STILLWATER, OKLA. ? Bill Self breaks into a stand-up comedy routine whenever he is asked about his playing days at Oklahoma State.

“My career? I was just happy to get in the game,” Self, Kansas University’s first-year basketball coach, said, flashing a wide smile. “For me to get in the game, there must have been somebody hurt.

“We only had one great year when I played,” he quickly added, setting up a joke with the aplomb of a David Letterman or Jay Leno. “There’s probably a reason why we didn’t have other great years … because I played.”

Not to spoil Self’s chances of appearing on Comedy Central, but KU’s coach, who played point guard at OSU from 1982 to ’85 — all kidding aside — was a solid college player.

He ranks as the 12th-leading assist man in Oklahoma State history heading into tonight’s KU-OSU contest at Gallagher-Iba Arena — the same, 64-year-old building in which Self played.

Tipoff is 8:05 p.m., with a live telecast available on ESPN (Sunflower Broadband Channel 48).

“One of the best games we played there was against Kansas when coach (Larry) Brown was at KU. We beat KU my junior year,” Self said of a 71-61 victory in which he dished 10 assists.

“That was a great deal, and we also beat Missouri (79-73) my sophomore year.”

Bill Self: The early years

These photos are of Kansas University coach Bill Self during his playing days at Oklahoma State. He played point guard for the Cowboys from 1982 to 1985.

Self was a key cog during the 1982-83 season, when the Cowboys went 24-7 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament, where the Pokes fell to Princeton in the first round.

It was the only NCAA Tourney Self played in during his four years in Stillwater. He did, however, reach the NCAAs three times as an assistant coach on the staff of 14th-year OSU coach Eddie Sutton, whom Self worked for from 1990 to ’93.

After his seven-year apprenticeship at OSU — Self worked for Leonard Hamilton from 1986 to ’89 — Self accepted his first head-coaching job at Oral Roberts, where he compiled a 1-3 record in head-to-head matches against his mentor. He went 0-2 versus Sutton at Gallagher-Iba; 1-1 at Mabee Center in Tulsa.

“The first game was miserable because we lost by 42 (94-52). The second game … at least it was competitive (73-56),” Self said of the two matchups against Sutton at Gallagher-Iba.

“We actually got ’em the last time we played,” Self added, referring to a 71-60 victory in the 1997 season at Mabee.

“That was before, when everything was fresh and new. I had friends there (at OSU) still. This will be a lot more special for me. I’ve not been back there since ’96 so I’m excited about that.”

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Returning home

Self especially is excited that the Jayhawks (15-4) share first place in the league with the Cowboys (17-2) at 7-1.

“It will be emotional, but when you throw it up, it’s all about the players. They are fighting for a championship at Oklahoma State and hopefully we are as well,” Self said. “I’m sure the emotion or whatever will probably subside once the game starts.

“But before the game … (wife) Cindy and I spent 11 years of our adult lives in Stillwater. It’s a special place to us.”

A special person will be sitting on the home team’s bench.

Sutton, who turns 68 in March, remains a good friend and confidant to Self.

“I don’t think I will do that,” Self said of studying Sutton during tonight’s tilt. “I’ve coached against him four times and in those games maybe I’d look down to see what he called,” he cracked. “I know all his calls. I’ll just talk to him before and after the game.”

The two talk a lot during the season.

“More than ever,” Self said. “He’s always been great to me. He’s a pro. He is very secure in who he is. It’s not like ‘win at all costs’ to him. We are not pen pals by any means, but I talk to coach at least once a month, when you count the offseason.”

Common bond

Self chatted with his former boss before accepting chancellor Robert Hemenway’s KU job offer in April.

“He had a great job at Illinois. It was a wonderful job,” Sutton said. “I think there’s probably more pressure to win at Kansas. At the same time, Kansas is certainly one of the 10 best basketball programs in the country. With all that great tradition it may be one of the five best. With that there is some added pressure.”

Pressure Sutton believed Self could handle.

“Guys like Bill and myself, we know how to handle it,” Sutton indicated. “I didn’t feel any more pressure at Kentucky (as head coach from 1985-89) than I did Tulsa Central (1959-66).

“I knew I had to do my very best. If it wasn’t good enough that’s all I could do. That’s what I told Bill. He knew. He’d been a graduate assistant at KU under Larry. He’ll do a great job.”

And he will tonight, said San Antonio Spurs general manager R.C. Buford, who along with Self was a member of Brown’s KU staff in 1985-86.

“It’s hard when two friends play each other,” said Buford, who remains one of Self’s closest friends, “but I know Bill will be excited to play coach Sutton. I know the respect he has for coach Sutton.

“He’s a Jayhawk now,” Buford added of Self, “and it’s been a long time since his Oklahoma State days. Probably the first time Bill coached against him at Oral Roberts was a big deal.

“It’ll be more emotional for them playing for the top spot in the conference.”

Indeed, with both teams at 7-1 in the league, tonight’s game is a biggie.

“If we keep everybody healthy and keep playing like we’ve been playing, we’ve got a shot,” Sutton said of winning the league crown.

And if the veteran coach does win the league and/or advance to the Final Four would he decide to step down on a high note?

Frankly, nobody knows. Sutton, who has been coach at his alma mater 14 years, is in no hurry to call it a career.

“Our staff feels we do have a role helping young men mature. It keeps me going,” said Sutton, who has compiled a 741-290 record overall in 34 years. “When I feel I’m not helping young men I’ll step down. It could be a year from now, two years, five years.”

Self is banking on many more years.

“I don’t know,” Self said. “He looks great. As long as he feels fine I think he’ll continue. He had told me and he’s said publicly he’d like to have a chance to get to 800 (wins) because 800 would surpass Mr. Iba (Hank, 767 wins). Not that that would be a goal of his to be better than Mr. Iba, but I think it’d give him great satisfaction being his mentor, both being among the all-time coaching legends.”