Sure, it’s still early, but Missouri has already beaten Baylor and Iowa State — the only other two teams above .500 in league play — on the road and Kansas has yet to lose. There’s sure to be more intrigue, but first-year coach Frank Haith has his Tigers controlling their own destiny.

Frank Haith joined WHB in Kansas City with Between the Lines to discuss beating Baylor on the road, why the team has been so good on the road, having a team that can shoot this well, where this team ranks against others he’s coached, keeping the team in check mentally and the Big 12 race shaping up.

On beating Baylor on the road:

“I thought our guys did a great job. We had great focus all week preparing for those guys and I thought we went out and played with great toughness and tremendous poise down the stretch. It was really good to see and I’m sure from a fans standpoint it was a fun game.”

You took over a team that struggled on the road last year. Why the success this season?:

“They’re a year old, so that helps. The fact that we got taken out to the woodshed a couple weeks ago in Manhattan and I think our guys came back and regrouped and talked about it a little bit, talked about what it takes to win on the road and toughness was a key topic of conversation. … Our guys understand that we’re a good team, but we’ve got to play with great toughness in order to win on the road.”

On having a great shooting team:

“We’re taking good shots. That helps. We’re not going to shoot the ball great every night. We’ve got to find other ways to win games, too, and that’s being good defensively and rebounding. … We have found a way to understand great shots and they share the ball and I think that’s why we shoot a high percentage. We don’t hunt shots. I’ve stressed this to these guys, we should hardly ever have to shoot a contested shot because we’ve got such great ball skills and we have to play with unselfish play.”

Where does this team rank against others that you’ve coached?:

“Obviously I think in terms of this team and what we’re doing, keep in mind we won like six ACC games in a row and Duke was I think ranked second in the country and Wake was ranked like sixth in the country and we had a run there. And obviously we had a run at Texas where, with T.J., we got to the Final Four. I’ve told this team that we’re capable of doing great things. We are, because we’ve got the intangibles, chemistry, ball skills … and now we’ve started to show we’ve got a little toughness. … This team is very capable but it’s still a long year.”

How do you keep this team in check mentally?:

“I think that’s going to be on us. They’ll feel the sting a little bit and we’ll keep them on point as much as we can, but you always worry about that when you have success. … We always have a session in film that we go over after every game, the good, the bad and the ugly, and they’ll see things we’ve got to get better at. But I really believe if you enjoy the process as a player — enjoy the preparation and get focused on that — you’ll get yourself ready to play.”

How much are you starting to hear from fans about Kansas and the Big 12 race?:

“I don’t pay attention to a lot of that stuff other than I do know Kansas is playing outstanding. … You’ve got to think Bill’s done an outstanding job with probably a team that’s not typical, from a talent standpoint, that he’s had in the past. He’s still got this team right here undefeated in the Big 12. He’s done a great job and you’ve got a really good team that’s playing extremely hard. That’s down the road for us.”

Listen to Frank Haith on WHB in Kansas City here

What Self does see is a team embracing who it is and winning thanks to 10- and 15-minute stretches, usually jump-started by stingy defense. The Jayhawks beat Texas over the weekend to push their winning streak to nine. They’ll try to make it double digits against Texas A&M this week.

Bill Self joined KCSP in Kansas City with Bob and Josh to discuss the team embracing its style, its most improved player to this point, unrealistic expectations for 7-footers, Tyshawn Taylor’s season and the improvement of Thomas Robinson.

When did you see this team really start to embrace and enjoy the style of play?:“

“Against Baylor, second half, we didn’t guard anybody, but the way I think you can kind of see that is K-State we weren’t great offensively by a longshot, but we had runs off our defense. Oklahoma no doubt we were average at best and played a great 10 minutes, Tech we were average at best, maybe below average, and play a great 10 or 15-minute stretch. We’ve become more of a spurt team because we’re basically scoring off our defense. … We’re never going to look unbelievable offensively for 40 minutes.”

Who has grown the most so far this season?:

“If I was going to pick one person, the guy that impacts our games and probably dictates when we play well as much as anybody is Jeff Withey. He protects the rim, he’s close to a double-figure rebound guy whenever he’s playing well. He’s got nice touch, doesn’t get a lot of shots, but he’ll go 4-for-6 or 5-for-7.”

