Bill Self Calls for Reset After Kansas’ 34-Point Loss to BYU
Kansas basketball head coach Bill Self didn’t hold back following the Jayhawks’ 91-57 blowout loss to BYU on Tuesday night—a performance that stands as one of the worst defeats in program history. The 34-point loss tied the largest margin of defeat in Self’s 20+ years at Kansas and ranks as the third-worst overall in KU history, according to ESPN.
It’s been a tough stretch for the Jayhawks. The loss to BYU marked their second straight defeat in Big 12 play and their sixth loss in the last nine games. With upcoming matchups against Texas Tech, Houston, and Arizona still on the schedule, Kansas must regroup quickly if they hope to salvage their postseason hopes.
But instead of focusing on Xs and Os, Bill Self made it clear that the team’s biggest challenge isn’t tactical—it’s emotional and psychological.
“We need to regroup, get away from each other for a day, and go home,” Self said postgame. “A lot of times with teams, something has to happen to bring everyone together—an ‘us versus the world’ moment. We’re going through that now. It hasn’t happened much in recent years, but now it has.”
Self emphasized the importance of self-reflection and accountability among players and staff alike. The lack of unity and poor communication on the court has been evident in recent games, and the loss in Provo underscored just how disconnected the team has become.
“We need to look in the mirror—all of us—and ask what we can do to shift the momentum,” Self said. “Tonight, we were one foot in, one foot out. From the jump, we didn’t fully commit to our defensive game plan.”
Kansas basketball entered the season as the No. 1 team in the country, armed with a strong mix of veteran leadership and high-profile transfers. But team chemistry has not materialized as expected, and Self admitted that even team-building opportunities like the road trip to BYU have failed to bring the group closer.
“I thought this would be a great bonding trip, but it just wasn’t. It’s been a bad trip. The guys need to get home, reset, and come back Thursday ready to reconnect and focus on becoming a more cohesive, intangible-driven team.”
Self stressed that poor team intangibles—like communication, toughness, and trust—have created a domino effect leading to slow play, breakdowns on defense, and lackluster execution overall.
“When you don’t have intangibles, you look a step slow. You’re on an island. And even if you run the right play, it won’t look right if you’re not connected.”
With only five games left in the regular season, time is running out for Kansas to address its internal issues. For a program with national title aspirations, the pressure is mounting—and it starts with coming together off the court before they can compete on it.
