As Kansas wins yet another Big 12 title, their 12th in a row, many are trying to find some way to put the Jayhawks’ accomplishment into historical perspective. Of course, that starts with Bill Self.
Self now has more conference titles in a row than any other coach in college basketball, establishing himself as the Big 12’s most dominant coach, needing just one more title next year to tie John Wooden and his UCLA teams for overall stretches of dominance. At this point, who’s willing to bet against Self and KU? Not me, I know that for sure.
We’re also left wondering if this Kansas team can do something that only three others in the school’s history have done: win an NCAA Tournament championship. Self won the 2008 title thanks to Mario Chalmers and “Mario’s Miracle”, overcoming John Calipari and Derrick Rose’s Memphis team. Self and the Jayhawks again reached the title game in 2012, where they’d fall to Calipari, this time at Kentucky with the services of Anthony Davis.
This year’s group doesn’t have the star power of Self’s past teams, to be sure, but there is an argument that this is one of his most balanced groups. Frank Mason III is as reliable a point guard as there is in the country, while backcourt mates Devonte’ Graham and Wayne Selden Jr. provide sparks on alternating nights.
Winning a 12th Big 12 title in a row is an all-time accomplishment, but at Kansas, the ultimate goal is to pair that with cutting down the nets in their final game of the NCAA Tournament.
Want to give your comments about this article? You can either leave them here or you can join us on the Get More Sports Forum and talk about this article and many more! Brag about your favorite team, argue about an athlete’s performance or tell us about a game you saw. Join a new community of sports fans who live and breathe sports and sports entertainment. It’s free! Join now!