Is there too much pressure put on 7-foot guys to go out and dominate games?:

“I think from a fan’s perspective, it’s why didn’t he just dunk it? That’s the one I get. Well, you’ve got people weighing on you. … I think in some people’s cases, and Jeff might be one of them, when you wake up every day 7-foot tall, people just assume that you should be really good at this. So much of getting really good is having the heart for it and I think he’s got the heart for it.”

How would you describe Tyshawn Taylor’s season?:

“Very good. He turns that ball over. Even against Baylor he had five turnovers, and that’s not good, but I think he’s played very well. He’s had a couple of games where it kind of got away from him. That’s probably as much coaching as anything else. … He’s played well in my opinion. He’s so talented and he puts pressure on the defense and is getting the ball to the paint. If there’s anything I’d say he can work on it would be his defense.”

On the improvement of Thomas Robinson:

“He’s trying so hard and he tried hard in the offseason and we said before the season started that for us to be a good team, he’s going to have to play to an All-American type level. I think a lot of people thought, ‘How can a guy that only played 14 minutes a game play to an All-American type level?’ He has. … I hope he can keep it going.”

Listen to Bill Self on KCSP in Kansas City here

But Weis has it all mapped out. It seems he wants to take a page from rival Kansas State’s book and build the program into a team that can consistently go 10-2, as the Wildcats have done this year. And Weis seems to believe he can get the program there in five years and then he’ll retire and hand the keys to one of his assistants. Let’s check back in five years and see how that plan goes.

Charlie Weis joined KCSP in Kansas City with Bob Fescoe to discuss what sold him on Kansas, why it was a better opportunity than others he’s been presented with, his family situation, what he learned about assembling a staff when he was at Notre Dame, his five-year plan, his biggest mentors and how long it takes to get a program up and running.

What sold you on the University of Kansas?:

“At the beginning of the day, I thought it was just like a cursory interview. And the more we talked, the more intrigued I became about the possibilities. Obviously I really enjoyed my year in the Kansas City area last year with the Chiefs, but for family reasons we had to get out of here, especially to take care of my daughter. But the more and more [we] talked, the more I liked what Kansas had to offer and I thought, ‘Why not?’ This is as good an opportunity as I’ve seen come along. I think it provides me a great chance to take a program that’s on the losing side and turn it into a winner.”

Why was this such a great opportunity compared to others?:

“When you look at a program that has facilities like you do, that’s willing to spend the money like they are, that’s 2-10, when your interstate rival — who you’re competing against for the same recruits — is 10-2, the logical question you ask is why can’t you be teh 10-2 team instead of the 2-10 team. I don’t know the answer to that yet, but that’s where I want to start.”

You mentioned your daughter and the need to leave. Why, then, come back?:

“That was part of the reason why I took this job. My daughter is not leaving the school she’s in in Florida. Therefore, my wife’s not leaving. … My wife’s going to be where my daughter is. I had to set up lines of transportation that made it a little easier for me and my wife. What I’ve done, contrary to popular reports where Kansas is flying my wife all over the free world, I have said up a way for my wife and daughter to fly back and forth at my expense … so that we’re still a family.”

What’s one thing that you learned from Notre Dame that you know you have to do differently or change this time around?:

“I think that the biggest problem I had when I got to Notre Dame, even though I won big the first two years and went to two BCS games, when I composed my staff, I was coming from 15 years in the NFL and didn’t really know the college coaches the way I know them now. I think the one area where it’s totally different this time in hiring the staff … is chemistry. I think that chemistry on a coaching staff is a critical factor to the success of any college program, both on and off the field and especially in recruiting.”

How do you respond to the concern that this may  just be a quick stop for you?:

“It’s going to be a quick stop. It’s going to be five years. That’s the quick stop. I’m going to be here for five years, because my wife and I had planned for me to be working at Florida for the next five years and then try to be put in a situation where we can walk away. … What we’re going to do here is we’re going to go try to turn this program into a perennial winning program and then try to have it where one of the guys on this coaching staff takes over.”

Who’s your biggest mentor?:

“You have to say the Bills. I don’t think you can separate them because I think they were two unique individuals. Parcells and Belichick are quite unique. … Parcells taught me the psyche of the game. I think Belichick’s two greatest strengths are both his insight and his foresight to the game.”

Realistically, how long does it take to get a football program up and running?:

“Honestly I believe a full recruiting cycle. You can get them better in a hurry and sometimes things can fall into place for you, but I think you have to go a full recruiting cycle where you know everyone you’ve brought in the program and their strengths and weaknesses.”

