Difficult Decisions: The business of Kansas Basketball

Feb 15, 2016; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self walks onto the court before the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 15, 2016; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self walks onto the court before the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

College Basketball is a brutal business. Kansas Basketball fans expect, demand the best but sometimes it’s a difficult process.

Kansas Basketball coach Bill Self has a very difficult job managing a roster of players and recruits.

Coaching a team to Big 12 conference titles is difficult enough. Making the tough decisions on who plays or stays is just as demanding.

Some student athletes need guidance on their professional basketball future. Others don’t have a future in the NBA or playing overseas.

As a matter of fact, some players need to take their talent elsewhere to finish their NCAA eligibility.

In many instances, you have all of this and more going on at the same time. It’s a massive responsibility for any coach and staff. One wrong move could have a long-term negative impact on the program.

It seems especially challenging this spring for Kansas Basketball. The behind the scene meetings and decisions are as difficult as coach Self has in the final minutes of a Big Monday game at Bramlage.

Some of it probably isn’t as much fun as the on the court coaching.

It did not surprise me when Carleton Bragg “decided to transfer.” I hated to see it but he needed to go.

Svi Mykhailiuk is trying to decide on his NBA future. I hope he stays. Self invited grad transfer Jack Whitman to join the team. This young man looks like a great fit. Sure, I wish he was 7 foot tall. He will do fine.

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After hinting last week that Dwight Coleby might leave,  coach Self confirmed Monday the 6 foot 9 inch senior would transfer.  

I think it is in everybody’s best interest if he uses his final year of eligibility someplace where he has the opportunity to see more court time. That was not going to happen in Lawrence.