For more than two decades, coach Bill Self has been the steady heartbeat of the Kansas men’s basketball team. He has led the Jayhawks through championship runs, high-pressure tournaments, and record-setting seasons. But as the team left to take the court in Boulder against the Colorado Buffaloes for their latest game, all eyes were on the sidelines as the coach was notably missing.

And the reason behind it? Health-related issue.

According to the school, Self recently checked into Lawrence Memorial Hospital after feeling under the weather. And although he received IV fluids and was reported to be feeling better, the team moved forward without him for the matchup scheduled at 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday.

“Kansas men’s basketball coach Bill Self felt under the weather earlier today and, out of an abundance of caution, was taken to LMH Health, where he received IV fluids. He is feeling better, but did not accompany the team to Boulder,” the school wrote in their statement.

However, this is not the first time Self has stepped away from coaching duties for health reasons. Back in July, he underwent a heart procedure that included the insertion of two stents after experiencing concerning symptoms.

In 2023, Self missed both the Big 12 Tournament and the NCAA Tournament due to a similar heart-related procedure. But despite these challenges, Self has maintained one of the most successful tenures in college basketball, leading Kansas to 637 wins and 161 losses, two national championships, and an NCAA Tournament appearance every year it has been held.

For now, with Bill Self sidelined, the focus turns to how the Jayhawks will perform on the court against Colorado.

Kansas Jayhawks vs. Colorado Buffaloes: Game Preview

How to watch?

Date & Time: Tuesday, January 20, at 10:00 p.m. CST.

Venue: CU Events Center, Boulder, CO

TV: FuboTV, Disney+, and Hulu.

Projected Starting Lineups

Kansas Jayhawks:

Colorado Buffaloes:

The Jayhawks will enter the matchup after back-to-back home wins against No. 2 Iowa State and Baylor. And while the Jayhawks have looked sharp at Allen Fieldhouse, the bigger question now is whether that form can travel away from home.

Offensively, Kansas has averaged 78 points per game, while holding opponents to just 67.5. On the other hand, Colorado plays at a faster clip, scoring 83.2 points per game while allowing 77.2. ESPN projects the matchup in favor of the Jayhawks, giving Kansas a 79.9% chance to win, but the road environment remains the looming test.

But the bigger question right now remains: Who will guide the Jayhawks in the absence of their head coach?

Veteran Coaching presence steadies Jayhawks

Kansas has multiple options if Self is unable to coach, drawing on a staff with both experience and deep ties to the program. Last season, longtime assistant Norm Roberts served as interim coach during Self’s absence, though he has since retired.

This season, Jeremy Case, who has been recently promoted to associate head coach, is the obvious candidate to fill the role. In addition, the program added Jacque Vaughn, a former NBA head coach with experience leading teams in Orlando and Brooklyn, while Kurtis Townsend, the longest-tenured assistant, continues to play a critical role in guiding the squad.

While Bill Self’s presence on the bench is irreplaceable, this coaching bench provides the team with leadership and tactical experience to navigate Tuesday’s game and the challenging stretch ahead if the coach remains absent.