Kansas head coach Bill Self raises up the fieldhouse following the Jayhawks' 87-86 overtime win over Missouri on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012.

photo by: Nick Krug

Throughout the past decade or so of Kansas basketball you’ve heard — perhaps even said — the chatter, in any given year, about how KU’s roster was so deep that its second five could finish in the Top half of the Big 12 Conference.

Although we’ve never been able to find out for sure, on many occasions, the claim certainly has seemed true, as KU coach Bill Self often has stacked his roster with such incredible depth and talent that it’s hard to believe so many talented players could be on the same team.

So what if we apply that line of thinking to Bill Self’s coaching career and imagine for a second that Self, who is set to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Friday, could actually still have a Hall of Fame career ahead of him, too.

Think about it. While the grinding Self did at Oral Roberts, Tulsa and even Illinois positioned him for the job at Kansas, where he has won at an unprecedented rate and established a pace and set records that may never been seen again, it’s possible that Self’s best years are still ahead.

That’s not to take anything away from the turnaround at Oral Roberts, the deep tournament run at Tulsa or the national runner-up roster he built at Illinois. All of those achievements played a big part in Self being selected for the Hall of Fame the first time he appeared on the ballot. But there’s no doubt that his achievements at Kansas put him over the top.

One national championship, a pair of Final Fours, seven Elite Eight appearances, and, of course, a record-tying run of 13 consecutive Big 12 titles and counting. Without those feats on his resume, Self may still be waiting for the call from the Hall. But even if he were, isn’t it conceivable that what lies ahead for Self and the Jayhawks might actually top what he’s done to this point?

OK, he probably won’t win another 13 Big 12 titles in a row and push the incredible streak to 26 — but would you bet against it? And, depending on how long he plans to continue coaching, it’s no sure thing that he’ll get to another seven Elite Eights.

But can’t you see a few more Final Fours and another national title or two in Self’s future?

If so, you know that a bunch of victories would come with them, and that alone — what Self does from this point forward — likely would be enough to get him into the Hall of Fame in and of itself.

As it stands today, though, he doesn’t have to wait.

And while we wait for the week ahead, which will include all kinds of coverage of Self’s induction into the Hall of Fame, including stories and photos from the KUsports.com staff in Springfield, Mass., here’s a quick look back at our Bill Self “Hall of Fame Material” series in late March and early April that led up to the announcement and included thoughts from some of the people who know Self best.

photo by: Mike Yoder

Current Kansas University basketball coach Bill Self, left, and former KU coach Larry Brown visit on the bench during the Legends of the Phog game Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011 at Allen Fieldhouse.

• Part I: Hall of Famer, Larry Brown

“I’m in awe of what he’s done.” — Larry Brown

Kansas basketball coach Bill Self is a Hall of Famer in daughter Lauren's eyes for more than his 600-plus victories and crowded trophy case. His ability to mentor young people while also achieving success on the court at the highest level has impressed her the most.

• Part II: Bill Self’s daughter, Lauren

“I’m definitely not always there and
don’t understand a lot of things that
go into the day to day grind of being
a coach, but I know how hard he works
and what’s important to him. It is
incredible to see guys stand up on
senior night and share not only the
impact that my dad has had on them as
a player but also as a man…. To pour
his life into these guys, some of whom
come to college really lost, the hard
work isn’t just in the X’s and O’s of
basketball but in helping build these
people into adults and helping them
make something of their lives. I
really admire that about my dad. He’s
always wanted to be the best. He wants
to win. But I don’t think it’s ever
been just about him.” — Lauren (Self) Browning

photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas head coach Bill Self and Kansas guard Frank Mason III (0) pound fists as Mason leaves the game late in the second half on Sunday, March 19, 2017 at BOK Center in Tulsa, Okla.

• Part III: 2016-17 National Player of the Year, Frank Mason III

“Just look at the numbers and the
history he’s been a part of here, and
even before here. It’s just
unbelievable what he’s been able to
do.” — Frank Mason III

Kansas coach Bill Self, right, peeks around assistant coach Doc Sadler during practice for a second-round game in the NCAA basketball tournament at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo., Thursday, March 21, 2013. Kansas is scheduled to play Western Kentucky on Friday.

• Part IV: Former KU staff member, Doc Sadler

“I mean, he’s the most unbelievable
friend. Everybody knows about his
coaching. They get that. But to have
the ability to get the best out of
people around him is what separates
him from a lot of people.” — Doc Sadler

From left, men's basketball dance judges Danny Manning, Bill Self and Aaron Miles crack jokes while giving scores to members of the men's basketball team skits during Late Night at Allen Fieldhouse on Oct. 13, 2006.

• Part V: KU legend/former Self assistant coach, Danny Manning

“The things that he’s done at the
University of Kansas, basketball-wise,
as well as with his contribution to
the community and the area in general,
make me extremely proud to be an alum,
not only of the school but also of the
program.” — Danny Manning

photo by: Nick Krug

Broadcaster Bob Davis laughs next to Greg Gurley during a video commemorating Davis' 37-year during halftime, Saturday, March 5, 2016 at Allen Fieldhouse.

• Part VI: Longtime Voice of the Jayhawks, Bob Davis

“He’s the whole package. He’s a great
game coach and a tremendous recruiter.
The thing he does that’s different is
that Bill is such a people person. He
remembers everybody’s name and
remembers things about them.” — Bob Davis

photo by: Richard Gwin

Kansas guard Tyshawn Taylor and KU coach Bill Self have some words during the first half of Monday's game against Baylor.

• Part VII: 2011-12 national runner-up, Tyshawn Taylor

“I haven’t been with him for four or
five years, but he’s still with me.
I’m 27 and he’s the most influential
male in my life, just because of the
things he said to me that stuck with
me.” — Tyshawn Taylor

photo by: John Young

Kansas basketball players huddle around Roger Morningstar as he gives out the Christmas lists of local families in need so the players can shop for the families at Wal-Mart, 3300 Iowa Street, on Wednesday evening.

• Part VIII: Former Jayhawk player and parent, Roger Morningstar

“He can coach. He can recruit. He can
relate to kids better than anybody
I’ve seen. And he doesn’t motivate
through all the phony grabbing of
sayings from Civil War and from Patton
and all that stuff. He has a way of
putting everything in the context of
the present and letting it motivate
the kids.” — Roger Morningstar

photo by: Mike Yoder

Kansas University men’s basketball coach Bill Self, left, discusses KU’s selection to represent the United States in the 2015 World University Games, Tuesday, June 17, 2014, at KU. Joining Self at the news conference were KU athletic director Sheahon Zenger, center, and Craig Jonas, the deputy head of the USA delegation for the Games.

• Part IX: KU athletic director, Sheahon Zenger

“I can give you chapter and verse of
all the things he’s accomplished, as
everyone else can. And that’s why he’s
in the Hall of Fame. But to me, what
makes him a Hall of Famer is he’s one
of the most authentic people I know.
He’s humble, self-deprecating, what
you see is what you get, and that’s
refreshing. He’s a celebrity that
doesn’t act like it.” — Sheahon Zenger

Kansas basketball coach Bill Self, right, and his father, Bill Self Sr., enjoy some time together in the summer of 2016 at the family's condo in Florida.

• Part X: Bill Self’s father, Bill Self, Sr.

“I couldn’t possibly name all the
great things people have had to say
about him, but if I had to pick one
that stood out it would be how people
appreciate the relationship with his
players.” — Bill Self Sr.