KANSAS CITY, Mo. — With Kansas head coach Bill Self out of the Big 12 Tournament Thursday, and now for the remainder of the Big 12 Tournament, fellow conference coaches have Self's health top of mind.
“Coach Self has always treated me very well,” Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger said postgame. “I texted him earlier today and just let him know we’re keeping him in our thoughts and prayers.”
Iowa State and Baylor kicked off the quarterfinals March 9 at the T-Mobile Center, with the Cyclones putting up a strong second-half run to advance ISU to the semi-finals.
Baylor head coach Scott Drew told reporters after his team's loss that basketball comes second in matters regarding health.
“We were all prayerful,” Drew said. “At the end of the day, we’re blessed to play a game and God lets us do what we’re passionate about. But life is short, and winning the game of life is the most important thing.”
Norm Roberts, Self's longtime assistant dating back to their Oral Roberts days, coached Kansas Thursday, and with the help of Jalen Wilson and Gradey Dick, the Jayhawks prevailed against West Virginia 78-61.
After the dominant victory, Roberts told reporters after the game he spoke to Self on the phone after the game and Self was already getting prepared for the Jayhawks matchup against Iowa State Friday night.
"Coach is doing good,"Roberts said, "He already wants to watch film and all that type of stuff. He's doing great. He's doing good and getting better."
Iowa State will play against the Jayhawks Friday night in the Big 12 Tournament semi-finals. Both teams won their home games against each other this season. The Jayhawks won by two points at Allen Fieldhouse and were blown out by the Cyclones in Ames a few weeks later.
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