Self was attending a tournament in Springfield, Mo last week and said hello to one of the top recruits in the nation, John Wall. Wall is a 6-foot-4 guard from Word Of God Christian Academy in Raleigh, N.C., and is the number one recruit in the nation according to Rivals.com.

According to the wire services, the friendly hello happened during an evaluation period when college coaches are not allowed contact with prospects other than to exchange greetings.

Kansas is already in the final year of a three year probation period for a number of violations along with its football team.

The school is looking into the possible violation and Self isn’t denying that the exchange happened. Having said that he should have known better.

This is a guy who just won the national title last season and is one of top college coaches in the nation at one of top college programs in the nation.

Just wave to the guy next time.

Post from: EveryJoe

He Had Him At “Hello”?

That certainly is the case for C.J. Henry.

Henry was a hot shot baseball player who signed a $1.6 million signing bonus out of high school to play for the New York Yankees. But it wasn’t to be as he suffered at the plate and suffered injuries, including vision problems that has either ended his career or put it on hold.

So Henry went with Plan B and contacted Bill Self of the defending National Champions Kansas Jayhawks and the coach and team they beat for the title, John Calipari at Memphis (how’s that for irony) about playing college basketball.

Henry, who originally committed to Kansas as a senior in high school, immediately enrolled at Memphis where he will try to make the team as a non-scholarship player this season. Henry is 6-foot-3 1/2 and 220 pounds and could compete for the starting point guard position.

The Yankees are paying for his education so it’s a win-win situation for the Calipari and the Tigers. That’s because the Tigers are still in the running to sign Henry’s brother Xavier, one of the top high school players in the nation for the class of 2009.

You want more irony? Calipari coached Henry’s father Carl while he was an assistant at Kansas years ago.

Post from: EveryJoe

Memphis Basketball Hits A Home Run With C.J. Henry

Here is a clip from Self’s news conference.

Post from: EveryJoe

Self picks KU over alma mater

Here is a great ESPN piece that discusses Self’s place in KU lore.

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Bill Self joins a very elite club

Post from: EveryJoe

Calipari and Self talk about Final Four victories

Kansas head coach Bill Self, trying to focus himself and his team on the Final Four, now much face the scrutiny of whether or not he would consider going back to his alma mater, OSU.

Kansas is one of the premier coaching gigs in the country, and many believe a move to Stillwater would be a step down for Self.

However, there is something intriguing about going back to your alma mater. Self was a four year letterman for the Cowboys from 1982-1985 and worked for 7 years as an assistant coach.

There is an old saying that goes “You can never go home again”.

After the tournament is over, we’ll see if that saying applies to Bill Self.

Post from: EveryJoe

Will Bill Self leave Kansas for Oklahoma State?

They are definitely worth the time to watch.

Post from: EveryJoe

Final Four coaches interviews

Answer: show up on your appointed court date to resolve things.

Apparently, Kansas guard Brandon Rush didn’t get the memo…

Rush was arrested on Thursday for failing to appear in court on traffic charges. Rush was charged with driving with a suspended license, speeding, driving on the wrong side of the road and having no proof of insurance. These charges stem from two separate incidents. Rush was released from jail after posting a $500 bond.

Kansas head coach Bill Self indicated that Rush would not be suspended for the arrest and would play in the Jayhawks next game on Saturday against DePaul.

Way to go Coach Self – way to let your player off the hook. How about teaching the kid a lesson in obeying the law and being responsible for your actions? Rush missed his scheduled court date and should be punished. Instead, he’ll be in the starting lineup on Saturday.

Absolutely pathetic.

UPDATED: December 12th – Rush apologized for missing his court appearance, claiming that “I just got confused on the dates and never showed up for my court date”.

Apparently, Rush is unfamiliar with exactly how a calendar works. And now we find out that his hearing for failing to appear in court won’t occur until after the basketball season is over.

How convenient.

And since Rush isn’t going to be punished by the Jayhawks, he will be able to play the rest of the season without suffering any consequences for his actions, or lack thereof.

Here is hoping that Rush spends part of his free time learning how to tell time correctly.

Post from: EveryJoe

UPDATED: Long arm of the law nabs Kansas’ Rush

Collins, who averaged 16 points in the Jayhawks first two games this season, will be out of action for at least 6 weeks.

The loss of Collins further depletes Kansas’ thin backcourt, and head coach Bill Self and the Jayhawks will be in full scramble mode to keep the ship afloat until Rush and Collins return from their injuries.

With Rush and Collins in the lineup, Kansas is one of the top 5 teams in the country. Without them, they will struggle to stay in the top 25.

Post from: EveryJoe

Injury bug hits Jayhawks again