Bill Self gives ’emotional’ confession after Arizona win

Kansas basketball delivered one of the most important wins of the season on Monday night, and the aftermath revealed just how much it meant Bill Self. After the No. 9 Jayhawks knocked off No. 1 Arizona without star freshman Darin Peterson, the longtime head coach admitted the moment carried unusual emotions.

The The Jayhawks entered the night after Petersonthe team’s top scorer, was ruled out just before the tip-off due to illness. Facing an undefeated Wildcats team that arrived 23–0, the challenge seemed steep even inside Allen Fieldhouse.

Arizona controlled long stretches early, building an 11-point lead in the second half. Kansas didn’t take its first lead until the 9:32 mark of the half. Still, the Jayhawks remained composed, relying on inside play and timely free throws to fight back.

With Peterson sidelined, Kansas relied on Florio Bidunga and Melvin Council Jr. to carry the offense. The pair combined for 46 points, anchoring a comeback that sealed an 82–78 victory and ended Arizona’s perfect season.

After the win, the significance extended beyond the result. KUsports.com’s Henry Greenstein shared Self’s postgame musings on X (formerly known as Twitter), recording the coaches an honest assessment of where the team is it stands.

“I think I was probably a little more emotional because we’re better than what we’ve been playing when we get all our pieces. It’s exciting for me. . . . I don’t know where our ceiling is. I know we’re not close to that.”

The comment reflected both relief and conviction. Kansas beat the No. 1-ranked team in the country without its star freshman, reinforcing the idea that the roster still has untapped layers.

Self-recognition it also reshaped the trajectory of the season. Instead of peaking early, Kansas continues to discover its identity as February unfolds, even in adversity.

The win improved Kansas to 19–5 and tightened the Big 12 race, but its impact ran deeper. For a program measured by success in March, the win without Peterson was a testament to resilience and growth.

Kansas may not know its ceiling yetas Self said, but Monday night showed it’s far from settled.