ANTHONY GORGES
Hutch Post
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The annual Big 12 Media Days in Kansas City look a little different this year. Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark and his staff have combined the men’s and women’s media day events, featuring half the conference Tuesday and the other half Wednesday at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City.
“Thrilled to be back in Kansas City, and specifically at T-Mobile Center,” Yormark said to begin his news conference. “The momentum and relevance of Big 12 basketball has never been better,” he added.
Eight men’s and women’s teams addressed the media Tuesday for Day 1 in Kansas City, marking the most media credentials ever issued for the Big 12’s basketball media days.
“The Big 12 remains the second-best basketball league, behind only the NBA. The depth across our conference has never been stronger,” Yormark said.
The teams that addressed the media Tuesday were Arizona State, Baylor, Cincinnati, Colorado, Iowa State, Kansas, Texas Tech and Utah.
The other eight teams in the conference will take part Wednesday: Arizona, BYU, Houston, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, TCU, UCF and West Virginia.
Kansas Jayhawks Highlights
Representing the Kansas Jayhawks were head coach Bill Self, senior forward Keanu Dawes, a transfer from Utah; sophomore guard Kohl Rosario; and freshman guard Tyran Stokes, the nation’s No. 1 recruit.
Self enters his 24th season as Kansas’ head coach and is ready to get back to work despite past retirement rumors.
“I don’t know if there is something left to prove, but I know there is more work to be done for sure,” Self said.
Self is excited about the roster he and his staff have assembled and looks forward to coaching Stokes, another highly rated recruit.
Speaking about Stokes, Self said, “His basketball IQ is incredibly high. The other thing is, when he is playing at his highest level, he’s a passer first and scorer second. Guys love playing with him.”
Kansas recently added players from last season, Melvin Council Jr. and Tre White, after NCAA developments and court rulings gave them another year of eligibility. The Jayhawks also signed Purdue transfer Trey Kaufman-Renn on Monday.
When asked about the recent additions, Self defended Kansas’ decision to sign Kaufman-Renn late in the offseason, following the recent court rulings granting additional eligibility.
“Nobody controls when the court dates are,” Self said. “If we don’t play with him, we’re gonna play against him. So all I want to do within the guidelines that have been set, how do we get our best team together. That’s it, there’s no disruption as far as creating a situation.”
Kansas will play its second exhibition game Wednesday night, Oct. 21, hosting Louisville. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m., and the game will be televised on ESPN.
Day 2 of the Big 12 Media Days in Kansas City begins on Wednesday at 8:40 a.m.