Tuesday, June 16, 2009
The return of center Cole Aldrich and guard Sherron Collins may have Kansas fans planning a return to the national championship game, but Kansas coach Bill Self still has growing pains factored in for next season.
“We know there’s a big step you have to take to win a championship,” Self said in a Wednesday Big 12 media teleconference. “We’re going to get some knocks put on our head. Hopefully it’s not with a lot of losses.”
With this, Self further emphasized how special that 2008 national championship was.
“We do have a chance to have a great team,” Self said. “But there’s not as much a margin for error as what we had maybe when we had basically seven pros playing a couple years ago.”
During the teleconference Self also pointed out how Aldrich could develop as a player by improving his lower body strength.
“He’s got to be stronger, lower body, and have a stronger base about him,” Self said. “I do think, visiting with a lot of people that have watched him and have been impressed with his progress, that’s one area that he can make himself a better player, is through lower body strength.”
Kansas will have some potential challenges in Big 12 conference play this year. Small forward Damion James is returning to Texas for his senior season after withdrawing his name from the upcoming NBA draft. But James’ return, along with the return of Collins and Aldrich, has coaches singing the praises of the Big 12 conference.
“It’s probably made this league, unfortunately for coaches, probably the best league that’s going to be in the country next season,” said Nebraska coach Doc Sadler during the teleconference. “The league is going to be really, really fun for people to watch.”
Texas coach Rick Barnes said the Big 12 was as strong as it had ever been.
“We’ve got a lot of teams that can do a lot of damage,” Barnes said.
— — Edited by Jason Baker
The high/low
Moving through the second week of Big 12 Conference play, things have ...
Jayhawks ready to battle Texas for conference ...
Self calls Longhorns “best team in the league”; Barnes calls Jayhawks “best ...
Collins secures his legacy
Collins earns his place in Kansas basketball lore with his historic 124th ...
A cross-conference uplift
Coaches at Big 12 Media Day say that Kansas’ championship victory put ...
Childhood idol influences Little’s game
Taking inspiration from Michael Jordan, Little brings a new element to the ...
What's next for the Big 12?
The loss of two teams will drastically alter the Kansas schedule in ...
Basketball Notes: November 14, 2007
Find out what basketball coach Bill Self had to say about the ...
Coaching changes, young teams mark Big 12
This year, the Big 12 won’t have several players now in the ...
Football schools improve basketball programs
Athletics Department hopes to follow the lead of other schools and make ...
Aldrich returns to form in rout of ...
The junior center was crucial in Kansas' 84-61 victory against Iowa State.
Freshmen play to impress
Stellar freshmen athletes from around the country seek to shine in this ...
Oklahoma forward wants a championship ring of ...
Sophomore Blake Griffin spoke to Kansas’ Cole Aldrich at Big 12 Media ...
Jayhawks attempting to make rebuilding a smooth ...
After losing eight key players from last year’s team, Kansas looks to ...
Self relishes post-championship experience, season
Veteran players say Self is prepared to coach a basketball team with ...
Tournament heartbreak
Jayhawks say No. 1 title is just ...
Kansas players and coaches enjoy being No. 1, but stay focused on ...
Aldrich's problems extend off the court
Aldrich's grandmother has been battling lung cancer in recent weeks.
Vosburgh: Kansas’ Big 12 play, best of ...
The Jayhawks won their sixth consecutive conference championship Monday with a 13-0 ...
Collins, Aldrich named Big 12 Co-Players of ...
Second time in Big 12 history award given to two players at ...
Kansas gets revenge of Texas
Kansas avenges its earlier season loss to Texas and defeats the Longhorns ...
Basketball team stumbles late in the season
What's the cause? Possibly a premature focus on March Madness.
Injured knee forces Collins to rest up
After playing on "one leg" in California, freshman Sherron Collins can finally ...
Team feeling more prepared prior to Big ...
With Robinson's mother's death affecting last game against Texas, Jayhawks' win was ...
Aldrich adjusting to life in the NBA
He’s a young guy on one of the youngest teams, but the ...
The high/low
Freshmen like K-State’s Michael Beasley are turning heads and leading their teams ...
Men's Big 12 teams in Review
No respect at all
Big 12 coaches are tired. Sick and tired of the unfair treatment ...
Kansas sets its sights on Oklahoma
Tonight’s Big Monday matchup pits together the Big 12 Conference’s top two ...
Women’s basketball takes second in poll
The team tied with Texas for No. 2 in a survey of ...
Senior welcomes reduced role on the court
A viable reserve and a better shooter, Kaun has shown his resilience ...
Big 12 Media Day: Overview of Big ...
See how next Football seasons looks before it starts.
Kansas stunned by Texas Tech
Jayhawks lose 84-65 in Lubbock but still clinch share of Big 12 ...
Freshman quartet enjoy the ‘madness’
Four freshman players are content to sit out of the spotlight this ...
Coaches begin to solve roster jigsaw
Self uses red-shirting, exhibition games to organize basketball team positions.
Aldrich, Collison return to Kansas for basketball ...
The pair discuss life in the NBA and their upcoming season.
Rewind: A look back at this weekend's ...
The high/low, prime plays, notebook and more.
Self announces lineup for season opener
Returning players get the start in tonight’s matchup against Washburn.
Jayhawks display good and bad against Aggies
After narrowly defeating Texas A&M in the last four minutes, Kansas still ...
Self strives to make first trip to ...
Leading three different teams to the Elite Eight, Kansas coach Bill Self ...
Self sees room for improvement
Despite Kansas’ win against the Cowboys, coach Bill Self doesn’t highlight the ...
From left: Kimberlee Hinkle, Libby Johnson and Hannah ...
1 comment
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
Comments
Self anticipates growing pains
I agree with HCBS that the margin for error is thinner this year. That is why I don't expect to match the 37 wins. Having a handful of challenges early and then playing through one of the best conferences should be the right preparation, but I'll be amazed if we can put together nine straight tournament wins again. It is such a difficult feat. After all, only one team each year manages the final six, let alone their conf tourn as well.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID