Your inbox approves Men's coaches poll Women's coaches poll Play to win 25K!
BIG 12
Bill Self

Kansas coach Bill Self expected to rejoin team for NCAA Tournament after heart procedure

Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball coach Bill Self, who missed the Big 12 tournament due to his health, is expected to be back with the team for the NCAA Tournament. 

Self was discharged from the hospital Sunday after undergoing a heart procedure Wednesday. He is now back home in Lawrence. The Jayhawks, the No. 1 seed in the West, open the NCAA Tournament against No. 16 seed Howard on Thursday.

“KU Coach Bill Self was discharged from The University of Kansas Health System today in good condition,” the University of Kansas Health System said in a statement. “He arrived at the emergency department Wednesday evening March 8, complaining of chest tightness and balance concerns. Clinical Service Chief for Cardiovascular Medicine and Interventional cardiologist Dr. Mark Wiley said Coach Self underwent a standard heart catheterization and had two stents placed for the treatment of blocked arteries. Coach Self responded well to the procedure and is expected to make a full recovery.”

THE BRACKETS ARE BACK: The USA TODAY Sports Bracket Challenge is back. $1 MILLION grand prize for a perfect bracket. 

The university initially announced that Self would miss Kansas’ Big 12 quarterfinal matchup against West Virginia due to an illness. The Jayhawks went on to beat the Mountaineers 78-61 on Thursday under assistant coach Norm Roberts.

FOLLOW THE MADNESS: NCAA basketball bracket, scores, schedules, teams and more.

Following the win, Kansas said Self will not rejoin the team for their matchup against Iowa State on Friday because he was receiving care at the University of Kansas Health System following a procedure. A hospital spokesperson didn't go into detail about the procedure, but noted that he did not suffer from a heart attack. 

"Chief Medical Officer Dr. Steve Stites wants to clarify that Coach Self did not suffer a heart attack as reported by some media," the hospital said in a statement shared by Kansas. "He arrived at the emergency department last night and underwent a standard procure that went well. He is expected to make a full recovery."

Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self rests during the first half against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the 2022 NCAA men's basketball tournament Final Four championship game at Caesars Superdome.

Baylor coach Scott Drew addressed Self's absence after his team lost to Iowa State in its quarterfinal game Thursday.

"We are prayerful," Drew said.  "Life is short. Winning the game of life is the most important thing.”

Kansas entered the Big 12 tournament ranked No. 4 in the USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll. Self won his second national title at the school last season, beating North Carolina in the championship game. 

POSTSEASON LINEUP:Conference tournament schedules, scores

TICKETS PUNCHED:Which team has secured NCAA tournament spots?

Roberts coached the team for four games earlier this season when Self served a suspension related to an ongoing NCAA investigation into rules violations. No decision on the case has been announced. 

Self was present for a shoot-around at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday and appeared to be in normal condition. He met with reporters for about 20 minutes outside the locker room and said his team was ready for another March run.

“We’ve talked about we’re going to Kansas City to try to put ourselves in position to win this thing, but knowing we better take one game at a time,” he said. “I’ve put the emphasis on let’s go play our best. What the (Big 12) tournament does, it can validate what your regular season’s been. And this is an opportunity to validate it.”

Contributing: The Associated Press

Featured Weekly Ad