Listen to Charlie Weis on KCSP in Kansas City here

Kansas coach Bill Self added to the frenzy this week when he told reporters that he wouldn’t feel the need to schedule Missouri in the longstanding rivalry if the Tigers left the Big 12. The two schools have played every year for nearly 100 years. Self says he wouldn’t feel obligated to schedule them and that Kansas basketball and the Big 12 will be just fine whether Missouri stays or goes.

This interview clearly took place before Friday’s news that TCU has been invited to join the Big 12, but that development shouldn’t really affect his stance on any of this as Missouri continues to assess its options.

Bill Self joined KCSP in Kansas City with Bob Fescoe to discuss his stance on not scheduling Missouri were the Tigers to leave the Big 12 for the SEC or elsewhere, how the Tigers’ move out of conference would affect the rivalry in general, why he thinks the Big 12 will be fine regardless of what changes are still to come, all of this shifting being all about money and whether he feels there is any stability within the conference right now.

You said this week that you would consider not playing Missouri — a team Kansas has played every year since 1907 — in a non-conference game if the Tigers left the Big 12. Expound on that:

“I don’t know what’s controversial about it. We’ll do whatever we feel like we should do and what’s best. I’m not obligated to do anything just like they’re not obligated to do anything. Who would know if they would want to continue to play Kansas. Certainly I would feel no obligation to do so. … We’ll wait and see. The bottom line is this, I don’t want that. I want Missouri to be in our league. Missouri and Kansas are good together even though it’s a hatred rivalry. … I would hate to see it go, but if it does, it does.”

Do you feel like, even if you did play Missouri, that the rivalry would feel the same?:

“That’s exactly right. You look at Illinois and Missouri. I was a part of that rivalry. It’s great. But it’s not so great that they feel like football has to play. … It’s just not the same. Your rivals are the ones that are in your league. Your league is so much more important than any non-conference game. I guess Kentucky-Louisville is a great non-conference rivalry, but they’ve always been in different leagues. … When you go from being a rival in the league to being outside the league I don’t see how it would ever be the same.”

What do you think would be the situation at Kansas if the Big 12 would collapse?:

“First of all, I haven’t heard from my higher-ups at all since three weeks or two weeks ago that the Big 12 will fold without Missouri. There may be speculation … but Texas wants this to work and from what I gather OU is kind of on board with Texas now. … We can go get schools. If the commitment is made by the other schools, if we have a core eight, eight’s not bad. … But I think we can go get schools from other leagues and bring them in and have a great league. … I think our league is here to stay. … If it wasn’t, then I think that it would hurt Kansas basketball, I’m not going to lie. I think would hurt Kansas basketball, but the thing about it is I don’t think it would kill us.”

What are your thoughts on this whole conference realignment movement when it comes to being all about money?:

“That’s the appearance, but all our rules, within the NCAA, is about student-athlete welfare. … All these things are the movement of the NCAA to toughen academic restrictions. That’s what the presidents want, which, hey, when you raise the bar, usually people follow. I’m not saying good or bad with that, but if that is the case, give the kids the best chance.”

Do you feel there is any stability in the Big 12 right now?:

“There’s not. But, if anybody thinks that the Big 12 won’t be better than it’s ever been, if everybody’s on board to sign these long-term deals and make the buyouts where you can’t get out or the cost would be so expensive, and add a couple of teams or whatever they’d choose to do, this league goes from being the appearance of being unstable to the league that maybe schools want to get in. … We can get to the point where there is stability. I feel really bad for our ex-commissioner because he was really a good guy, but he was captain of the ship whenever there was so much instability nationally. … Stability I think will come with Missouri staying, to be real honest with you. But if Missouri doesn’t stay, I think we’ll be fine, but there will be the appearance of instability because they leave in the short-term. But in the long-term, schools in the Big 12 are going to win out.”

Listen to Bill Self on KCSP in Kansas City here

For the first time, or at least one of the first times, we’re now hearing the thoughts of a Big 12 basketball coach. Kansas head man Bill Self weighs in on the topic, calling all situation hypocritical in that the NCAA is saying that it’s all about the student part of student-athlete, yet how would these potential changes be a positive in that respect? Self doesn’t offer up any predictions, but says he’s comfortable where he’s at in Kansas and isn’t pressing the panic button.

