Bill Self has had success in Hilton Coliseum ... as a coach at least. KU hoops preview

As a basketball player for the Oklahoma State Cowboys, Bill Self went 0-4 against Iowa State in games played in Hilton Coliseum, the Cyclones’ home for the last 51 seasons.

He’s had better luck in the 14,267-seat building as Kansas’ head coach.

Self’s first 19 Jayhawk teams have won 14 games and lost five in the tradition-rich edifice heading into Saturday’s Big 12 battle between the No. 8 Jayhawks (18-4, 6-3) and No. 13 Cyclones (15-6, 6-3). Tipoff is 11 a.m. with a live telecast on ESPN.

“I think it is better now,” Self said Thursday referring to the atmosphere in Hilton, described as “Hilton Magic” by Des Moines Register writer Buck Turnbull in an article written after the Cyclones defeated then-No. 3-ranked Missouri in February of 1989.

“It wasn’t as good back when I played (1981-82 to ’84-85) because back when I played we weren’t in the top 10 in the country going in there.”

Facing sellout crowds every year, the Jayhawks have won three straight games in Hilton Coliseum entering Saturday’s contest.

“They were good (during Self’s playing days) because obviously (Jeff) Grayer was there. (Jeff) Hornacek was there. Barry Stevens was there. They had great players,” Self said. “To me it wasn’t the same interest level as what it appears now. It’s terrific now. I’ve said it 100 times, the job T.J. (Otzelberger, second-year Cyclone coach) and his staff have done is incredible.”

Self — he did enjoy three wins in four games versus the Cyclones as a player in Oklahoma State’s Gallagher-Iba Arena and finished his playing career 3-4 versus ISU — was a friend of former Iowa State coaching legend Johnny Orr, who died in 2013 at the age of 86. Formerly head coach at Michigan, Orr coached those Iowa State teams that Self competed against as a player.

“I loved Johnny Orr,” Self said. “He was a friend. I’ve driven him around in my car. His daughter lived in Champaign (Illinois, where Self coached three seasons). I knew him pretty well.”

Iowa State’s current team is 11-0 at Hilton Coliseum this season heading into Saturday’s game. The Cyclones’ current home-court win streak is 11, as the Cyclones dropped their regular-season home finale to Oklahoma State in 2021-22. Overall, ISU has recorded a .744 winning mark (593-204) at the arena.

“I’m sure it’ll be dead and everybody will be asleep because of the 11 a.m. start,” Self said jokingly. “It’ll be a great atmosphere. It always is there. It’s one of the best places to play in our league without a doubt. Even though it’s an early start, the team that wakes up first will probably have the best chance to have some success at least early. I anticipate it being a juiced atmosphere.”

KU tripped the Cyclones 62-60 on Jan. 14 at Allen Fieldhouse. Since then, Iowa State has defeated Texas 78-67 in Ames, lost at Oklahoma State 61-59 beat Kansas State in Ames 80-76 and dropped the last two contests: at Missouri (78-61) and at Texas Tech (80-77 in overtime).

It took a bucket from KJ Adams with 12 seconds left and a stop on defense (Caleb Grill missed a potential game-winning three at the buzzer) for KU to attain victory over ISU just a couple weeks ago in Lawrence.

“Grill, … what did he make, six the other day against Tech?” Self said of the senior guard from Wichita. Grill hit 8-of-12 threes and scored 24 points in 37 minutes in ISU’s OT loss to the Red Raiders.

“He has a quick release, has got a green light,” Self added of the player who scored three points on 1-of-8 shooting (1-of-6 from three) versus KU in the first meeting against the Jayhawks at Allen Fieldhouse.

Added Self: “Gabe (Kalscheur, 23 points vs. KU; 18.1 points per game on the season) to me has kind of emerged as one of the best players in our league. He is a real guard, can get his own shot, shoot off the catch, has size, can guard multiple positions, is the best charge taker in our league. He’s a winner.”

Center Osun Osunniyi scored 14 points and retrieved six rebounds and Robert Jones grabbed nine more off the glass versus KU in the first meeting. Gradey Dick hit five threes and scored 21 points, while Jalen Wilson had 16 points and Adams had 15 more.

This game, plus Monday’s home game against Texas, could have huge implications for KU in the league race.

Currently Texas leads the pack with a 7-2 record followed by KU, ISU, Kansas State and TCU at 6-3. Baylor is 5-4, followed by Oklahoma State (4-5), West Virginia and Oklahoma (2-7) and Texas Tech (1-8).

“I’ve been amazed eight games in a row. I can’t remember ever going through a stretch like this since I’ve been at Kansas,” Self said. The Jayhawks are in a stretch of playing seven ranked teams plus Kentucky, which is currently unranked but was a top five team in the preseason AP Top 25.

“It’s good for our league, good for fans. all those things. I’m looking at Saturday-Monday, what can we possibly do to play great in Ames and come back and respond on Monday?” Self added.

Self was asked Thursday if this gauntlet of rough games in the Big 12 could affect how KU plays in the NCAA Tournament. Will Big 12 teams be worn out this postseason?

“That’s very well possible for everybody in our league. I don’t know any coach or AD or fanbase would say, ‘OK, let’s sacrifice the league to make sure we’re more rested for the tournament,’’’ Self said. “Now you are going to be an 11-seed instead of a 4-seed (or) 3-seed.

“The best thing you can do is play your best with what is in front of you, as long as you are not putting guys at risk with injuries. I’m not looking at it at all we need to rest guys or anything. We need to win today. That’s how I look at it.”