Kansas Jayhawks Basketball

The specter of NCAA discipline is doing little to dampen Bill Self's enthusiasm ahead of the 2019-20 season.

The Kansas head coach said he's instead using the situation as a catalyst to spur himself and his players on to the new year.

"Certainly, I haven't liked it," Self said, per ESPN's Myron Medcalf and Paula Lavigne. "But it's also, in a strange way, motivating me, probably, in a way that maybe I have never been, to combat this by taking care of our business on the basketball court, working with our players in a way that maybe exceeds any way I've ever done it."

Yahoo Sports reported in September the NCAA had sent a notice of allegations to Kansas.

The Jayhawks are facing a lack of institutional control charge and three Level I violations, which are the NCAA's most significant designation. Self is facing a head coach responsibility charge as well.

The Associated Press' Dave Skretta noted the NCAA will hold a formal hearing, at which point Kansas can present its case against the allegations. A final decision may come "within several months" of that hearing, though Kansas could appeal the ruling and drag the process on further.

The Jayhawks finished 26-10 in 2018-19 and lost in the second round of the NCAA tournament. They head into this year ranked third in the preseason AP Top 25 poll.

Kansas lost Dedric Lawson and Lagerald Vick, its top two leading scorers, but gets Udoka Azubuike and Devon Dotson back. Self also added 4-star small forwards Jalen Wilson and Tristan Enaruna, with 4-star point guard Dajuan Harris redshirting this season.

The NCAA investigation will cast a shadow over Kansas' season, and outcome could carry significant consequences for Self. However, it wouldn't appear the situation will alter his preparation or mindset as he looks to guide the program back to the Final Four for the second time in three years.

Kansas coach Bill Self bristled at the notion the school is thumbing its nose at the NCAA about upcoming sanctions on the program after the controversy surrounding Late Night at the Phog.

"Anybody that knows me knows that I'm not smart enough to figure out some of those things that transpired that would relate to anything other than that moment," Self told reporters Wednesday. "If you followed us, I do stuff for Late Night every year. This year was no different. I just happened to be wearing an Adidas shirt, who happens to be a sponsor for our next 14 years, that helps sponsor the event.

"It was innocently given to me, and I just put it on. And I already addressed and spoke to what happened the other night. I don't know how an entertainer would in any way, shape or form be thought to sticking it to anybody, including the NCAA by having an entertainer perform. I do not love the narrative that has been said concerning that with me, but I also understand that I can't control what the media writes or their opinions, and I do know the people that know me know that's not factually true in any way, shape or form."

Self's black-and-white hype video for Late Night features the coach in an Adidas shirt and wearing a large chain while walking in to announce Snoop Dogg's performance. Kansas later apologized after Snoop's performance featured women dancing on poles and him shooting a fake money gun into the crowd.

Snoop found the controversy regarding the performance odd. He also denied a claim Kansas asked him to leave following the performance. 

"The audience enjoyed that s--t. I don't know what the f--k they talking about," Snoop said on the Howard Stern Show.

Kansas is expected to face major sanctions after being named in the federal pay-for-play investigation. Self could face a suspension for lack of institutional control. Former Adidas consultant T.J. Gassnola pleaded guilty to playing a role in conspiring to get high-level recruits to sign with Kansas and other Adidas-sponsored programs.

The guardian of forward Silvio de Sousa allegedly received a $20,000 payment at the behest of Self and Jayhawks assistant Kurtis Townsend. Gassnola denied Self or any Kansas assistants were aware of the payments. 

Snoop Dogg rapped "gotta give 'em what they want" on Dr. Dre's 1992 smash "Nuthin' But a 'G' Thang," and the 47-year-old thinks he did nothing more or less than exactly that during his controversial performance at Kansas' Midnight Madness on Oct. 4.

"The audience enjoyed that s--t," Snoop told Howard Stern on Tuesday (h/t TMZ Sports). I don't know what the f--k they talking about." 

The Grammy-nominated artist added: "I think it was more the publicity of what I did. They had to cover it up. And I respect them, and I wasn't gonna put no smut on their name and say they did anything wrong because they invited me to come do what I do. ... And when you pay for Snoop Dogg, you're gonna get Snoop Dogg."

The "Late Night at the Phog" event at the university's famed Allen Fieldhouse included clothed pole dancers (NSFW language): 

In the aftermath, KU athletic director Jeff Long issued an apology (h/t ESPN): 

"We apologize for the Snoop Dogg performance at Late Night. We made it clear to the entertainers' managers that we expected a clean version of the show and took additional steps to communicate to our fans, including moving the artist to the final act of the evening, to ensure that no basketball activities would be missed if anyone did not want to stay for his show.

