March 17, 2016

Bill Self Named a Finalist for Naismith Coach of the Year

ATLANTA – Kansas’ Bill Self has been named one of four finalists for the Naismith Men’s College Coach of the Year Award, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced Thursday.

Joining Self, the 2012 Naismith Men’s College Coach of the Year, is Jay Wright of Villanova, Tom Crean of Indiana and Chris Mack of Xavier.

The winner will be announced on Sunday, April 3, at the Naismith Awards brunch at the NCAA Men’s Final Four in Houston.

Under Self, No. 1 Kansas (30-4, 15-3) won its 12th-straight, 16th Big 12 and NCAA-leading 59th overall regular season title in 2015-16. Kansas also won the Big 12 Postseason Championship and the 2015 Maui Invitational in 2015-16. Kansas’ 30 wins heading into its NCAA Championship opening-round game against Austin Peay (3 p.m. Central on TNT) are the most in the nation.

Kansas is No. 1 in both Associated Press and USA Today Coaches’ polls and has been ranked No. 1 five times by AP and four times by the coaches in 2015-16. Kansas has ranked seventh or higher in every poll this season.

The Jayhawks posted two winning streaks of 13 games or more in 2015-16: 13 from Nov. 23-Jan. 9, and 14 from Jan. 30-present. Additionally, Kansas is 11-3 against nationally-ranked teams in 2015-16, including 4-0 versus top-10 teams. The 11 wins are the most in a season in Jayhawks history. Kansas holds the No. 1 RPI and No. 5 toughest schedule, while the Big 12 Conference has the No. 1 RPI among all league in 2015-16.

The four finalists were chosen by the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s national voting academy, comprised of leading journalists from around the country, current and former head coaches, former award winners and conference commissioners. The committee based its selections on outstanding coaching performances during the 2015-16 college basketball season.

Naismith Men’s College Coach of the Year Finalists
Tom Crean, Indiana
Chris Mack, Xavier
BILL SELF, KANSAS
Jay Wright, Villanova

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