Playing a difficult nonconference schedule usually benefits Kansas’ basketball team on NCAA Tournament Selection Sunday.
Months before that, however, it can make for some stressful hours of preparation in KU coach Bill Self’s office.
“I do think it prepares you for league without question. But the other thing is I do think it would be nice to not have to sweat every single moment,” said Self, KU’s 16th-year coach, whose Jayhawks have claimed a No. 1 or 2 seed in nine straight NCAAs.
His No. 2-ranked Jayhawks (7-0), who will play host to Western Athletic Conference favorite New Mexico State (7-1) at 7:30 p.