KU Sports
Men's Basketball
(https://www2.kusports.com/sports/college/basketball-men/)
Bill Self's Excitement for the Team
Kansas head coach Bill Self's enthusiasm for the men's basketball team was on full display during Late Night in the Phog on Friday, October 17, 2025. The event featured a creative take on the reality show "Love Island," where Self selected all 16 players, emphasizing the team's fun and fast-paced nature.
In his speech, Self expressed his genuine love for the team, highlighting their blend of youthful energy and experienced players. He stated, "I love this team. This team is fun. This team is fast." He also set a high bar for the team's performance, stating that "OK at the University of Kansas is not good enough."
The team's introduction included a diverse group of players: freshmen Corbin Allen, Samis Calderon, Paul Mbiya, Darryn Peterson, and Kohl Rosario, along with transfers Melvin Council Jr., Jayden Dawson, Nginyu Ngala, and Tre White. Each player made a strong first impression, with Council's cartwheel and Rosario's hat-throwing standing out. The crowd's applause was particularly loud for Peterson and the final player introduced, sophomore center Flory Bidunga.
A highlight of the event was a skit with high production values, featuring Self traveling through a championship-ring-operated "time portal" to recruit Jayhawks from different eras. The skit included notable players like Flory Bidunga as Wilt Chamberlain, Tony Bland as Paul Pierce, Darryn Peterson as Danny Manning, and more. This creative approach added to the excitement and engagement of the event.
After the skit, Self conducted a giveaway to two KU students from Parker, Colorado, who successfully made half-court shots, winning $7,500 each. The event then transitioned into a scrimmage, where the players were divided into crimson and blue teams. The red team, led by Darryn Peterson and Flory Bidunga, emerged victorious with a score of 27-23.
Peterson's performance was impressive, leading all players with 12 points on 12 shots. The scrimmage showcased the players' energy and teamwork, with a particularly exciting sequence of alley-oop dunks by Peterson and Rosario. Self, usually not pleased with scrimmage outcomes, acknowledged the positive impact of the adrenaline and teamwork on the players' performance.
Senior guard Jayden Dawson did not participate in the scrimmage due to a sore knee, but Self assured that it was not a major concern. With the season opener approaching, KU's men's basketball team is gearing up for a challenging schedule, including a road exhibition at Louisville, a preseason contest against Fort Hays State, and the season opener against Green Bay.
As the season progresses, fans can expect more exciting moments and a strong showing from the team, with Self's enthusiasm and leadership driving the program forward.
