Kansas' Self wins Rawlings Henry Iba Trophy

Bill Self has been named the winner of the U.S. Basketball Writers A ssociation's Rawlings Henry Iba Award – given to the nation's top coach – after leading Kansas to the Big 12 Conference regular-season title in what was believed to be a rebuilding year for the defending NCAA champions.

Self

Self lost all five starters from last season's team. A Big 12 preseason coaches poll predicted the Jayhawks to finish in a tie for third with Baylor. Despite fielding his youngest team in six seasons in Lawrence, the Jayhawks finished 14-2 to the Big 12 title and 25-6 overall. They have won or shared five consecutive Big 12 titles.

Self's rotation included only one player – scoring leader Sherron Collins – who averaged more than 10 minutes during the 2007-08 season. Self also had to rely on two five freshmen, a junior-college transfer who missed half the season and a deep reserve from last season.

Self is a particularly fitting winner of an award named for the man still respectfully referred to as "Mr. Iba." Self is a member of I ba's legendary coaching tree and considers him among his greatest influences. Self played from 1982-85 at Oklahoma State – where Iba coached from 1936-70 – and was an assistant coach for Eddie Sutton, who played for Iba.