Kansas basketball rival shows love for Bill Self
By Stan Unruh
Kansas basketball fans are knowledgeable and typically a classy group. One Big 12 rival showed Jayhawk fans how classy they are too.
I’ve been to many games at venues around the world. I consider Kansas basketball fans among the most knowledgeable and first class anywhere. You may remember when the Allen Fieldhouse fans applauded Buddy Hield’s 46 point effort in a triple overtime loss. If I remember correctly, fans sent rival Gorges Niang of Iowa State to the bench with a round of applause in his final appearance at Allen Fieldhouse.
As a matter of fact, you won’t see fans in Riley County do something similar. However, that is not my point. I am amazed at the respect for Kansas basketball coach Bill Self shown by Iowa State this week. They surprised a lot of people with their first class tribute to Bill Self’s induction in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Friday.
I watched a number of former Kansas basketball players, coaches and others pay tribute to Self. All of them are amazingly warm, genuine and from the heart. The University of Kansas Athletics did a wonderful job organizing these tributes, getting them recorded and online.
Iowa State Basketball congratulates @CoachBillSelf on his induction into the Hall of Fame @hoophall #RESPECT #Big12Strong pic.twitter.com/Gb4t0Cr1u2
— Iowa State Men’s Basketball (@CycloneMBB) September 7, 2017
Whoever organized the tribute from Iowa State deserves special recognition. The video starts humorously with a statement from former coach Fred Hoiberg. He thought going 4-9 against Self contributed to the Hall of Fame induction.
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Hoiberg, the current Chicago Bulls head coach is one thing but Iowa State coach Steve Prohm and former players Niang, Monte Morris also contributed taped comments. It says a lot about Bill Self and even more about the Cyclone basketball program.