Self, seniors take questions from students

Kansas student ticket-combo holders showed up at Allen Fieldhouse Sunday afternoon for an open question and answer session with KU head men's basketball coach Bill Self and the 2010-11 seniors. It was the first time students had been offered an open forum to ask questions of Self and current players.

Self explained to the students what made Kansas basketball so special.

"The thing that makes this place a great place to coach and an even better place to play is the people that support our program. There are very few schools, if any, in America that have as consistent support as what we have here, so we're spoiled."

Self then asked the crowd, "What is a goal that you have for this year's team?"

"Defend the Big 12 title," one student responded.

"Win a national title," another student said.

"I agree," said Self. "I think those are the two goals. I agree with that 100 percent but how can you have that goal when we just lost Cole (Aldrich), Sherron (Collins) and Xavier (Henry)? The answer is 'It doesn't make any difference who we have.' The expectations don't change. The biggest reason we feel that way is because we feel we have the best home-court in the country and that's because of you."

Self then opened the floor to questions from those in attendance. Questions ranged from Self's thoughts on the Big 12 this year to how Self would fare in a one-on-one game with Danny Manning.

KU's four seniors - Tyrel Reed, Conner Teahan, Brady Morningstar and Mario Little - also fielded questions, including whether or not Reed would dunk this year and what they would miss most about the team after graduating.

"I think the brotherhood, family-type atmosphere we have in the locker room," Teahan said in response to what he would miss. "You develop a lot of memories and good times with these guys so that's probably the thing I'll miss the most."

The question and answer session lasted approximately 30 minutes. The entire team was available afterward to sign autographs for the students.