Notebook: Bill Self being listed as day-to-day
Des Moines, Iowa -- Bill Self arrived in Des Moines, Iowa on Tuesday, but came down with his family and not with the University of Kansas men’s basketball team.
On Sunday, it was reported that Kansas Men’s Basketball Coach Bill Self was discharged from the University of Kansas Health System and had returned to his home in Lawrence.
At the time, the plan moving forward was for Self to rejoin the team this week.
“KU Coach Bill Self was discharged from The University of Kansas Health System today in good condition. He arrived at the emergency department Wednesday evening March 8, complaining of chest tightness and balance concerns. Clinical Service Chief for Cardiovascular Medicine and Interventional cardiologist Dr. Mark Wiley said Coach Self underwent a standard heart catheterization and had two stents placed for the treatment of blocked arteries. Coach Self responded well to the procedure and is expected to make a full recovery.” – University of Kansas Health System
“I'm so thankful for the amazing staff at the University of Kansas Health System for the excellent care I received,” said Kansas head coach Bill Self. “I am proud of our team and coaching staff for how they have handled this and am excited to be back with them as the best time of the season gets underway.”
On Tuesday evening, the media was made aware that Norm Roberts, not Self, would address the media inside the team hotel. It was also made clear that Self had arrived at the hotel before the team, along with his family, but also participated in practice on Monday and Tuesday.
“He’s doing good,” said Norm Roberts when asked about Bill Self. “He’s doing good and he was at practice with the guys this morning and he was at practice yesterday. (Coach) Self came up earlier with his family.
“What you’re seeing (is the plan moving forward with Self), which is day-to-day,” he added. “He’s day-to-day and we’ll see how it goes.”
With media availability here in Des Moines, Iowa set for tomorrow, it would appear that the role Self will or won’t play during the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament is completely unknown.
Self did arrive at the team hotel, along with his family, before the team arrived this evening. However, he didn’t make an appearance and it's not yet known if he will participate in tomorrow’s media session, or if Roberts will continue his current role in place of Self.
Kevin McCullar, Jr., is back at practice
After missing the Texas game due to back spasms, Kevin McCullar, Jr., the 6-foot-6, 210-pound guard from San Antonio, Texas has made his return to the court with KU’s NCAA Tournament opener against Howard approaching on Thursday.
McCullar, Jr., in 32 games this season, averaged 10.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. Offensively, he shot 43.5 percent from the field, 29.5 percent from three, and 76.6 percent from behind the arc.“Kevin practiced, Gradey (Dick) practiced, and everybody else practiced,” said Roberts.
“He looked good (at practice) and stayed in the whole time. He went through everything and looked good.”
Grady Dick might not be 100 percent for the Howard game
Gradey Dick, the 6-foot-8, 205-pound guard from Wichita, Kan., had a memorable regular season for the University of Kansas men’s basketball team. In 34 games, Dick averaged 14.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists. Overall, he shot 44.1 percent from the field, 39.9 percent from three, and 85.1 percent from the free-throw line.
After Roberts announced that Dick had practiced on Tuesday, he was then asked why Dick wouldn’t have practiced with the NCAA Tournament approaching?
“Like the third play of the game (Texas), there was a loose ball and he dove for it,” said Roberts. “A guy dove right on top of him and kind of twisted his back.”