Bill Self joined KSCP in Kansas City with Bob Fescoe to discuss where things stand in the Big 12 realignment procedures, why the realignment talks are hypocritical, if he’s nervous about where Kansas stands in the discussion, if there will come a time when we stop using the term student-athlete, TV’s influence on all of this and why he doesn’t have a prediction for what might unfold.

Where are we right now in all of this realignment business?:

“We’re at a crossroads and I think the decisions of a few are going to affect many, many moving forward.”

Isn’t that kind of hypocrisy when you look at it?:

“It is hypocritical. It’s hypocritical to think that APR is so important. They’re going to start pulling teams out of postseason competition if their APRs aren’t certain rates. There’s a direct correlation between making good grades and going to class. Now they’re putting kids in a position that they’re going to miss more class than they’re already going to miss. … It is somewhat hypocritical. I don’t know what the answer is. … The Big Ten Network, the Longhorn Network, there’s so many things out there that we’ve allowed people to do. And it’s not anyone’s fault. … People say it’s Texas’ fault. I don’t see it that way at all. I see it as a situation where we want parity, we want a level playing field, but let’s be honest, that’s impossible to achieve. … This is not a cookie-cutter business. … It’s not a sad day yet, because we don’t know what’s out there. Something positive could come out of it, but it’s nervous times. The way we know college athletics could change in a real short period of time. It started last year and then the Big 12 kind of held it together. This situation could lead to expansion to other leagues, which leads to breakups. … It’s going to be a different time, moving forward.”

Are you more or less confident than last year with where Kansas stands in all of this?:

“I’m fine. I like our leadership. I think that we’ll be OK. There could be some anxious moments and I think there are some anxious moments right now, but I don’t see it being all negative. I don’t see it being all positive, either. I’m just kind of straddling the fence right now, because if you remember last year, everyone pushed the panic button, and at the end of the day we panicked for no reason. … This year, I’m not pushing it. … I think people should take a wait-and-see approach. … But, really, over time, I can’t see student-athletes in many of these institutions benefiting from what the rigors of a schedule will put them through.”

How long do you think we keep calling them student-athletes and not minor-league athletes or something like that?:

“Let’s call it like it is. The NCAA, the presidents, the organization itself, has every rule change, everything involved, based on graduation rate, based on APR, based on providing more educational opportunities. … If you want to play big-time college athletics, there’s certain things these schools need to do. … Now you have, obviously, a situation where it begs the thought of hypocrisy in that we want this, we say this and the rules apply to everybody else, but do they really apply to me.”

Did you ever think you’d be coaching in a day where TV had so much influence in what was going on?:

“I probably haven’t thought about it much, but there’s no question the last two years, you can definitely see a movement. Does this trigger, now, the super-conferences? If you have one go to 16, does that trigger other super-conferences? Then, with the other super-conferences, how important is the total body of the NCAA? I was at Oral Roberts; I was at Tulsa. I think it’s important. But you have the decisions of a few that are affecting the entire landscape, potentially. … This could be a serious trickle-down and I can’t see it being good.”

What do you think is going to happen when it’s all said and done?:

“Nothing. No, I don’t know. I don’t have any idea. I don’t know enough about it or am on the inside enough to have predictions. … I want everybody to be happy as long as we’re a part of that equation.”

Listen to Bill Self on KCSP in Kansas City here

Once he realizes what the question actually meant, Selby says he never even considered going back to Kansas for a sophomore year. He also doesn’t seem that surprised or upset that he fell so far, saying he knew what happened at KU had a lot of teams worried. Is there any common sense anywhere in this scenario?

Josh Selby joined KCSP in Kansas City with Danny Parkins to discuss his reaction to being picked 49th by the Grizzlies, if he was surprised he fell that far, what happened during his freshman season at Kansas, if he ever considered returning for another year there, if he thinks he could’ve been drafted higher had he returned, the reported tension between his camp and the Jayhawks and what he would say to fans who are mad he left.

What was your reaction when you heard your name called with the 49th pick?:

“I was surprised because I didn’t work out for the Grizzlies, but after I came back to reality, I just broke down crying, saying that all the work I did paid off. It was a great feeling, a wonderful feeling.”

