous, just because it’s his debut,” Hawkins said. “It’s his first year as coach. He’s following a legendary coach in coach (Roy) Williams, for one. I mean that’s something to be nervous about.”
KU aide Norm Roberts, who has assisted Self at his three other schools, said today would be memorable.
“I imagine he’ll be somewhat nervous — first game, expectations, wanting the guys on the team to do well,” Roberts said. “What I think he’ll be more of is excited — excited to finally get out there as coach, get after it for real.
“I know he wants to make sure we are as well prepared as possible for any situation that might come up,” Roberts said. “Tennessee-Chattanooga plays multiple defenses. We have to prepare for everything, to attack and be aggressive.”
