Bill Self can understand why some Kansas University basketball fans would be frustrated — some even hot and bothered — by the Jayhawks’ current three-game losing streak.

“In our society — and when there’s so much passion as there is with Kansas basketball — when things don’t go well, of course you’ve got some people that are disappointed and upset, just like coaches,” Self said Tuesday during his weekly Hawk Talk radio show.

“I’m sure there are people disappointed — no more disappointed than we are — but please, please, please be upset with me, be upset with our staff or whatever. But amateur athletes don’t mess up on purpose.”

In that vein, he asked fans to support the players, who will take a 20-4 overall record and 10-3 mark in the Big 12 Conference into Sunday’s 3 p.m. home battle against Oklahoma State.

The Cowboys (20-4, 10-3) were shocked by Nebraska, 74-67, Tuesday in Lincoln, Neb., a day after KU’s 71-63 loss at Oklahoma.

“These guys certainly need all our best support, because we’re going through a tough time,” said Self, whose Jayhawks have fallen at Texas Tech and Oklahoma and at home to Iowa State during the losing streak.

“We need a little confidence, get our swagger back and then make a strong push when it counts the most.”

Self, whose Jayhawks returned to Lawrence about 2 a.m. Tuesday, was able to maintain his sense of humor with the help of one fan.

“I actually got a voodoo doll from somebody from Louisiana that had a pin in it. If we can just make sure we direct that pin toward the right person, I think we’ll be in good shape the rest of the day. Desperate times call for desperate measures, I guess,” Self joked.

Kansas University coach Bill Self walks off the floor after the Jayhawks' third straight defeat. KU lost to Oklahoma, 71-63, Monday night in Norman, Okla.

“It’s never as bad as it seems, and it’s never quite as good as it seems. We put ourselves in remarkably good position (at 10-0 in league) and basically wasted it, so now we certainly put ourselves in a situation we have to play our best ball of the year the last three games in order to win the league.”

As far as the team’s immediate plans to bust the skid: “Players have to step up and play. We’ve got to do a good job as coaches, bond together, be a tight huddle and tight team right now, probably moreso than we’ve had to be at any point in time this year.

“Last year we had a three-game road losing streak. You’ve got to stick together and be tough. I think we’ll do that.”

Health is a key, of course, and the Jayhawks hope to get Christian Moody (staph infection left knee) back for OSU.

“He’s one of those guys who does the little things nobody notices,” Self said. “His importance has been magnified over the last 72 hours.”

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Also, Keith Langford will continue to receive treatment on his hyperextended left arm. He’s hit just seven of his last 18 free throws since incurring the injury.

“One thing about Keith is he never makes alibis,” Self said. “He plays hurt and is dealing with some health issues I feel are directly related to his free-throw shooting cause it’s in his arm. He hyperextended his elbow against Colorado. We never told anybody how bad his arm was, and it wasn’t good. It hasn’t been good. Even though it’s not an excuse, deep down it’s hurt him a little bit, probably caused it to be a bit mental. He was hitting ’em much better prior to that.”

As far as possible changes, Self was asked if he’d consider starting Michael Lee over J.R. Giddens.

“We thought about the Mike situation and everything. I like Mike off the bench. (Also) I don’t want to send mixed signals to J.R. I believe J.R. is a good player. I believe we need him playing his best,” Self said. “We are here to win the war, not just the battle. We are going to look at things long term, not short term. It’s not a knock on anybody. It’s what we think is best for our team over time.”