Bill Self’s Health Update and What It Means for Kansas Basketball
Breaking down the latest news, KU’s approach against Colorado, and short-term coaching implications on the latest episode of Pay Heed
Kansas basketball fans woke up Tuesday morning to unexpected and concerning news: head coach Bill Self was hospitalized Monday night and did not travel with the team to Boulder for KU’s matchup against Colorado.
On this episode of the Pay Heed podcast, Nick Springer and Kevin Flaherty break down everything we currently know — and just as importantly, what we don’t.
The conversation begins where it should: with Bill Self’s health. With a known medical history and reports of chest pains prompting precautionary care, the guys stress that basketball takes a back seat to ensuring Kansas’ Hall of Fame coach is healthy and safe. From there, the discussion shifts to the ripple effects for the program, both immediate and short-term.
Who coaches Kansas against Colorado? Does the answer change if this is a one-game absence versus something longer? The episode examines KU’s options on the bench, including associate head coach Jeremy Case and newly added assistant Jacque Vaughn, and what each choice could signal — without jumping to conclusions or speculation.
Nick and Kevin also explore whether a single-game absence truly impacts on-court performance, how substitutions and in-game decisions might differ, and what history tells us from Self’s previous absences.
It’s a measured, thoughtful discussion rooted in perspective, context, and respect — and a must-watch for Jayhawk fans navigating an uncertain moment.
Really solid breakdown of how Self's absence impacts the bench rotations beyond just playcalling. I coached at a D2 level and honestly, the pre-game prep stuff matters way more than people realize because that's where trust gets built. Jeremy Case has been observing Self's systems long enough that one game probably won't chnage much, but if it stretches longer, substitution patterns could get tighter.