Bill Self explains challenges behind winning on the road

Kansas was just the latest top 10 team to lose on the road, dropping a heartbreaker to in-state rival Kansas State in Manhattan. This is nothing new inside of the Big 12 though, with home teams finding a way to come out on top. And with how deep the league is, going into somebody else’s building and surviving has been rare.

Head coach Bill Self spoke on the subject heading into Saturday’s home game against Baylor, saying tough games away from home are nothing new in the Big 12. The league might be deeper than usual, especially when you include the conference’s new additions. But getting tough road games is par for the course for Kansas.

“It’s always been hard to win on the road,” Self said. “I think some teams are more equipped to win on the road than other teams. But I think it’s always been hard to win on the road. There’s more competitive balance this year than what we’ve had in years past, I think.”

Kansas has played six true road games this season, with four of them resulting in losses. All four have been against Big 12 opponents. The only conference game Self has seen his team win away from Lawrence has been against Oklahoma State, who currently sits in dead last.

Even a team like Kansas State — who was struggling entering the game and on the outside looking in from an NCAA Tournament standpoint — was able to beat a quality Kansas team due to a ruckus home crowd. Sure, being a rivalry game factored into the equation.

Elsewhere, neutral site games have been a bit more favorable for the Jayhawks, sporting a 3-1 record. As usual, Allen Fieldhouse has been a fortress for the program and all 12 home games have resulted in wins.

Looking at the remaining schedule, Kansas has five road games remaining. The season finale against Houston will undoubtedly be the toughest one. Next week’s slate is not easy either, with the Jayhawks heading to Lubbock on Monday and Norman on Saturday. Texas Tech and Oklahoma are both thought to be NCAA Tournament teams at the moment.

Self will need to find a way to pick up some road wins eventually. Kansas wants to be as battle-tested as they can be heading into March. It would help the team’s demeanor if some of those experiences wound up being positive ones, though.