"I take full responsibility for not thoroughly vetting all the details of the performance and offer my personal apology to those who were offended. We strive to create a family atmosphere at Kansas and fell short of that this evening."

Kansas head basketball coach Bill Self said that the performance went in a direction that nobody at the school would have wanted it to go. "Regardless of the entertainment that it provided many, it was still not the right way to provide the entertainment," he said. 

Self had been notified by the NCAA of allegations concerning three Level I violations against himself and the program on Sept. 23, including lack of institutional control.

The university's office of public affairs released a statement in response that it would "fiercely dispute much of what has been presented." 

In the meantime, having Snoop Dogg shoot money into the crowd isn't necessarily the best way to lay low.

Kansas Jayhawks athletic director Jeff Long issued an apology Friday night after a Snoop Dogg performance at the annual "Late Night in the Phog" kickoff event for the men's and women's basketball teams featured pole dancers, a money gun and profanity.

ESPN provided the complete statement from Long, who said the school wanted a "clean" version of a Snoop Dogg concert:

"We apologize for the Snoop Dogg performance at Late Night. We made it clear to the entertainers' managers that we expected a clean version of the show and took additional steps to communicate to our fans, including moving the artist to the final act of the evening, to ensure that no basketball activities would be missed if anyone did not want to stay for his show. I take full responsibility for not thoroughly vetting all the details of the performance and offer my personal apology to those who were offended. We strive to create a family atmosphere at Kansas and fell short of that this evening."

KU men's head coach Bill Self added: "That's not the direction that anybody at our school would want that to go at all. Regardless of the entertainment that it provided many, it was still not the right way to provide the entertainment."

Last month, the university received a notice of allegations from the NCAA for a lack of institutional control, which included five Level I violations and responsibility violations against Self, per ESPN's Mark Schlabach.

The longtime Jayhawks basketball coach, who took over the program in 2003, told Guerin Emig of Tulsa World on Tuesday he's happy to get back to basketball as the situation plays out.

"Well, sure," Self said. "But the whole thing is I can handle this. I'm excited about coaching this team and leading this team and the program during a time where obviously waters are clearly pretty choppy."

He added the NCAA investigation has been and will continue to be "time-consuming," but he's focused on coaching his team through the drama.

Kansas has two exhibition games against the Fort Hays State Tigers (Oct. 24) and Pittsburg State Gorillas (Oct. 31) before kicking off the regular season in a high-profile clash with the Duke Blue Devils at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Nov. 5.

One of the nation's best men's college basketball programs is facing serious charges from the NCAA that could result in significant penalties. 

As first reported by Pat Forde, Pete Thamel and Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports, the NCAA issued a notice of allegations to the University of Kansas on Monday. The men's basketball program was charged with three Level 1 violations and lack of institutional control.

What's more, Bill Self is facing a head coach responsibility charge.

The men's basketball program wasn't the only one impacted, as the football team was charged with less-serious Level 2 violations that include allowing an additional coach to work during practice. 

Director of Athletics Jeff Long released a statement defending Self:

"Obviously, we are disappointed in the allegations leveled against our men's basketball program as well as our self-reported violations from the previous football staff. We strongly disagree with the allegations regarding men's basketball. We fully support Coach Self and his staff, and we will vigorously defend the allegations against him and our University. As for the football violations, we fully met the requirements and our responsibility to the NCAA by self-reporting the violations when our compliance procedures uncovered the issues. I am confident in our process to respond to the allegations and look forward to resolving this matter."

Meanwhile, Self suggested Kansas is merely a scapegoat for the NCAA while denying the allegations:

“By the NCAA's own admission through its public statements early this summer, it's no secret that there is tremendous pressure on the NCAA to respond to the federal court proceedings involving college basketball. Compelled to reassure member institutions and the general public that it can police its member institutions, the NCAA enforcement staff has responded in an unnecessarily aggressive manner in submitting today's unsubstantiated Notice of Allegations, and I, as well as the University, will vigorously dispute what has been alleged."

Given Kansas' status as a blue-blood basketball program and annual national championship contender, any penalties such as postseason bans or loss of scholarships would mark the most significant on-court development in the FBI's investigation into college basketball corruption.

The Yahoo report noted the recruiting of Billy Preston and Silvio De Sousa is directly tied into the Level 1 violations because Adidas consultant T.J. Gassnola testified he paid De Sousa's guardian $2,500. Testimony and documents also revealed Gassnola "conspired to illicitly funnel approximately at least $90,000" to Preston's mother.

