Kansas Jayhawks Head Coach Bill Self Reveals What Makes This Kansas Team Different From His Previous Teams

Bill Self has coached plenty of talented Kansas basketball teams throughout his Hall of Fame career, but this year's group is already showing him something he appreciates. Following the Jayhawks' win over Kentucky, Self discussed the team's natural energy and explained why coaching this group has been a different experience from the previous couple of seasons.

Kansas head coach Bill Self has spent more than two decades building successful basketball teams in Lawrence, but his latest group is giving him something he has wanted to see more of: consistent emotion, energy and excitement.

Following Kansas' 89-69 victory over Kentucky in the Champions Classic, Self discussed what has stood out about this year's team and how its mentality compares to some of his previous squads.

Self made an interesting observation when discussing the team's energy, explaining that he would rather have a group he needs to calm down than one he constantly has to motivate.

"You'd much rather coach a team that you want to try to calm down than you'd have to do this," Self said.

The comment provided an interesting look into what Self has experienced with his previous Kansas teams. During the last couple of seasons, he explained that he had spent more time trying to get his players emotionally invested and fired up before games.

This year's team has presented a different challenge.

Instead of constantly searching for ways to generate excitement, Self has a group that naturally brings plenty of emotion whenever it takes the floor. That type of energy can be valuable throughout a long college basketball season, especially when the Jayhawks face difficult opponents and challenging environments.

The victory over Kentucky provided a perfect example of that mentality.

Kansas came out with confidence against one of college basketball's most recognizable programs and never allowed the Wildcats to establish much momentum. The Jayhawks played with intensity on both ends of the floor, eventually turning the matchup into a convincing 20-point victory.

Veterans such as Tre White helped establish that tone, while freshman Tyran Stokes also brought plenty of emotion to the national stage. White finished with a career-high 30 points, while Stokes contributed 23 points and 10 rebounds.

Those performances demonstrated the offensive talent Kansas possesses, but Self's comments suggest that the team's personality could become just as important as its production.

Having players who consistently bring energy can help establish a competitive environment throughout practices and games. It can also make a difference when the team faces adversity or needs a spark during difficult stretches.

Self has consistently emphasized the importance of toughness and competitiveness during his time at Kansas. However, having a group that brings those qualities naturally makes his job a little different this season.

The Jayhawks improved to 3-0 following their victory over Kentucky, giving them another early-season opportunity to build chemistry and continue developing their identity.

There is still plenty of basketball left to play, but Self's comments offer an encouraging sign about the mentality of this year's Kansas team.  JayhawksRoundtable.