Report: Bill Self's medical team optimistic about possible second-round return to team

Bill Self won’t be on the court for the Kansas Jayhawks opening contest at the NCAA Tournament, but he could return if his team finds victory over the Howard Bison.

Per a team release on Thursday, the Wildcats revealed Self will miss yet another game as part of a recent undisclosed health problem that also caused him to miss the Big 12 Tournament. Many have wondered when Self would be able to return, and Jeff Goodman of Stadium provided the answers.

According to Goodman, there’s “optimism” from Self’s medical team that he could return this weekend if Kansas advances over the No. 16 seeded Howard.

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Bill Self Update: There is optimism that Self's medical team feels he could return if Kansas advances against Howard, source told @stadium.

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) March 16, 2023

“Bill Self Update: There is optimism that Self’s medical team feels he could return if Kansas advances against Howard, source told @Stadium,” tweeted Goodman.

That’s great news for both Kansas faithful and college basketball fans as a whole, as Self’s health as been a topic of immense interest over recent days. Thankfully, it seems he’s feeling better if he’s considering a return to the court this weekend.

In Self’s absence, head assistant Norm Roberts has been leading the charge for Kansas. He’ll be ready, will and able to lead the Jayhawks against Howard on Thursday in the Round of 64 of the NCAA Tournament. 

Kansas will take on Howard at 2 p.m. ET and 1 p.m. CT in Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa, and the game airs on TBS. You can also stream it on the NCAA March Madness app or website. 

Norm Roberts says Bill Self is day-to-day

While Coach Self won’t be on the sidelines vs. Howard, the Jayhwaks are hoping to have him back for the NCAA Tournament at some point after earning a No. 1 seed in the West Region. If the comments of interim coach Norm Roberts or star Jalen Wilson is any indication, that appears to be well on track.

“He’s doing well today,” Roberts said. “He was at practice today, he was at practice last night and all of our meetings. He’s doing well, he’s getting better all the time. We’re hopeful and everything is day-to-day with him, but if you ask our guys he got after them pretty good today so he was doing really well.”

Self was discharged from the University of Kansas Health System on Sunday, moving a step closer toward a return to normal activities.

Still, Bill Self’s status is the major storyline for the Kansas program. By all accounts he seems to be rounding back into form at a quick pace, with Wilson noting he looked just fine at practice earlier this week.

“He’s looking great, feeling great,” Wilson said. “We were able to talk to him today at practice and, you know, he’s excited. We’re all excited. It’s great to have him back on the court with us. For him to be able to coach us and start off tomorrow with a bang.”