Kansas basketball: 5 most painful NCAA Tournament losses in Bill Self era

LAWRENCE, KANSAS - NOVEMBER 03: Head coach Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks directs his team against the Pittsburg State Gorillas during the first half at Allen Fieldhouse on November 03, 2022 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KANSAS - NOVEMBER 03: Head coach Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks directs his team against the Pittsburg State Gorillas during the first half at Allen Fieldhouse on November 03, 2022 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
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After KU’s season ended with their loss vs. Arkansas, we decided to look at some other heartbreaking March Madness losses that Bill Self suffered.

Bill Self is arguably the most successful active college basketball coach, but his success in Lawrence has not always equated to going far in the NCAA Tournament. Before last season, he had not won a national championship in 14 years and was bounced in the second round in consecutive seasons.

The Jayhawks coach silenced all critics with last year’s national championship. However, this does not mean there were not some extraordinarily gut-wrenching losses in that span.

Kansas fans have suffered a lot of hardships in Bill Self’s tenure despite what people think. Although Saturday’s loss to Arkansas was a disappointing finish, it does not even compare to others. Let’s dive in and see the five most painful March Madness losses in the Bill Self era.