West

Like Harris, Kansas assistant Norm Roberts, who led the Jayhawks through the Big 12 tournament while Bill Self was hospitalized for a heart procedure, said it was important to concentrate on the tasks ahead.

“At Kansas, we are not going to be upset about being a 1 seed in whatever region that is,” Roberts said after the bracket was revealed Sunday. “So, we’re very happy where we’re at and now we got to focus in and play.”

Roberts’ appearance at Sunday’s press conference was likely his last as the acting head coach of the Jayhawks. Self was released from the University of Kansas Health System earlier in the day, and the plan was for him to rejoin the team on Monday.

In fact, Roberts said Self talked to the Jayhawks early in the day on Sunday and was “getting stuff (on Howard) right now as we speak.”

On the selection show, NCAA Selection Committee chairman Chris Reynolds was asked about putting Houston in the Midwest over Kansas, and he said the uncertainty about Self played a role in the decision. He also cited Houston’s 15-2 record in Quadrant 1 and 2 games compared to KU’s

Reasons

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Whether you’re talking hostile environments, tough matchups or hot teams, there’s not much these Jayhawks haven’t seen.

21-7 record in those games, along with the fact that many of KU’s losses were by a significant margin.

“I don’t know their reasoning behind it,” Roberts said. “But you’re going to have a tough haul no matter what region you’re in … That’s a tough deal for the committee. It’s never easy. (Not everyone’s) ever going to be happy.”

Self did not watch Sunday’s selection show with the team, but he did speak beforehand with the veterans on the team — those who played some kind of role in last year’s run to the national title.

Adams said Self reemphasized that the Jayhawks have a chance to do something special by becoming the first team to repeat as national champions since Florida did it in 2007. And Roberts said the themes of the day were being grateful for the opportunity and finding a way to lock in from this point forward.

“It’s always an exciting time of the year,” Roberts said. “Our guys were really happy being the No. 1 seed. That’s an unbelievable accomplishment. Coach (Self) talked to our guys earlier today and said if that happens for us, that means you’re one of the teams that has a chance to cut down nets.”

This is the 10th time in 19 tournaments under Self that the program has earned a No. 1 seed. KU also has extended its NCAA-record l Championship swagger. There may not be much left from last year’s national title team, but the pieces that remain are pretty important. Wilson, Self and point guard Dajuan Harris Jr. are all full of confidence and hold the rest of the team to incredibly high standards. It’s been that way since the consecutive tournament streak to 33 tournaments in a row.

“Obviously, we would’ve liked to have played in Kansas City, if that was the opportunity. But we’re a long way from that,” Roberts said. “This is a new season. It’s one-and-done time, and you’ve got to lock in and everybody’s got to give 5% (to) 10% more in their focus, their energy and just understanding what we need to do to win.”

Update on Self’s health

KU announced about an hour before the selection show that Self had been released from the hospital on Sunday in “good condition” and returned to his home in Lawrence. In a statement, Self said he was “so thankful for the amazing staff at the University of Kansas Health System for the excellent care” he received.

He added that he was proud of how the team and the coaching staff handled his absence during the Big 12 tournament and that he was “excited to be back with them as the best time of the season gets underway.”

When Self talked to the players on Sunday before the bracket was revealed, Roberts said, “They were so excited to hear his voice.”

“He was talking and getting after it like he normally does and said, ‘Guys, I’m back. I’m ready to go and start of the offseason, when Wilson and Harris said last spring that their goal for the 2022-23 season was to collect more hardware.

Those two — and Adams, to some degree — have been part of some massive games during the past few seasons. And no one in college basketball has coached in more big games or won