FORT WORTH, Texas _ Kansas center Udoka Azubuike stood to the immediate left of Bill Self and applauded as athletic director Jeff Long presented Self, the Jayhawks' 17th-year hoops coach, a commemorative game ball Saturday in the visitors locker room of TCU's Schollmaier Arena.
Azubuike, a 7-foot senior who scored 20 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in a 60-46 victory over the Horned Frogs, nodded his approval while reading the inscription "Bill Self 700th career win."
At the same time, the game's other standout performer, Devon Dotson, who scored 18 points and made a career-high 11 assists, high-fived Self, who became a member of the 700 victory club at the still-young age of 57.
"Jeff Long our athletic director got me a ball. I'm surprised he was able to do that seven minutes after the game," said an appreciative Self. He became the second-youngest NCAA Division I men's coach to win 700 games. Bob Knight was 56 years, 4 months old when he hit 700.
Self, who is 700-214 in 27 seasons as a head coach (493-109 at KU) is 57 years, 1 month old.
"My granddaughter (Ella Jane Browning) was here too," added Self, who posed for pictures with family in front of a bulletin board with the number "700" on it.
Long brought the ball with him from Lawrence. It was a ball he made sure to hide from Self until well after a victory was assured.
"We've got some great managers here," Long said, crediting the KU student managers who stashed the ball during the game.
Long during a quick presentation in the locker room, told Self the ball was his, "on behalf of all of your players through the years and especially this group of men and coaches in this room."
Self, who typically downplays such milestone victories, was modest again after win No. 700 Saturday.
"No," Self said, asked if it was a special feat. "Eight-hundred might be," he quickly added, "because that means I've really been around a long time."
It probably was fitting that Self's 700 victory in his 27th season of coaching was all about defense.
The Jayhawks (20-3, 9-1 Big 12) held TCU (13-10, 4-6) to 46 points on 35.2% shooting. The 46 points tied the lowest total allowed by KU in the Self era on an opponent's home court. KU held Texas Tech to 46 points in a 61-46 Jayhawks win on Jan. 12, 2013 in Lubbock, Texas.
"I do think we guarded pretty well," Self said.
TCU, which was led by Desmond Bane's 20 points, made 5 of 22 3s to KU's 4 of 13.
"I think two things _ luck because I think they had some open looks they missed," Self said. "And I think we guarded them well. I'd like to think our team deserves some credit for that. Of the 17 misses, they had probably seven or eight good looks too. We got pretty fortunate there."
KU's Azubuike had a huge game offensively after a slow start. Self benched the big man after three minutes, then after a short time off the court, Azubuike returned to score 14 points, grab nine rebounds and help KU to a 31-18 halftime advantage.
"That was on me," Azubuike said of coming out with low energy.
He said "yes" when asked if Self motivated him on the bench.
What did Self say?
"Not really much. Just 'wake up,' " Self related. "He bounces the ball, hesitates and all that. I told him to wake up. He got an easy basket when he checked in and was more confident after that."
About Azubuike, Self added: "(He was) as bad early as he was good late. We didn't do a good job getting him the ball. His getting 14 shots (10 makes) will always be good for us. I thought he played terrific."
Dotson said Azubuike was "amazing. He worked hard to get his spot down low. He converted. He was dominant around the basket. It was great to see."
The Jayhawks, who led by as many as 15 points, 35-20, with 16:37 to play, saw the lead dip to 44-40 at 6:51.
Dotson then hit a basket and foul shot off a KU steal and Agbaji hit two free throws again off a steal, making it 49-40 KU at 5:47. Dotson then scored again and KU led 51-40 at 4:32. Agbaji then hit a 3 that made it 54-40.
"Think about it ... who other than Devon and Doke really played well?" Self said. "Except everybody else played good defensively. Marcus was not himself offensively," he added of Marcus Garrett, who had no points on 0-of-4 shooting with four assists and three steals in 35 minutes. "Ochai (seven points, four boards) was not a factor offensively. Christian (Braun, no points, 19 minutes) was not a factor offensively. But we guarded."
The Jayhawks seemed pleased to grab win No. 700 for their coach in their first try. His win No. 699 was Monday at home versus Texas.
"I think that's a big accomplishment for coach," Dotson said. "Over the years it takes dedication and hard work. That pays off with 700. I know he's not content. He's been great for us in our development."
