A graduate of Oklahoma State, Self was reportedly a top contender for the Cowboys' head coaching job in 2024. For years, Kansas basketball head coach Bill Self’s name has been tossed around whenever Oklahoma State found itself in need of a new head basketball coach.

Kansas’ defense, the same one that allowed 91 points on 51.5% shooting and was torched for 14 3s on 36 attempts in Tuesday’s 34-point loss to BYU, actually entered the Big 12 men’s basketball battle as one of the country’s top units on that end.