KU Basketball: Bill Self needs to enforce discipline next season

Last season, KU Basketball ran into some unusual allegations that put the Jayhawks’ mostly clean resumé in question. Whether it was an act of malice by the players or a lack of discipline, Bill Self must fix any problems next season.

The Kansas Jayhawks pride themselves on grabbing the kind of headlines you want to see from a college basketball program. Headlines about winning 13 straight Big 12 titles and the dominance of Allen Fieldhouse make any Jayhawk fan smile. Last season, however, created some eye-popping headlines that no college basketball program would ever want to see.

First, it started with the Jayhawks promising prospect Carlton Bragg when he was accused of domestic violence. Charges were eventually dropped and then reversed, but Bragg still caused more trouble. Following an investigation in the dorm, police recovered a substance found in Bragg’s room, which turned out to be marijuana, and Bragg was suspended for three games.

It would not get much better from there for KU Basketball.

After Bragg’s suspension, Josh Jackson would get into trouble when he vandalized the car of a member of the women’s basketball team in December of the previous year. This incident brought Josh Jackson “house discipline” from Bill Self while the woman involved was suspended one game.

Still, more incidents occurred on the KU Basketball team.

Jackson was once again at fault with a hit and run automobile accident that he failed to mention to Bill Self. This time he would receive a one game suspension during the Big 12 Tournament. That suspension most likely cost the Jayhawks the opening round upset against TCU.

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With Jackson and Bragg now leaving the team it seems all problems are solved… yeah, right. Most likely there are underlying problems in the disciplinary actions of Bill Self and his staff. Josh Jackson got away with vandalism before he actually got suspended while the woman involved received suspension immediately.

It is especially concerning when Jackson just receives in-house discipline for his actions. Not only does it make people question the purpose of the Jayhawks’ disciplinary system, but it also puts trust out on a limb. With a repeated offense, Jackson looks like a basketball superstar that KU cannot afford to suspend because of his team value.

Hopefully, last season is not a foreshadowing to other seasons. If these seasons of incidents continue KU could see NCAA investigation fairly soon. One thing is for sure Bill Self will need to fix the actions that he takes towards the penalties of crimes of team members. KU Basketball has a promising future with new prospects and another chance at a national title.

Hopefully, the Jayhawks can keep their prized prospects and players of great talent out of the trouble that last season had.

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