Earlier this week, Kansas head basketball coach Bill Self announced he would be back with the Jayhawks. It was an awkward statement that left many spectators and commentators more confused about what his role will be rather. Yesterday it was reported that Kansas center Flory Bidunga would test the waters for the NBA Draft while also keeping his collegiate eligibility. It was also noted Bidunga would be entering the transfer portal. Are these two announcements tied to each other? And what does it all mean for the future of Kansas basketball?
Bill Self Announcement Confusion
Self never mentioned coaching in his statement that was released on April 1st. Self said he remained focused and committed to Kansas basketball competing for a national championship and was looking forward to seeing and hearing the best fans in college basketball next season at Allen Fieldhouse.Â
So, will he be seeing and hearing Jayhawk nation at Allen Fieldhouse from the sidelines? Will he be visiting in an advisory role? Will he continue to help recruiting and pass the baton off to Jacque Vaughn? Will he just be a fan taking it all in?
It feels like he will be on the bench coaching for at least one more season. He has full support from the administration. Ultimately, they all likely know what the plan is moving forward, but it was a bit vague in the way it was presented to the public.
Bidunga Playing Games Again?
Does Bidunga know something we don’t know? With Bidunga’s announcement coming on the heels of Self’s confusing statement, would he possibly be leaving if Self is ultimately planning to leave early? It’s highly unlikely, but still a possibility.
More than likely, Bidunga is just playing the same game he played last offseason. If you remember, Bidunga entered the transfer portal but ultimately decided to come back to Kansas for another season. Now, Bidunga is going to test the waters in the NBA draft process while maintaining his college eligibility. He also is putting his name in the transfer portal if he does decide to come back to college.
Will Bidunga actually consider transferring this offseason if he doesn’t go to the NBA? There’s been rumors of Bidunga being linked to Duke. Last season it seemed like KU had to offer up a little bit more N.I.L. (Name Image and Likeness) money to get him back to Lawrence. If he is just trying to play the game to try and get more money to come back for a third season at KU, would the Jayhawks coaches and administration want to even deal with another offseason of negotiations with Bidunga and his people? It all comes down to if they feel he’s worth it. He is an elite defensive player but doesn’t overwhelm anyone offensively. We’ll see how it plays out but it is starting to feel like Bidunga has played his last game as a Jayhawk.
The Takeaway
So what’s going on at KU? This is supposed to be a destination spot for college basketball. Why are they losing so many players to the transfer portal year after year? It seems like this is just the state of college athletics at this time. It’s free agency every offseason and the old blue bloods like Kansas will need to pay up just like any other school with a big budget. The playing field has been evened out a bit at the top of the food chain.
Sure, Kansas is still a top tier basketball school with tradition unlike any other nationally. Does that matter to kids these days? We’ll continue to find out more over the next several years, but it feels like the Jayhawks grip has slipped a little bit since this free agency area of college basketball has taken over.
With Self seemingly being near the end of his coaching journey, it will be on the next head coach, whoever it may be, to make the correct adjustments to build the Jayhawks back into what they were not even five years ago. Kansas has the resources to make it happen, but it all comes down to execution, buy-in, and accountability from the top-to-bottom of the program.
