KU Jayhawks coach Bill Self lauds Jalen Wilson’s ‘making winning plays at game point’

Kansas’ men’s basketball team has won 39 consecutive regular-season home finales, including 19 straight Senior Night contests during the Bill Self era.

The Jayhawks will put those impressive streaks on the line Tuesday against Texas Tech. The game tips off at 8 p.m. at Allen Fieldhouse, with a live broadcast on ESPN.

Forward Jalen Wilson and guard Kevin McCullar will be introduced with their parents before the game as part of Senior Night festivities. They will deliver speeches after the contest, with 20th-year KU coach Self handling the introductions after what he hopes will be another victory to close the home portion of KU’s schedule.

“I don’t know there’s one that stands out,” Self said Monday when asked to pinpoint his all-time favorite Senior Night. “We had five seniors in 2008 (Jeremy Case, Darnell Jackson, Sasha Kaun, Russell Robinson, Rodrick Stewart and walk-on Brad Witherspoon).

“Aaron, Keith, Mike, Wayne — that was a big one,” Self added of the 2005 class of Aaron Miles, Keith Langford, Michael Lee and Wayne Simien.

“Obviously, when my son finished up,” Self added of Tyler Self’s Senior Day in 2017. “And when Frank (Mason, 2017) and Devonté (Graham) finished up (2018), and Ochai (Agbaji, 2022). Those are all huge.”

A moment later, Self seemed to pause.

“I shouldn’t mention just those,” he said. “They are a small piece of a much bigger group (of all former players who played at KU for four seasons).

“This one will be extra special because Kevin (McCullar) graduates. He’s been great for us. Very few have left this place a lot better off than they found it than Jalen (Wilson) has. I’m very excited for him.”

It could be an extra-special Senior Night for the Jayhawks if they keep alive their remarkable season-ending home-winning streak. If KU (24-5, 12-4) beats Texas Tech (16-13, 5-11), the Jayhawks will assure themselves at least a share of the Big 12 regular-season title.

It would be Self’s 17th league title in 20 seasons at KU.

Wilson, a 6-foot-8, 225-pound fourth-year junior, averages a Big 12-leading 19.6 points a game. He also leads the league in rebounding at 8.4 per contest. Wilson’s nine double-doubles lead the league.

“I’ve thought about this the last couple days,” Self said. “I really don’t know if we’ve had anybody who wants to win, where the will to win is any better than his (Wilson). He is a stud. Even when he doesn’t perform his best there is never a question of his will to win being compromised at all.

“I think that separates him from about all of them when it comes to that — from toughness, competitiveness, but there’s an extra element when you talk about making winning plays at game point. I don’t know if we’ve had anybody do it better than Jalen Wilson has.

“I’m proud of him and happy for him,” Self added, noting, “he deserves hopefully any postseason accolades he’ll get. It remains to be seen what that is and there is still a chapter to be written before that. He’s been an absolute treat to coach.”

Details on Wilson’s KU commitment

KU landed a commitment from Denton, Texas native Wilson during the recruiting process only after Michigan coach John Beilein left the Wolverines to go to the NBA in the spring of 2019. Wilson decommitted from Michigan, ultimately selecting KU over North Carolina.

“I screwed it up in high school,” Self said. “He was a Kansas guy, ready to go. I didn’t pull the trigger (and offer him a scholarship). I thought it was a little early in the process. We had a chance to evaluate some others. He was ready to do it (commit to KU).

“We went from maybe being right in the lead to now, ‘It’s over. He’s ready to go somewhere else (Michigan).’ When coach Beilein left he (Wilson) became available. We got him in and tried to do it (sign him) as quick as possible.”

Dajuan Harris practices

KU junior point guard Dajuan Harris, who suffered a foot injury with just over a minute left in Saturday’s 76-74 win over West Virginia, practiced Monday. Barring any setback, he will be able to play against Texas Tech, Self said on his Hawk Talk radio show.

Allen renovations coming

KU will soon announce renovation plans for Allen Fieldhouse, Self said on the Hawk Talk show.

The football program announced its own renovations on Monday.

“They are definitely coming,” Self said of renovations at the fieldhouse. “It’s going to make this place the coolest place, not only inside the arena but outside the arena too. Major things are going to be taking place but it’s not going to be introduced until ... I don’t know, in the next week to 10 days.

“That’s all I’m going to say, but when you see the renderings and everything you are going to be really excited. It’s big time.”