Kansas basketball fans know they can trust head coach Bill Self. With one student-athlete leaving the team, Self knows what to do to fill the opening.
The job of coaching a successful college basketball program reaches far beyond the game time decisions to beat Oklahoma. Bill Self has a very difficult job managing a roster of players and recruits. A report from Jesse Newell late Wednesday surprised Kansas basketball fans. Graduate transfer Jack Whitman, the 6-foot 10-inch forward from William & Mary is leaving the Jayhawk program. I don’t know why and I don’t really care.
Kansas basketball fans know Bill Self has a plan. He always knows what to do and this time is no different. As a matter of fact, I looked forward to watching Whitman. Graduate transfers do well playing for Self. Look at what Tarik Black brought to the program. Fans hoped Whitman might bring the same attitude and leadership to this talented team.
Coaching a team to consecutive Big 12 conference titles is difficult enough. Making the tough decisions on who plays or stays is just as demanding. I am not suggesting anyone asked a player –Whitman leave the program. On the other hand, the team is in the midst of ten days of official practice prior to their Italian trip. Maybe someone realized Whitman didn’t fit? Did he realized he didn’t fit? Maybe he didn’t like the classes available at KU? It’s all just speculation.
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Another point of speculation involves a 6-foot 10-inch recruit who might fill the opening. Jesse Newell reminded readers Marvin Bagley might be in the mix, according to CBS. I don’t know if Bagley is the right fit. I don’t know if he will even decide to play for Kansas. Fans have millions of questions and few answers. All Kansas basketball fans need to know. Bill Self already has this figured out and it will be just fine.