Did you expect to go sooner than that?:

“I didn’t know, really, what to expect because my range was so wide because of what happened at Kansas. Everybody knew I had the talent, but they were just wanting to know what was going on at Kansas and didn’t know if they wanted to take that chance on me. But my name got called. I’m happy; I’m very excited. I can’t wait to play for the Grizzlies.”

How would you classify what happened at Kansas?:

“It was an up-and-down season. It was very disappointing. I came out after my nine-game suspension and had a heckuva game. I had some other good games after that. I had an injury that kind of slowed me down. … If I didn’t have that injury, the season would’ve been different. But what happened at Kansas is over with. Now I have a bigger future to think about.”

Did you ever consider returning to Kansas?:

“I would love to go back to Kansas. I love the fans there, love the team there, love the coaching staff. You never know, I might pop back up in Lawrence.” But did you consider returning for your sophomore season?: “No, I kind of made my mind up earlier that I wasn’t going to go back … just because the NBA has always been my ultimate goal. This is my opportunity to make my dream a reality and I wanted to take it.”

But if you went back, don’t you think you might have been drafted higher?:

“You never know. I could’ve got hurt again. You never know.”

Are the reports true that came out that people in his camp weren’t happy that folks at Kansas weren’t helping his draft stock?:

“To be honest, that never came out of my mouth. I never heard that come out of anybody’s mouth in my circle. We never bad-mouthed Kansas and I hope they wouldn’t bad-mouth me. If they did bad-mouth me, I don’t hold any grudges.”

What would he like to say to fans who weren’t happy he went into the draft?:

“I don’t say anything to those fans. I just say thanks to my supporters out there, everyone who wished me luck and want me to good, I say thank you to them. I even say thank you to the people who don’t want me to do good because they’re the people who motivate me.”

Are you worried about how a potential lockout could affect you?:

“I’m not really concerned about it, but I wish it wouldn’t happen because that affects the summer league, that affects me talking to the coaching staff, working out in the facilities. But I’m just going to try to make the most out of that situation.”

What will you say to Bill Self when you talk to him?:

“I’m just going to say thank you for him letting me into Kansas and making me a better person, standing by my side when I was hurt. I’m just going to give him a thank you.”

Listen to Josh Selby on KCSP in Kansas City here

Mooney joined Tony Bruno on Into the Night on FOX Sports Radio to talk about the remarkable fact that two teams from the city of Richmond — both the Spiders and the Rams of VCU — are in the Sweet 16, how it’s even more special that both are traveling down to San Antonio for the next round, the Princeton-style of offense that his team plays (Mooney is a Princeton product), why that style of offensive attack isn’t just reserved for non-athletic outclassed teams, his views on the Big East’s struggles in this year’s March Madness, and his take on the Spiders’ next opponent, the might Jayhawks from the University of Kansas.

On the remarkable fact that two Richmond-area teams (VCU as well) are in this year’s Sweet 16:

“Yeah it really is. VCU is probably five or six minute drive from the University of Richmond. And for two teams to be going to the Sweet 16, let alone we’re both going to the San Antonio region, it’s really just an amazing thing.”

On the Princeton-style offense that his teams runs and how it’s no longer looked down upon so universally as more teams beyond just the non-athletic Ivy League types find ways to be successful with it:

“No, not at all. I think in years past before John Thompson took over at Georgetown, or other coaches had success that were part of our family, I think people got the idea that Princeton was this slow down, milk the clock offense and that’s because you would see Princeton on television and they would be playing UCLA or Georgetown or Kansas. And of course, if you had Princeton’s players you would slow the game down also. So I think now people see it with different interpretations. We’re a pretty good transition team. John Thompson and Georgetown, they really run. I think like anything else, I think there are many variations of how you can take the fundamental principles and apply them.”

His take on the Big East’s struggles in this year’s tournament:

“Well I think it’s more probably what you said about how competitive it is night in and night out during the course of the season. I think once you get to March, you have games where literally anything can happen. For example, the Pitt-Butler game, that game changed dramatically twice in the last two seconds. I think that has a little bit more to do with whether you’re eliminated or not. I just think if there is anything, I think it’s how physical and demanding that conference is during the course of the season. And when they get to the NCAA Tournament, dramatically different style of play in the NCAA Tournament; I think they probably call it a little bit more closely than they do in their conference. They’ve had such a grinding season to begin with.”

