It wasn’t fairly. Invoice Self stated as a lot a number of occasions after it was over. Nonetheless, while you’re enjoying towards one other blue-blood program, and training towards one other Naismith Memorial Corridor of Famer, it is laborious to really feel dangerous about any victory, ugly because it could be. So, regardless that his crew shot beneath 30% from 3-point vary, and regardless that solely one in every of his gamers scored greater than 11 factors, Self managed to crack a smile following Tuesday’s 77-69 win over Tom Izzo’s Michigan State Spartans in Recreation 1 of the Champions Traditional.
“That was ugly,” Self stated by means of a smile simply earlier than he was reminded that, with the win inside Atlanta’s State Farm Area, he’s now formally the winningest coach in Kansas basketball historical past with 591 victories whereas on the sideline for the Jayhawks.
Klay Thompson is not the one one who obtained a tribute video Tuesday.
Mike Vernon highlighted a few of Self’s accomplishments. His record, partially, seemed like this:
- Document as KU coach: 591-143
- Document inside Allen Fieldhouse: 316-18
- Document vs. Duke/North Carolina/UConn/UCLA: 28-12
- Document vs. Prime 25: 122-68
- Massive 12 titles: 16
- Ultimate Fours: 4
- Nationwide Championships: 2
“He is the most effective coach in Kansas historical past — and among the best in school basketball historical past,” stated Kansas fifth-year senior Hunter Dickinson, who completed with 28 factors and 12 rebounds towards Michigan State. “He’ll by no means need the shine. However that is the reality.”
With the win, Kansas is now 3-0 with victories over North Carolina and Michigan State — and nonetheless No. 1 in Wednesday morning’s up to date CBS Sports activities Prime 25 And 1 each day school basketball rankings. Subsequent up for the Jayhawks is Saturday’s recreation with Oakland. KU’s subsequent high-profile matchup will come two days earlier than Thanksgiving when the Jayhawks face Cooper Flagg and Duke in Las Vegas.
Wednesday morning’s greatest mover within the Prime 25 And 1 is Kentucky, which went from unranked to No. 13 due to Tuesday’s 77-72 victory over Duke in Recreation 2 of the Champions Traditional. The Wildcats’ transfer into the rankings pushed Marquette and everyone beneath Marquette down one spot every, no fault of their very own. For those who’re a VCU fan questioning what occurred, your Rams have merely been pushed down from No. 26 to what quantities to No. 27.