Jalen Wilson, Gradey Dick open up on how Kansas came together after Bill Self's hospitalization

Ahead of Kansas‘ Big 12 Tournament game against West Virginia, it was announced that Bill Self had entered the hospital. Shortly after, the school announced that Self is going to miss the remainder of the Big 12 Tournament.

Despite this adversity, Kansas took care of business against West Virginia. Afterward, star players Jalen Wilson and Gradey Dick opened up about how the team was handling Bill Self’s hospitalization.

“With him not being here it brought us together even more through the adversity we’ve been through the entire season,” Jalen Wilson said.

“That makes us come together more and play as team. It’s bigger than us. We played for our entire family across Kansas, and just another moment to prove how tight this group is and no matter what’s going on the outside noise, that we’re a team and we’re family.”

Gradey Dick agreed with Jalen Wilson, adding that this is what Bill Self would want from them.

“Exactly what Jalen said,” Gradey Dick said. “Just coming together through it all, and Coach Self would obviously want that. A lot of what he preaches is what best players, when some guys out or whatnot, he’s always preaching next man up, and in this case it was coach. It’s kind of a little similar to the start of the season. It’s a little more serious now with Coach Self, but we’re here and it’s all good and just pray for him.”

Kansas plays a tough Iowa State team on Friday.

Norm Roberts on dealing with Bill Self’s absence

Norm Roberts has taken over as Kansas’ interim head coach. Ahead of the game, Roberts explained how the team was dealing with Bill Self’s absence

“Well we always say next man up. We always say faces change, expectations don’t, and that’s what coach preaches every day and our guys know that. We know he’s in good hands, he’s doing well and all those things,” Roberts said.

“Well, get the guys going, get them focused into the game, worry about the situations that are going on. Play the next play, don’t worry about things and stay positive the whole time.”