Bill Self expects team to respond against Oklahoma State

LAWRENCE (KSNT) – The No. 8 Kansas Jayhawks (19-6, 9-3 Big 12) will travel down to Stillwater, OK, on Wednesday, Feb. 18 to take on head coach Bill Self’s alma mater, the Oklahoma State Cowboys (16-9, 4-8 Big 12).

The Jayhawks are coming off a 74-56 loss to the now No. 6 Iowa State Cyclones in Ames on Saturday.

Self said he expects his team to respond well despite snapping it’s eight-game winning streak, and that not every loss needs to be a wake-up call.

Oklahoma State is currently on the outside looking in in ESPN’s latest ‘Bracketology,’ updated the morning of Feb. 13. The network’s Joe Lunardi has the Cowboys projected as one of the first four teams out. Kansas is currently projected as the No. 3 seed in the Greensville Regional.

Despite fighting for a spot in the tournament, Self notes that the team shouldn’t be underestimated.

“Everything’s magnified this time of year, there’s no doubt about that. Guys are human, but the mature teams are the ones that are able to take every game and make it the biggest game the very next game,” Self said. “…that’s what we have to do, just like other people have to do, Oklahoma State’s got to do it. They’re playing for an NCAA Tournament berth… so we have to recognize that, respect that and know we have to be at a different level ourselves.”

Self had high praise for Anthony Roy, a senior guard for the Cowboys who’s averaging 17.6 points per game.

“I think he’s one of the league’s top players, and he’s certainly one of the league’s top scorers,” Self said Monday afternoon.

Apart from Roy’s individual talents, Self says the Cowboys’ biggest threat is their speed.

“Their two guards [Kanye] Clary and [Jaylen] Curry, they’re good and they’re fast, and their other players are quick and athletic. But I’d say the biggest thing that stands out is their speed and their ability to make plays when nothing’s there.”

The ‘Hawks have won its last eight matchups against the Cowboys, and will look to extend that streak to nine on Wednesday. Tipoff for the game is set for 8 p.m.

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