Bill Self Wants Kansas to 'React Like Men' After Embarrassing Loss

The Jayhawks suffered a blowout defeat to Iowa State, and Self is calling for a strong response from his team.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Kansas basketball coach Bill Self is demanding that his team 'react like men' after the Jayhawks suffered a 74-56 blowout loss to Iowa State on Saturday. Self acknowledged the difficulty of winning on the road in the highly competitive Big 12 conference, but expects his squad to bounce back from the poor performance.

Why it matters

Kansas is one of the top teams in the country, and this loss to Iowa State was an embarrassing setback. Self's comments highlight the high expectations for the Jayhawks and the need for them to show mental toughness in the face of adversity as they navigate a challenging conference schedule.

The details

The loss to Iowa State snapped Kansas' winning streak. While there's no shame in losing on the road against a tough Big 12 opponent, Self was disappointed with his team's showing. He emphasized the depth of the conference and noted that even the best teams will suffer defeats away from home. Now, Self wants to see his players respond with a 'man'-like effort as they prepare for upcoming games against Oklahoma State and Cincinnati.

  • Kansas lost to Iowa State on Saturday, February 15, 2026.
  • Kansas will play at Oklahoma State on Wednesday, February 19, 2026.
  • Kansas will host Cincinnati on Saturday, February 22, 2026.

The players

Bill Self

The head coach of the Kansas Jayhawks basketball team, who has led the program to 16 Big 12 regular season titles and 8 Big 12 Tournament titles.

Joshua Schulman

A reporter for Sports Illustrated who covered Self's comments after the Iowa State game.

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What they’re saying

“In this league? Guys, it's a good chance it's going to happen again. It's a good chance Iowa State will lose again. It's a good chance Arizona will lose again. This league is good, and especially away from home. So, how do you think we'll react? God, I hope we react like men, because in February, when you play conference games and you play away from home, there's a great chance even the best teams leave unhappy. So we just can't let one become two.”

— Bill Self, Head Coach, Kansas Jayhawks (Sports Illustrated)

What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.