Kansas coach Bill Self couldn't be more pleased that his new contract is done, that promises made about renovating the facilities have been kept, and the chance to work with his completely new team on a foreign trip is just a few weeks away, he said late Wednesday night.
The new 10-year deal that will pay Self $3 million per year, which he signed last week (announced by the school Wednesday), provides him with security. Kansas gave the basketball staff raises to ensure they were content, as well, Self said.
But Self also was excited about the new digs he'll move into by the fall of 2009.
"It will get us [up] to speed with everybody else," he said of the practice facility that will be wedged in between 70 feet that exists behind Allen Fieldhouse and another athletic building.
Self said the plan also calls for redoing the first and second floors of Allen Fieldhouse with new bathrooms, locker rooms, cardio room, video room, new offices for the coaches and a lounge area for fans to congregate during games.
The Jayhawks bought the Final Four floor from San Antonio's Alamodome, too, and Self said the midcourt logo from the floor will hang in the new practice facility, which will house the women's basketball program, too.
The Jayhawks will begin practicing on Aug. 21, the first day of school, for a Labor Day trip to Ottawa, Canada. The team will practice for seven days before departing for Canada. Self said he's not sure if returning guard Sherron Collins will be able to play since he's still recovering from left knee surgery performed in April.
Self said the knee is "still not tested yet."
The coach anticipates that incoming twins Markieff and Marcus Morris will be eligible. He said the twins are finishing up required academic work this summer. The 6-9 twins are expected to be a part of the Jayhawks' top-eight rotation, with returning sophomore center Cole Aldrich, 6-5 freshman Mario Little and guards Collins and freshman Tyshawn Taylor. The rest of the rotation will start to be formed on the Labor Day trip, with the contenders being sophomore Tyrel Reed, junior Brady Morningstar, freshmen forward Quintrell Thomas and freshmen guards Tyrone Appleton and Travis Releford.
"This will be a good deal for us," Self said. "The returning guys aren't spoiled, either. Other than Sherron, nobody played a big role in winning the title. They all have that feeling that they haven't done anything yet."
Self said the 2008 national title banner will be unveiled at the Jayhawks' Midnight Madness event on Oct. 17.
• The Puerto Rico tournament matchups were unveiled Wednesday, and there is a potential intriguing semifinal matchup. Chattanooga plays Memphis and USC plays Seton Hall on Nov. 21. If the favorites win, a USC-Memphis game on Nov. 22 in San Juan could be a Top 25 early-season showdown. The other half of the bracket is Fairfield vs. Virginia Tech and Missouri vs. Xavier. A Virginia Tech-Xavier or Missouri game could have significance for the Hokies months later if they're on the NCAA tournament bubble. The Puerto Rico tourney takes a day off on Saturday, Nov. 22, before finishing with the final games on Sunday, Nov. 23.
• Illinois has announced plans to hold "the world's biggest basketball practice" following the Illinois-Minnesota football game on Oct. 11. This assumes that all the fans stay for the practice. The Illini will put a court on the football field, but this won't be an official practice. Illinois will use its two hours allotted for individual skill sessions with the entire team at this practice. But we'll have to wait for the attendance to see if this is, in fact, the most-attended practice. Kentucky has sold out the 20,000 seats at Rupp Arena, and Texas A&M held a Midnight Madness practice at Kyle Field when Billy Gillispie was the head coach.
• Loyola Marymount has added former SMU signee Jarred Dubois for the coming season, one day after adding forward Kevin Young. Dubois is a 6-2 point guard from Westchester High in Los Angeles, and coach Bill Bayno's staff expects Dubois to come in and challenge immediately for starter's minutes.
Andy Katz
