Self: Kentucky may look better on paper, but the games not played on paper

April 01, 2012|By HEATHER WILLIAMS | Eyewitness Sports

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana — Kansas head coach Bill Self will be the first to admit the Kentucky Wildcats are an impressive team on paper.

"But I've never known the game to played on paper," said Self. "I haven't seen anyone pick us."

It's that 'sure we are the underdogs, but we don't care' attitute, that has driven the Jayhawks the entire season.

"It don't bother us," said Tyshaun Taylor. "They had a great year so the expectations should be high this year. I think what we think is, we match up with them well, we feel confident going into this game. And I think that's what it comes down to, we cant worry Kentucky. We just do what we do and I think we will be fine."

"If we stick to our script and do what we do best, we will be fine," said Thomas Robinson. "We really can't listen to what people's predictions are. We're the only people that have to go out there and play the game."

This team is playing with a lot of confidence right now, fueled by they fact they they play their games on the edge and seem to thrive on it.

"These guys have been apart huge games. These guys have played as many big games as any one in the country. I think they like the moment," said Self. "No team likes to sweat it out for 38 games, no teams does. But you got to play a lot of close games because as you get close in the season, you know you have to play close games to win it all."

Which is why Coach Self likes his chances on Monday.

"They've been the best team in the county, basically from start to finish,"said Self. "But the thing about it is, I like our guys, I think they are talented, too.

"I truley believe in my heart we can beat anyone. We may not beat them in a series, but I truely believe we could beat anyone."

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