Kansas basketball coach Bill Self says the upcoming Maui Invitational is the most prestigious early-season event KU plays in from year to year, and whether the Jayhawks win the ESPN-televised tournament or not, Self wants them to come back playing at a higher level than when they left.

“It would be a nice feather in our cap
if we’re able to go over there and win
the tournament, without a question,”
Self adds.

According to KU’s coach, his team wasn’t going to “run the table” and go undefeated, so the Jayhawks have to get better after losing for the first time this season, against Michigan State, in Chicago.

Self hates that the Jayhawks lost, and the way they lost after controlling much of the game, but expects they will learn from the setback.