KANSAS

Bill Self Admits Mistake After Defending Zeke Mayo in Kansas Basketball Loss

The Kansas head coach released a statement online defending his star guard following the Jayhawks' loss to Texas Tech.

Mathey Gibson

Feb 3, 2024; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self reacts after a call during the first half against the Houston Cougars at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Feb 3, 2024; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self reacts after a call during the first half against the Houston Cougars at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images / Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
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It has been a chaotic weekend for the Kansas Jayhawks, who are still dealing with the fallout from their 78-73 loss to Texas Tech on Saturday.

The defeat, which ended in controversial fashion, triggered strong reactions from fans, with Kansas guard Zeke Mayo becoming the target of online abuse, some of which he shared on X.

Mayo had the Jayhawks' final opportunity to tie the game, but he airballed a three-pointer after a rough performance, finishing with just five points on 1-of-7 shooting, including 0-of-5 from beyond the arc.

In an effort to defend his player, Kansas head coach Bill Self publicly addressed the situation. However, looking back, Self now believes he may have made a mistake by speaking out.

“I shouldn’t have done it, because all it did was bring more attention to what was said,” Self told Hoops HQ’s Seth Davis during a telephone interview Sunday night.

“I feel like there’s been some unfair personal attacks and criticism, but not by people that matter. A lot of that comes from people who are not KU fans. They’re gambling and lost a bet or whatever. But so much of young people’s identity is what people are saying about them on social media. I wanted to get that point out that these kids care. They’re trying.”

Mayo and the Jayhawks are trying to move on, while Self has taken much of the blame for the team’s loss.

With the regular season winding down, Kansas will now shift its focus to Monday’s matchup against No. 4 Houston before closing out with a game against No. 22 Arizona. Then, the Jayhawks will head to Kansas City for the Big 12 Tournament, which begins March 11.

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Mathey Gibson
MATHEY GIBSON

Mathey Gibson is the Managing Editor for the Kansas Jayhawks On SI. A graduate of the University of Alabama, he has extensive experience covering major college sports, including reporting on Crimson Tide athletics since 2019 for outlets like Alabama Crimson Tide On SI, The Crimson White, and Tide Illustrated. Now focused on Kansas, Gibson has covered significant events such as the NCAA Tournament, College World Series, and the College Football Playoff, bringing a deep understanding of collegiate athletics to one of the nation’s premier programs.

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