Self aware this is his best shot at elusive Final Four
by JEFFREY MARTIN, Special to FOXSports.com
And that's what is expected of the Jayhawks, arguably the team with the best mix of talent and experience remaining in the Sweet 16. But we've said this about KU before, specifically while on Bill Self's watch. Remember last year? When the Jayhawks, largely the same team but with Julian Wright, a 2007 lottery pick with the New Orleans Hornets, were bounced by UCLA in the Elite Eight?
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They won their first two games last year by 52 points before clawing past Southern Illinois by three points and falling to the Bruins, 68-55.
No one has forgotten. Undeterred, Self forges on.
"I love being a 1 seed," Self said last week.
Why wouldn't he? The road, particularly this postseason, is paved for a deep tournament run, the type of success that has proven elusive for Self, who is applying the finishing touches on his fifth season in Lawrence. With Georgetown, the No. 2 seed in the Midwest, and No. 4 Vanderbilt already earlier-than-expected casualties, everything seems to be falling into place for Self.
But he's learned to never assume anything, regardless of his astounding win percentage (.812) and his golden touch as a recruiter.
So it goes at Kansas, a tradition-rich program constantly reminded of its immediate and distant past. The last time a Jayhawk hoisted a national championship trophy was 1988, and every year that has passed since without a celebration at the end is regarded as incomplete.
Self's predecessor, Roy Williams, won 418 games. Four times, the Jayhawks reached the Final Four. Twice, KU was national runner-up. But Williams never won an NCAA title, doing so only after he left Lawrence for his alma mater, North Carolina.
Some fans still haven't forgiven Williams — not for leaving, but for not finishing the job.
Imagine what Self must be feeling.
"I think all coaches who have been to the Sweet 16 or the Elite Eight feel pressure to get (to the Final Four)," he said. "But I don't feel pressure necessarily because we haven't gotten there. I think there's always pressure to win that game. In order to get to the Final Four, you have to win a lot of big games."
The Jayhawks (33-3) have been efficient thus far, dismissing Portland State 85-61 in the first round and UNLV 75-56 in the second round. Truth is, they weren't tested in either game. Then again, who knows when the next — or to be more accurate, first — test might occur?
Next up is Villanova, the No. 12 seed and the eighth-place finisher in the Big East. Beat the Wildcats Friday, and KU would face the winner of No. 3 Wisconsin-No. 10 Davidson for a berth in San Antonio.
One of four coaches in NCAA history to take three different schools — Tulsa, Illinois and KU — to the Elite Eight, Self might finally break through.
"For me personally and my staffs, we haven't accomplished that goal and certainly that would be nice if we get that accomplished," Self said. "But that's not the focus.
"Our focus is our team trying to play as well as it can."
If KU does, the discussion will be over. And there won't be any talk about only reaching the Final Four. The Jayhawks are talented enough to capture the program's fifth national title, which would be fitting given this is the 20th anniversary for the 1988 champs.
But if KU doesn't ... well, let's not dwell on that now, OK?
Jeffrey Martin is a frequent contributor to FOXSports.com. He also writes for the Wichita Eagle. He can be reached at reyheath@gmail.com.
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