Bill Self says Kansas State is 'a lot more talented' in 2022-23

The Kansas Jayhawks and head coach Bill Self have another huge Big 12 matchup on Tuesday when they take on their in-state rival Kansas State. The Wildcats program has enjoyed a resurgence this season as they have climbed to no. 13 in the nation. Heading into the game, Self is well aware that this Kansas State team is much different this year, saying the 2022-23 Wildcats are a lot more talented.’

“Well, I think they are a lot more talented. I think that their offensive firepower is doubled. They lost (Nijel) Pack, obviously, but they replaced him with some guys that can really score the ball. (Markquis) Nowell is having a player-of-the-year type year. (Keyontae) Johnson is he the second leading scorer in our league right now or third; he’s having an unbelievable year and is a great story. And then they have recruited unbelievably well. No.35 (Nae’Qwan Tomlin) he’s a pro prospect; I mean, he’s an NBA prospect. I’m really impressed with their talent level and what and was able to do the staff was able to do in a short amount of time.

The Wildcats started off the season unranked and are currently not where many expected them to be right now, which is second in the conference, just behind the Jayhawks. Kansas is 16-1 on the season and 5-0 in conference play, and Kansas State is right on their heels at 15-2 and 4-1 in the Big 12. This Wildcat squad has the talent and skill to unseat The Jayhawks as the top team in the conference, and Self is aware of that. Expect the Kansas headman to have his team ready for battle come Tuesday.

Self jokes that Kansas State fans will be ‘excited’ to see Gradey Dick take floor

It’s very easy to hate Gradey Dick. It’s even easier for a rival fanbase to hate him more. The boo’s are almost inevitable when he takes the floor for Tuesday’s Sunflower Showdown between No. 2 Kansas and No. 13 Kansas State.

Jayhawks head coach Bill Self joked about the expected crowd response Dick – a Kansas native – will recieve on the road against the Wildcats ahead of their Big-12 rivalry matchup.

“I’m sure [Kansas State fans] will be exctied to see Gradey over there when he first walks out there for warmups,” Self said Monday. “That’ll be good for him. I’ve always though this, when [Christian Braun] played in it, or Dean Wade played in it, or a player like that – I always thought that it meant more to the kids that are local. We don’t have a lot of those kids, but we have enough that it’s going to mean extra.”

It isn’t just a huge game for the in-state players, Tuesday’s matchup will feature two top-15 teams that want nothing more than to beat the other. A K-State win would be historically significant for the program, who have dropped seven games to the Jayhawks in a row and have a 6-56 all-time record against Kansas since joining the Big 12 in 1996.