On Monday afternoon, Bill Self conducted his weekly press conference in Lawrence and touched on a number of topics.
-- First, Self said that KJ Adams is going to get there, but he isn't there quite yet. Self said that he is playing out of position and then you're asking him to be an inside presence, which he isn't going to be, offensively, at least yet. Self said he told KJ that it's not fair what they are asking him to do, but Self said he doesn't care. He just wants to be out on the court. Self also said that Adams is close to being an effective player for Kansas, but Self also said that KJ would be more effective at the four spot.
-- When asked about Bobby Pettiford, Self said so much of his situation is due to health. Self would like to throw him out on the court but admitted that Bobby is still limited on how much they can throw him out on the court. Self said he isn't close to being 100 percent and you likely won't see the real Pettiford until he's at 100 percent. Self added that he's trending in the right direction.
-- Self said that Zach Clemence is still out and will probably be out at least another week. Self said he doesn't know that for sure, but was under the impression, last week, that it would probably be another two weeks, so he's looking at Zach being out at least another week.
-- Self said Kansas, on Tuesday night, is going to have to do a better job on its scouting report when it comes to Izaiah Brockington. Self said they did a good job the first time around and he still got 17. Self said he got to his left hand, only once or twice where he was able to finish. Self said Brockington was able to wear Kansas out late game, just playing isolation and going one-on-one. Self said he doesn't consider that bad defense, but rather making a play that was fairly well defended.
-- When asked about Remy Martin, Self said he's playing on a leg and a half. Self said he's trying and doing great at treatment. He just can't move and is struggling. Self said it's day-to-day or week-to-week, or whatever. Self made it clear that Remy is trying and Self totally respects that. Self said Remy didn't come here not to play and he didn't come to Kansas not to be 100 percent. According to Self, Martin is playing at around 60 or 70 percent. When asked if resting Martin is an option, Self said they are talking about a lot of stuff. Self said it would probably benefit Martin to rest, but added that that's a discussion he will have with the doctors and trainers and everything.
-- Self said KU got whipped on Saturday, but he isn't sure there was a better team in America on Saturday. They were great, they were terrific, they were poised, and they were mature, according to Self. He added that Kentucky looked like a real team, a team that has a chance to win it all.
-- Self said that David McCormack isn't 100 percent healthy and he's not going to be 100 percent healthy this season. Self said his foot is sore and those sorts of things, which Self said isn't an excuse, but just where David is health-wise.
-- Self said KU's transition defense is correctable. Self said that is something they emphasized hard, they didn't execute it very well and there are reasons for that, according to Self, one being Remy couldn't run. There are some things that can be corrected, according to Self. He also made it clear that losing at Texas Tech is a far worse loss than losing to Kentucky.
-- Self said they didn't watch any Kentucky tape following the game. Self said he talked a little bit about what he was most disappointed about was the things they chart they think are important from an effort standpoint. And that was at a very low level compared to what it was at all other games this year. That was due, in large part, to the fact the balls that Kentucky got or the effort plays they made, eliminated the hustle plays that KU could have made, and Self was not encouraged by that at all.
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