Bill Self speaks!
As personal as the Missouri-Kansas rivalry has become through its Civil War roots and century-plus of athletics clashes, Kansas' rationale for dousing MU's wish to extend it after Missouri deserts the Big 12 isn't personal at all.
"Like, Frank Haith. Hey, unbelievable job. He's a good guy. I've known Frank a long time. We're not buddies, but certainly I talk to him every chance we get," Kansas coach Bill Self said in his office Monday. "This isn't anything about Frank. And it's certainly not anything to do about Kim English or Michael Dixon or Phil Pressey or Ricardo Ratliffe. Or Marcus Denmon.
"Hey, those guys have our respect. And to be honest with you, they seem to me like they're really good kids. ...
"But their administration, with the support of whoever, made the decision. And they knew when they made the decision that this was going to be something that could affect the future of the relationship."
"Everybody deserves the right to do what is best for them. Everybody deserves that," Self said. "So if Missouri makes a decision that's best for them, hey, I don't have one problem with them making that decision that's best for the University of Missouri. Zero.
"But it does change the way it was. Bottom line, it changes the way it was."
"They're moving forward. That's their future. Their future is not looking back. Or hanging on to something that was," Self said. "Their future is going forward. And you know what? So is ours.
"It's nothing negative. It's just business."
"People can get hung up on, 'Well, don't the fans deserve this or that?' You know what? Whose fans?" he said. "I haven't had one KU person, not one, send me an email or a letter or tell me we should play Missouri. Not one. And I've gotten numerous ones that said we should not."
While Self said he appreciated nice letters from Mizzou fans saying they hoped he'd reconsider, he added, "So I'm going to make a decision to try to make Mizzou fans happy? I mean, I'm not doing that. ... I don't see any reason to play anybody to help them. I think the reason you play somebody is to help us."
"Hey, (105) years or one year, we've had our fair share of success against Missouri," Self said, smiling.
"Hey, they're going on to their bigger and better things, but when they chose to do that, that means they're leaving behind Kansas," Self said. "And K-State. And Iowa State, or whoever else. I guarantee you they don't feel any different than I do."
Not that it's personal. At least not any more. Just one business responding to another.
"I would think Missouri should put all of (its) efforts into marketing their new rivals," he said. "I mean, seriously: I would think that Missouri's marketing plan would be to find a way to market their new rivals — as opposed to trying to hang on to an old one."
Bill Self
"Like, Frank Haith. Hey, unbelievable job. He's a good guy. I've known Frank a long time. We're not buddies, but certainly I talk to him every chance we get," Kansas coach Bill Self said in his office Monday. "This isn't anything about Frank. And it's certainly not anything to do about Kim English or Michael Dixon or Phil Pressey or Ricardo Ratliffe. Or Marcus Denmon.
"Hey, those guys have our respect. And to be honest with you, they seem to me like they're really good kids. ...
"But their administration, with the support of whoever, made the decision. And they knew when they made the decision that this was going to be something that could affect the future of the relationship."
"Everybody deserves the right to do what is best for them. Everybody deserves that," Self said. "So if Missouri makes a decision that's best for them, hey, I don't have one problem with them making that decision that's best for the University of Missouri. Zero.
"But it does change the way it was. Bottom line, it changes the way it was."
"They're moving forward. That's their future. Their future is not looking back. Or hanging on to something that was," Self said. "Their future is going forward. And you know what? So is ours.
"It's nothing negative. It's just business."
"People can get hung up on, 'Well, don't the fans deserve this or that?' You know what? Whose fans?" he said. "I haven't had one KU person, not one, send me an email or a letter or tell me we should play Missouri. Not one. And I've gotten numerous ones that said we should not."
While Self said he appreciated nice letters from Mizzou fans saying they hoped he'd reconsider, he added, "So I'm going to make a decision to try to make Mizzou fans happy? I mean, I'm not doing that. ... I don't see any reason to play anybody to help them. I think the reason you play somebody is to help us."
"Hey, (105) years or one year, we've had our fair share of success against Missouri," Self said, smiling.
"Hey, they're going on to their bigger and better things, but when they chose to do that, that means they're leaving behind Kansas," Self said. "And K-State. And Iowa State, or whoever else. I guarantee you they don't feel any different than I do."
Not that it's personal. At least not any more. Just one business responding to another.
"I would think Missouri should put all of (its) efforts into marketing their new rivals," he said. "I mean, seriously: I would think that Missouri's marketing plan would be to find a way to market their new rivals — as opposed to trying to hang on to an old one."
Bill Self
Miz-zzz
Poor Norm. No wonder he moved to California.
Missouri Home non-con Attendance 2011-12
Mercer 5778
Niagra 6315
Binghamton 5037
Northwestern State 12252
Navy 11529
Kennesaw 8,015
William & Mary 9,026
Shoutout to the alumni and non student sections today. Student section was absolutely pitiful. Thanks to those who came.”
Kim English, MU senior forward, on the sparse crowd of a little over 5000 at Mizzou Arena for the Sunday
Mercer 5778
Niagra 6315
Binghamton 5037
Northwestern State 12252
Navy 11529
Kennesaw 8,015
William & Mary 9,026
Shoutout to the alumni and non student sections today. Student section was absolutely pitiful. Thanks to those who came.”
Kim English, MU senior forward, on the sparse crowd of a little over 5000 at Mizzou Arena for the Sunday
Excellent work by a group of unknown KU fans. Well done!
Even 'ol Jack Smack can't stay awake during their games.
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