Kansas’ Bill Self to miss Thursday’s tourney opener vs. Howard

Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self will be absent from Thursday’s NCAA Tournament opener against Howard, the school announced Wednesday. Self tested positive for the coronavirus last week and will continue to isolate in accordance with NCAA protocols.

Assistant coach Kurtis Townsend will serve as the team’s interim head coach for the first-round game at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

“We are disappointed that Bill will not be able to join us in Indianapolis,” athletic director Jeff Long said in a statement. “We have been in contact with the NCAA and have been assured that Bill’s absence will not affect our eligibility or the eligibility of any of our student-athletes.”

The Jayhawks (21-8) are the No. 3 seed in the Midwest Regional and will face Howard (13-10), the No. 14 seed, at 12:15 p.m. EDT.

Self, a 19-year veteran of the program, tested positive for the virus last Wednesday and immediately began isolating. He has not been in contact with his team since then, the school said.

“I am disappointed I will not be able to be with the team in Indianapolis, but the health and safety protocols set forth by the NCAA and local health officials are of the utmost importance,” Self said in a statement. “I will continue to keep our team and staff in my thoughts and look forward to being back with them soon.”

Townsend, a longtime assistant under Self, has been at the helm of the Jayhawks’ practices and preparations for the tournament.

“Our team has been resilient in the face of adversity throughout this season,” Townsend said in a statement. “We are ready to compete come Thursday, and look forward to representing the University of Kansas in the NCAA Tournament.”

Kansas is making its 36th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and is seeking its second national title under Self, who led the Jayhawks to the 2008 championship.

Unfazed by Self’s absence, the Jayhawks are eager to begin their tournament run.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to go out there and show what we’re made of,” senior forward Mitch Lightfoot said. “It’s going to be a challenge, but Coach Townsend has done a great job getting us ready and we’re all excited to get out there and compete.”

Despite Kansas head coach Bill Self being forced to miss the Jayhawks’ NCAA Tournament opener against Howard due to a positive coronavirus test, the team is undeterred, with assistant Kurtis Townsend taking the reigns as interim head coach. Long, the athletic director, expressed disappointment in Self’s absence, but assured it would not affect the eligibility of the Jayhawks or any of their student-athletes.

Self has been in isolation since his positive test last Wednesday, and Townsend has been directing practices and preparations for the tournament in his absence. Lightfoot, a senior forward, expressed excitement for the opportunity to prove themselves on the court, and Townsend is eager to take the helm come Thursday.

Kansas is making its 36th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and will look to capture its second national title under Self, who led the Jayhawks to the 2008 championship. With the team’s resilience in the face of adversity this season, Kansas is ready to begin its tournament run.