What's more, evidence that was presented includes text messages between Self and Gassnola in which the head coach discusses Adidas helping the Jayhawks land recruits. Self even said in one of his text messages: "That's how (it) works. At UNC and Duke." 

Jesse Newell and Steve Vockrodt of the Kansas City Star summarized the process that led to this notice of allegations, pointing out NCAA vice president of regulatory affairs Stan Wilcox said in June at least six schools would receive notice of Level 1 violations. North Carolina State—another Adidas school—received one on July 10 that featured two Level 1 violations.

As Newell and Vockrodt described, it will likely be several months at the earliest until Kansas is punished.

The school has 90 days to respond to this notice, and an NCAA enforcement committee then has 60 days to reply to that response. After that process, there is a hearing with the NCAA committee on infractions that precedes a deliberation period before there is a ruling, which the school can also appeal.

As for the football allegations, Chris Vannini of The Athletic pointed out former head coach David Beaty is suing the school for his buyout after he was fired for cause. He alleged Kansas was seeking violations to justify the firing.

The Yahoo report noted the football allegations occurred under Beaty and not current head coach Les Miles.

The NCAA is reportedly preparing to issue a notice of allegations to the University of Kansas regarding "multiple major violations" within the men's basketball program.

According to Jesse Newell and Steve Vockrodt of the Kansas City Star, the notice of allegations will be a result of the FBI's investigation into schools providing recruits with improper benefits.

Dan Beckler, KU's associate athletic director for public relations, told Newell and Vockrodt that Kansas hasn't yet been notified of any potential violations.

If Kansas does receive a notice of allegations, it may be linked to the program's recruitment of Angolan forward Silvio De Sousa.

Per Blair Kerkhoff of the Kansas City Star, former Adidas employee T.J. Gassnola said in federal court last year that he made payments to the families of De Sousa and former Kansas commit Billy Preston. Gassnola also said Kansas head coach Bill Self was unaware of the payments.

The FBI also wiretapped a call involving Kansas assistant coach Kurtis Townsend, and a discussion allegedly took place regarding a "financial arrangement" being required to land Zion Williamson. Duke University secured Williamson instead, who went on to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft.

The NCAA reportedly doesn't have access to the conversation, however.

De Sousa was ruled ineligible for two years by the NCAA as a result of alleged payments, but he was reinstated in May after being forced to sit out the entire 2018-19 season.

The NCAA determined De Sousa's guardian allegedly accepted a future payment of $20,000 from an Adidas employee, but there was no evidence De Sousa himself had knowledge of the transaction.

Kansas is one of the most successful men's basketball programs in history, with 15 Final Four appearances and three national championships to its credit.

The Jayhawks have also won 61 regular-season conference championships, but their streak of 14 consecutive conference titles came to an end last season when they went 26-10 and were then eliminated in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

Jalen Wilson, a 4-star forward, announced his commitment to Kansas in a Twitter post on Wednesday:

Wilson is the No. 50 overall prospect and 13th-ranked small forward in the 2019 class, per 247Sports. He was the top uncommitted prospect remaining in this class after he reopened his recruitment when John Beilein left Michigan to take the Cleveland Cavaliers' coaching job.

Wilson also considered North Carolina and a recommitment to Michigan. The Wolverines hired Juwan Howard to replace Beilein.  

Wilson said he was going to prioritize a school where he felt he fit a need. 

"(I'm going) to go to a place that's in need for a versatile wing, and the schools that are on me heavy are schools that need a wing," Wilson said in May on Instagram Live. "That's what I'm really going off now—schools that are in need of me."

Kansas had a relatively shaky recruiting class, especially after RJ Hampton announced he was forgoing college to play in New Zealand. The Jayhawks were considered one of Hampton's most likely suitors.

247Sports ranks Kansas as the No. 15 overall recruiting class. Wilson is Bill Self's fourth recruit in the 2019 class, all of whom received 4-star distinction.

Former Iowa Hawkeyes guard Isaiah Moss announced on Twitter Monday that he transferred to Kansas:

Moss, who will be a senior in the 2019-20 season, averaged 9.2 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game last year in 24.1 minutes per game, shooting 39.9 percent from the field and 42.1 percent from three.

For a Kansas team that shot just 35 percent from three last season, tied for 141st in the nation, adding another experienced shooter is a major plus.

Moss will join returning players Udoka Azubuike, Devon Dotson, Silvio De Sousa, Ochai Agbaji, Marcus Garrett, David McCormack and Mitch Lightfoot, while an incoming trio of freshman recruits—Christian Braun, Issac McBride and Tristan Enaruna—will also vie for playing time.

