Notebook: Self calls opener a ‘seeding game,’ willing to make IU an annual series

Kansas forward Landen Lucas (33) delivers a dunk over Indiana during the first half of the Armed Forces Classic at Stan Sheriff Center, on Friday, Nov. 11, 2016 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Honolulu ? Even though Friday’s season opener between No. 3 Kansas and No. 11 Indiana featured two of the top teams in the country and carried with it an NCAA Tournament feel, KU coach Bill Self said the result was secondary in the big picture of the young 2016-17 season.

“I don’t think it matters,” Self said of the outcome before Friday’s 103-99 loss in overtime. “Every team could say this, but we could (have gone) 2-0 this week or we could go 0-2 just as easily. But I’m not sure if that matters on who’s gonna be the best teams in mid-March.”

Although no one will look back on Friday’s game when talking Bracketology and Final Four projections at season’s end, Self said Friday’s results could influence the way both teams finish the season even if it’s not an indicator of how either team’s season will go.

“It’s a seeding game,” Self said. “You could still be a 1-seed and lose or a 4-seed and lose or whatever your ceiling is on your seed, but this will be one that people will look back on at the end of the season and say, ‘That’s a nice feather in your cap.’ But I’m not sure it means that much other than a great way just to get the season started.”

That’s for the winner. But Self said because of the whole spectrum of this week’s experience, both teams came away winners.

“Obviously, it’s a great stepping stone,” he said. “It’s a great way to generate unbelievable momentum for your program.”

Future foes?

Friday’s Kansas-Indiana match-up was the first between the two schools, with a combined eight national championships, since 1995, but if KU’s Self and IU’s Tom Crean have anything to say about it, the wait for the next meeting won’t span 21 years.

“I haven’t talked to Tom about it,” Self said of a future meetings with the Hoosiers. “But I’ve had other people talk to me and I would say positively yes. You know, there’s only so many bluebloods and, of course, Indiana and us are two of ’em. I think it would be a good move for both of us, but who knows if that will happen. Scheduling is the tough thing. There’s not a lot of extra (time) out there. I would rather really try to play five great non-league games and I would love if we could consider having Indiana as one of ’em.”

Added Crean: “(A series with Kansas) is something we would love to get going. And even potentially with Kentucky. If we could make it work out, especially in a home-and-home situation, it could be something really good. Hopefully that’s something we can visit later this year and see what happens.”

Duke plans

Instead of coming home for a day in between the Armed Forces Classic in Honolulu and Champions Classic — 8 p.m. Tuesday against No. 1 Duke — in New York City, the Jayhawks were scheduled to travel directly from Hawaii to New York following Friday’s game with Indiana.

Although the distance made for some tricky travel, Self and his support staff already had every detail planned out well before takeoff.

“We’ve gotta hustle the airport and catch our plane and catch our flights and then when we land in New York City, we’ll do a walk-through or a shooting practice for about 20 minutes,” Self said. “They say, physically, that’s the best thing you can do when you’re jet-lagged, not just to go to bed immediately. So we’ll do that for 20 minutes, just to get a small lather. And then after that we’ll sleep all the rest of the day and night and then hopefully have somewhat of a normal Sunday, with a light practice.”

Sunday will serve as a bridge between recovering from the trip to the islands and getting serious about preparation for Duke.

“We’re gonna go down to Ground Zero on Sunday,” Self said. “And then Monday will be a competitive practice. I’m not sure we’ll be able to do that on Sunday.”

Uniform tribute

Friday’s game featured the Jayhawks and Hoosiers wearing special, Armed Forces Classic-themed uniforms that honored both current and former members of the military and the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Decked out in an all-blue, subtle-camouflage look, KU’s alternate uniform featured the word “Honor” on the backs of the jerseys, while Indiana’s all-red looked included the word “Courage.”

As for the coaches, they wore military style adidas combat boots and khaki cargo pants to fully immerse themselves in the spirit of the event.

“I think it’s great,” Self said. “And certainly it represents something far bigger than this little two-game classic and hopefully brings some attention to what’s most important and that’s the men and women who protect and sacrifice so much for our country.”

— See what people were saying about KU’s matchup against Indiana during KUsports.com’s live coverage.

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