Flory Bundiga cuts off Kansas head coach Bill Self from giving any more hugs

The Kansas basketball team and their fans were ecstatic after Monday night's upset over the top-ranked, previously undefeated Arizona Wildcats. The Jayhawks overcame an 11-point, second-half deficit, and the absence of their part-time superstar Darryn Peterson to grab a four-point win.

Flory Bidunga and Melvin Council Jr. led KU with 23 points each, and Bryson Tiller added 18. Jamari McDowell pitched in 10 in the 82-78 victory.

In the on-court celebration directly after the game, head coach Bill Self embraced Bidunga in a big hug. Evidently, the coach's hugging practices are getting out of hand.

Bill Self's hugging of Kansas basketball players is getting out of hand

During the post-game press conference featuring KU players Bidunga, Council, and Tiller, someone asked Bidunga if that is the first hug he'd received from his Hall-of-Fame coach. After some thought, he said it was his second.

Council reminded him that Bidunga had gotten one from Self in Vegas, then remembered Self also embraced Bidunga after the Iowa State win.

Upon realizing that he'd received three hugs from Self, Bidunga adamantly made it clear that no more hugs were welcome, and the Self was cut off.

In the end, Bidunga did clarify that if hugs were now a thing Self was doing, then the sophomore star would take a free hug from his coach at any time.

Self obviously enjoys coaching this team, despite all the constant distractions with Peterson and availability, or lack thereof. There are several players on this roster that display a toughness that Self has always valued.

Bidunga and Council are obviously two guys who love playing for Self and with each other. Tre White, McDowell, and Elmarko Jackson all have played hard this season and shown great tenaciousness at times. Tiller, now that he is coming into his own, is also beginning to show some toughness in his game.

This may not be the most talented team Self has ever coached, with or without Peterson, but there is great team chemistry. It's obvious they get along with each other and want success for the team as a whole. There is enough talent, toughness, and chemistry to carry this team far.

That Self is handing out hugs now is an indication that he is changing how he approaches coaching now. He is willing to show emotions more easily now, and how much he loves his players.

This team has now won eight consecutive games and is a contender in the Big 12 and for another national title. Self can do all the hugging he wants.

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