Moss will likely come off the bench as a wing shooter, offering experience and the ability to stretch the floor. His addition gives the team even more depth, as Kansas has quietly reemerged as a major title contender for next season, largely due to the return of Azubuike, Dotson and De Sousa.

Moss, who had originally planned on playing his senior season at Arkansas before having a change of heart, is eligible to play immediately for Kansas since he will be a graduate transfer. So not only does he fill a big need for the Jayhawks, but he'll also do so without needing to sit out a year.

After a disappointing 2018-19 season by their lofty standards, the Jayhawks took another step toward returning to prominence with Monday's announcement. 

Kansas point guard Devon Dotson, who averaged 12.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists as a freshman, announced his return to the Jayhawks after initially declaring for the NBA draft.

Dotson, who was named to the Big 12 All-Freshman team and the conference's third team, helped the Jayhawks reach the conference championship game and the second round of the NCAA tournament.

Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman previously ranked Dotson as the eighth-best point guard in this year's draft class.

He ranked Dotson 43rd on his Dec. 13 big board, although the 6'2", 185-pound floor general eventually fell out of the top 50.

Wasserman wrote the following about Dotson, who he noted could draw "first-round interest in 2020:"

"Effective as a 42.9 percent spot-up shooter and a pick-and-roll ball-handler who can both drive and pass (0.872 PPP, 76th percentile), Dotson generated offense playing on and off the ball. He'd have the rock more at Kansas next year without the offense running through Dedric Lawson (assuming he stays in the draft) and Lagerald Vick. 

"Dotson will need to continue strengthening his lead-guard skills as a scorer (6-of-23 in isolation) and facilitator (3.5 assists to 2.3 turnovers per game). He converted just 6-of-20 pull-ups and 2-of-10 runners—shots he'll need to compensate for his lack of explosion around the basket and questionable range (1.1 made threes per 40 minutes)."

Dotson should have every opportunity to improve his draft stock next season. As Wasserman wrote, he figures to amass more usage with Lagerald Vick and potentially Dedric Lawson headed for the NBA.

Furthermore, the Jayhawks don't have any true point guard recruits arriving on campus in 2019, per 247Sports. Tristan Enaruna and Christian Braun are small forwards, while Issac McBride is a combo guard.

Dotson can also build off the momentum he gathered in last year's postseason. In five games (three in the Big 12 tournament and two in the NCAA tournament), he averaged 15.6 points on 50.9 percent shooting.

Dotson joins a few other returnees that include center Udoka Azubuike (13.4 points, 6.8 rebounds) and Ochai Agbaji (8.5 points, 4.6 rebounds). 

Kansas guard Quentin Grimes has reportedly decided to withdraw his name from the 2019 NBA draft and will enter the transfer portal. 

Evan Daniels of 247Sports reported Grimes' withdrawal. Jayhawks head coach Bill Self announced Grimes' plans to transfer immediately after the decision became public. 

Grimes averaged 8.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game during his freshman season with the Jayhawks. The 6'5", 210-pounder struggled a bit as a shooter, finishing with a 38.4 field-goal percentage.

Rated a 5-star recruit coming out of high school by 247Sports, the Texan did not do nearly enough to impress NBA scouts. Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman did not have Grimes among his top 50 prospects.

Self wished Grimes the best in a statement announcing his intention to transfer: 

"We've all enjoyed coaching Quentin this past year and certainly appreciate his efforts. We initially anticipated him staying in the draft, but he and his family decided to return to college but not return to the University of Kansas. We totally support and respect Quentin and his decision and wish him the very best moving forward. We believe Quentin will have a long professional basketball career and look forward to watching his development."

Grimes' decision to transfer is not much of a surprise, though it will force him to sit out the 2019-20 season. 

At the NBA Draft Combine, Grimes told reporters that he had no complaints about Self.

"I wouldn't say anything negative, honestly. He's just a Hall of Fame coach. Not really too many negative things you can say. I think he just wants the best for you. He's hard on you.

"You like that. You have to have a coach that's hard on you, that's wanting to push you to be the best. So I feel like that's not really a negative. It's a positive in the sense that he wants the best for you."

Grimes should not struggle to find interest in the transfer portal, given he was one of the most sought-after prep players in the country last year. While he had been locked into Kansas for most of his recruitment, he also received interest from Kentucky, Texas and Arizona, among others. It's possible Grimes looks for a situation closer to his home in Texas.

Losing Grimes to the transfer portal should be considered a major disappointment for Kansas, which could have used him after failing to snag RJ Hampton. The Jayhawks were considered a favorite to land the coveted guard before he announced he would be playing professional basketball for the New Zealand Breakers next season.