Keegan: For Self, this was a whiff

By Tom Keegan     Jan 25, 2006

If a more secure individual than Kansas University’s Bill Self coaches college basketball, I haven’t met him.

Though mildly annoyed when second-guessed, Self doesn’t become consumed by others’ doubts, and he certainly doesn’t let them influence how he coaches.

Without coming across as cocky or condescending, Self is convinced his is the right way. If some don’t see it that way, that’s their problem.

Self’s confidence in his coaching ability is so great he tends to recruit the best talent he can find and doesn’t worry about whether it fits. He’s confident he can make the players fit by changing them.

In the case of this year’s touted freshman class, Self was right three times out of four.

Brandon Rush had a reputation as lazy. Self reached Rush and has taught him plenty.

Julian Wright was a wild, extremely talented perimeter player. Self has managed to tame Wright’s game and teach him how to overcome his lack of bulk as an inside player.

Mario Chalmers wasn’t ready to play point guard against big-time competition, so Self took him off the ball, at which point he blossomed and is easing back into a playmaking role.

And then there is Micah Downs. So very skilled for a 6-foot-8 player, Downs showed flashes of scoring and passing ability and had the potential to become a productive rebounder.

In a one-point loss at Allen Fieldhouse, the Jayhawks outscored Nevada, 37-26, in the 19 minutes Downs played. They were outscored, 46-33, in the 21 minutes Downs sat. Downs also played a big part in the California victory at Kemper Arena.

Anticipating facing better defenses, Self wanted Downs to become a tougher, faster player. He urged him to speed up his game. When that happened, Downs temporarily became worse and lost playing time to lesser talents. If he had trusted Self was making him a better player, he would have earned minutes, especially next season if Rush leaves for the NBA. Downs didn’t have patience, appears to have been homesick, and likely missed his girlfriend even more than if his basketball life was going more smoothly.

Self could have left Downs alone, not tried to change him, and used him here and there for an offensive spark. That would have been the approach of a singles hitter. Self swings for the fences. That’s why he came to Kansas. He thought it gave him a better chance of hitting the home run that is a national championship.

Self’s secure nature made him believe he could reach Downs, who attended seven different high schools, pouted when given little playing time at the McDonald’s All-America game, and during the Christmas season of 2004 wondered aloud whether he should bypass college for the NBA.

Downs’ talent will be missed. When a KU opponent doesn’t melt against the pressure and doesn’t get beaten downcourt for easy baskets, the Jayhawks will have to get it done with halfcourt offense. When it stalls, many of us will wish Self could call on Downs.

Not Self. He’ll look up and down his bench and tell Jeremy Case or Stephen Vinson to check in. Self swings for the fences and doesn’t spend time looking back on his strikeouts. This was a big one.

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