On Richmond’s tough Sweet 16 opponent, the top seeded Kansas Jayhawks:

“Well they’re just tremendous when you look at their stat sheet and some game film. I mean, they score so easily, they have so many great players. I think what’s most impressive is not only do they have great players, but they share the ball. It’s not a star system, they really pass the ball to one another. I think they lead the country in assists. So they’re a tremendous team, and for us it’s really going to be important to defend and not give them any easy baskets in transition. They score easily enough and they don’t need any help from us. So hopefully we’ll be able to control the game to a certain extent and defend them just the best we can.”

On if the city of Richmond is in any way favoring Richmond more than VCU or vice versa, or if the community is just going nuts in support of both schools as they head to San Antonio:

“Yeah I think No. 1 there’s a rivalry and we play every year, but I think there’s an appreciation for each other and a kind of celebration that this is happening for us. VCU is a much bigger school, it’s a state university, while Richmond is a much smaller private school. But at the same time, I think we have a great number of fans, and they do, and right now on Monday, I think everybody is just really, really excited about both teams being in the Sweet 16.”

Listen here to Moody with Tony Bruno on Into the Night on FOX Sports Radio (interview begins at 23:30 mark)

Bill Self joined ESPN Radio with Scott Van Pelt and Ryen Russillo to discuss the emergence of rival Kansas State, the depth of this Kansas team, if they still bring up last year’s stunning tournament exit against Northern Iowa, if the Jayhawks have what it takes to make a run to a title this year, and the importance of winning on Senior Night.

Is Kansas State back to being the team they were expected to be?:

“They’re good. When we played them over there, we laid an egg, bigtime, but they were great. The ball moved, the open man took the open shot, Pullen was unbelievable in that game. … But the other guys are really stepping up. … I think they’re a team that nobody’s going to want to play. If they continue to ascend, they’re a team that can make a serious run.”

On the depth of his Kansas teams in the fact that it seems like anybody can step up on any given night:

“Well, I don’t know if it’s anybody. You know, the year that we won it, we had seven different guys lead us in scoring that year. I think this year we’ve had seven different guys already lead us in scoring, so we’ve got balance. But, without question, Marcus [Morris] is the guy. He’s averaging 19 and 8 in league and shooting 63 percent. He’s been fabulous.”

Given the wide-open nature heading into this year’s tournament, does he bring up how the season ended last year against Northern Iowa?:

“We’ve talked about it, without dwelling on it, all year. I think talk’s cheap and guys make commitments and say, ‘We’re not going to allow this to happen to us again,’ and there’s been numerous reminders. … It’s a reminder on the commitment they supposedly made after that particular game.”

Do the Jayhawks have enough this year to be national champions?:

“I’d like to say yes, but I will tell you this, I’m not overly impressed with our consistency. I really think that good defense, over time, or even in one particular game, can definitely neutralize good offense easier than good offense can neutralize good defense and I think that’s an area we still have another step to take to get better. I look around America and I see a lot of teams that are capable.”

On the importance of winning on Senior Night:

“I think it’s real important and I think guys here understand that any selfish thoughts they have, they’re doubly selfish if they think them on this night. This is all about the seniors, it’s not about anyone else but the seniors and those guys need to perform and have the attitude to give these guys the chance to go out in style. And what I mean by style is winning.”

Listen to Bill Self on ESPN Radio here (Interview begins at 31:45)

Bill Self joined WHB in Kansas City with Soren Petro to talk about where Kansas was picked to finish this season, the status of one of his players, Josh Selby, heading into this season, how this team is different than some of the others that he has coached recently, and who the leader of his team is going ot be this year with the departure of Sherron Collins.

On whether or not he likes being picked to finish second and not have the bullseye this season:

“Not really. It was the year before last. I was surprised. I thought that we would be picked much lower than that. When the coaches picked us two I was going wow, that’s pretty good. I thought K-State, based on what they returned and with the year that they had and the great job that Frank (Martin) has done coaching them I thought they were the overwhelming favorite to win the league. I also think there are some good teams in the league. I think Missouri will be good and I think Texas is going to be really good. I think Texas Tech and Colorado are teams that are going to have a shot to get in the tournament without question. You have the other teams, the A and M’s, Oklahoma State, the Oklahoma’s and of course Baylor is going to be terrific. There’s going to be nine or ten teams right now on paper that you say you know what if things fall right we could be tourney bound. Of course there won’t be that many that get in because it’s hard to do that when you play everybody. This is going to be as good a league as we’ve had.”

