To put it mildly, the 2023-24 Kansas basketball season was arguably the most disappointing during the Bill Self era. The Jayhawks entered the campaign ranked No. 1 in the nation and were expected to compete for their third title since 2008, but internal issues and injuries contributed to KU's eventual downfall.
Kansas put together an impressive offseason, landing top transfer Hunter Dickinson while returning key players like Kevin McCullar, KJ Adams, and Dajuan Harris. Even then, the team couldn't put it together — and Coach Self knows that more than anyone else.
During KU's banquet dinner last night, Self spoke to the crowd and recapped this season. He made a big promise to Jayhawk fans about his expectations moving forward.
"Our shortcomings this year will be addressed and we’ll be as good as we’ve ever been in the very, very near future."Bill Self
HC Bill Self promises Kansas basketball fans a better season in 2024-25
Not only did Self tell Kansas supporters that the team would be better next year, but he said the Jayhawks would be as good as they ever had been. For a coach who has won two national championships, 17 Big 12 regular season titles, and gone to four Final Fours, that is a massive promise.
Fan-favorite Jayhawks Adams and Harris announced they would return to school in 2024-25. Kansas is still waiting on decisions from Consensus All-American Hunter Dickinson and future NBA Draft pick Johnny Furphy.
However, KU has already made a splash in the transfer portal, landing guards Riley Kugel and Zeke Mayo. Kugel was a promising athlete at Florida, while Mayo is a Lawrence native who won Summit Player of the Year at South Dakota State this past season.
In addition to the returning players and transfers, Coach Self brought in a top-five recruiting class nationally. It is headlined by 5-star center Flory Bidunga and followed by 4-star signees Labaron Philon and Rakease Passmore.
Oddsmakers tend to agree with Coach Self's sentiment, as Kansas is among the early favorites to win it all next year. There is still plenty of work to do with the roster, but better days should be in store for the Jayhawks.
At the season-ending banquet tonight, #kubball head coach Bill Self had this to say to the crowd in attendance.
— JayhawkSlant (@JayhawkSlant) April 12, 2024
"Our shortcomings this year will be addressed and we’ll be as good as we’ve ever been in the very, very near future.”