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Self slams Kansas’ “attitude” and “effort”

Bill Self

Kansas head coach Bill Self (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

AP

A loss at Allen Fieldhouse over the weekend knocked Kansas out of its place of sole possession of first place in the Big 12, and brought on some pointed words from coach Bill Self.

“You look back to why we’ve lost some games, it’s been attitude,” Self said Monday. “It’s been focus. It’s been preparation. It’s been selfishness. It’s been effort. It’s been energy. It’s been intensity. It’s been competitiveness, or lack thereof.”

The Jayhawks lost to Oklahoma State, 84-79, trailing by as many 18 points. It was the third loss at home this season for Kansas, which historically has one of the more impenetrable home-court advantages in the country.

“If you’re coaching effort, you can never work on execution,” Self said. “It never works that way. If you’re coaching effort, you’re going to stink execution-wise. Period.

“Even selfish guys play for themselves, which is better than playing for no one. We have obviously have gone through periods of time where individuals haven’t played for anyone.”

Self had more than just words as he’s benching LaGerald Vick and moving Mitch Lightfoot into the starting lineup. Kansas hosts TCU on Tuesday night.

“We have couple of guys, starters, who obviously don’t try very hard,” Self said. “It would be nice to have guys compete and play to their athletic ability. We’re going to try to do that”