On Josh Selby’s status:

“You’re the first person that said anything to me about Josh all day I’m shocked. There’s no new news, but that’s not bad. We’ve been in communication with the NCAA and they’ve been good to work with. We’re not ecstatic about the time frame but I’m not sure that time frame can be adjusted based on some things that they need, they want, and I still feel good about it. I do. Josh is working out every day, he’s really starting to get comfortable. Labored a little bit early but the last couple of days he’s been really good. I certainly believe that there is going to be a positive outcome and it may not be exactly what I want and I don’t know this for a fact, but I do believe in my heart that he will be playing college basketball this year. I hope it’s immediately and it may not be, but we will just wait and see. Our fans should not get too hung up on this. Our fans should take a deep breath like we have taken deep breaths like we have this offseason. Everything is going to be okay. Somehow well spin a negative into a positive if it is a negative. But right now I believe that he’s preparing, we’re preparing like he going to be there, but we may have to make adjustments if he’s not going to be there the entire time. The most important thing for me is to be patient, have him try and be patient and understand that we believe a positive outcome will be determined on a schedule that they seem fit.”

On how this team compares with the team of Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich:

“That team, in my mind is unbelievable to go 14-2 with that team. We took that team to Canada and we had to make some heroic plays just to win games in Canada over Labor Day when we took a little exhibition trip up there. This team I would say is further along than that team at this stage. That team we knew we had two and those two were really good, but we didn’t know we had anybody else because there were so many unknowns. We have more knowns now. We may not have a so-called lottery pick or the winningest player ever in the program, but we have some guys by committee that can help fill that void. It is going to be an interesting year for us because we’re really athletic, we’re different than what we’ve been, but I do think the guys understand how we want to play and they understand what I think is important and the staff think is important as far as executing that. You add some speed onto what we already believe in and I think it can be a really fun to watch.”

Listen to Bill Self on WHB in Kansas City here

The 6’6″ Henry is mature beyond his age, a terrific man defender at one of the most critical NBA positions to guard and showed his ability to score in flashes for a team that already had two veteran All-Americans when he joined Kansas as a freshman. Henry’s season is widely considered disappointing, yet he averaged 13.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.6 steals and shot 46% (42% from three) for the best team in the nation during the regular season. Don’t sleep on Xavier Henry. He may never be Kobe Bryant, but he’ll likely be in this league as an important piece to a winning team for many years.

Xavier Henry joined the Big Show on WSSP in Milwaukee to discuss his numbers on a different team, his decision to go to Kansas over Kentucky or overseas, high school eligibility and being a millionaire.

On how much better his numbers would have been on another team:

“I’m sure if I would have went to a different type of school like that, I would have put up way bigger numbers and stuff like that. But, going to a school where I had to sit back kind of in a role and do different things that I wasn’t used to in high school and not be as assertive, and as much playing with my two All-Americans, that helped me out too. In the NBA, there’s only so many superstars and most of the other players are role players and they’re asked to do certain things. Right now, I’m just showing them the game that they didn’t get to see as much where I’m attacking the basket and creating for myself and giving all my effort in these workouts. That’s what scouts really like, that I still have that in my game and I can be myself and not like I was when I had to All-Americans with me.”

On if he would have come out of high school to the NBA if he could:

“I’m not sure if I would have came out of high school. I had a lot of things to learn that I learned in college, so I think it was a great thing I went to college. I don’t look back and regret that they made that rule or anything…. It’s probably a really great time for me to come out, while I can get in there and get to work as soon as I get there. I’m not worried about any of the other issues that you have in college. I can learn more and absorb more as fast as I can.”

On, having been born in Belgium, if he considered playing overseas (a la Brandon Jennings):

“Not too much. I was about college basically. I was going to go to Memphis first. Then Coach Cal left and that threw everything into the air from overseas, to a different school, to following him… I think me and my family made the best decision. We made the right decision.”

On what he learned from Bill Self:

“Knowing the importance of both sides of the ball and making sure that I dedicate myself on the defensive end just like I do on the offensive end. Coach always wanted to always step up and give my best and that’s what I always did.”

And on the fact that he will soon be a millionaire:

“It sounds pretty good, but it happened way quicker than I thought it would. I feel like I’m rushing through everything. I’m having fun with everything and soaking up my experiences. It was a goad experience for me .”

Listen to Xavier Henry on on WSSP in Milwaukee with The Big Show.