Bill Self brushes off becoming winningest coach in Kansas history, passing Phog Allen

 Bill Self brushed off becoming winningest coach in Kansas basketball history, even as he surpassed guy whose name is on arena.

“It means I'm old,” 61-year-old Self said with a slight grin. “And it means I've h a lot of really good players.”

Self claimed top spot at one of college basketball's most storied programs Tuesday night when No. 1 Kansas held off Michigan State 77-69 at Champions Classic in Atlanta.

Self improved to 591-143 in his 22nd season coaching Jayhawks, pushing him past Phog Allen’s mark of 590-219 in 39 seasons on Kansas sideline. Including stints at Oral Roberts, Tulsa and Illinois, Self is two wins away from 800 in his career.

Jayhawks, of course, play at Allen Fieldhouse — named in honor of Hall of Fame coach whose brilliant career spanned most of first half of 20th century.

y may have to put Self's name on building, too.

“I hn't thought about that at all,” he said of passing Allen's mark. “I'm certainly proud about it, but Phog Allen is still gonna be all-time best coach at Kansas.”

That's not way Self's players see it.

“It’s really special,” said 7-foot-2 center Hunter Dickinson, who led Jayhawks with 28 points and 12 rebounds. “He’s never going to mit it. He’s always going to try to downplay it and give off credit, but he’s best coach in Kansas basketball history. We’re super special and fortunate to be playing for him.”

Fifth-year guard Dajuan Harris Jr. was proud to be part of his coach's record-setting night.

“Coach Self changed my life. All credit goes to him,” Harris said. “I just want to be re for him because he’s been re for me."

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, winningest coach in his school's history with 709, credited Self for getting most out of players such as Zeke Mayo.

Jayhawks guard was held to six points on 2-of-8 shooting, but he still managed to impact game with 10 rebounds and seven assists.

“That’s a credit to Bill and his staff, how y get a kid who’s not playing well to do or things to help his team win,” Izzo said. “I give Bill a lot of credit for that. I did not get that out of a couple of my guys. y didn’t shoot it well, y didn’t rebound it well, and y didn’t guard it well.”

Jayhawks are coming off a subpar season by ir high standards.

A year ago, y opened at No. 1 and won 13 of ir first 14 games, only to go 10-10 rest of way — including a 5-7 mark in ir final dozen contests. campaign ended with an ugly 89-68 blowout to Gonzaga in second round of NCAA Tournament.

Self and his players are intent on putting that disappointment firmly in rearview mirror.

“I just want to win basketball games,” Harris said. "All he cares about is winning, and I care about winning. So I just want to keep winning games. It’s my last year with him, too, so I want to win every game with him.”

No matter what happens rest of his career, Self's legacy at Program That Phog Built is secure.

“I know fans realize that he’s best coach to come through here,” Dickinson said. “We're just trying to win more basketball games for him, trying to make him even better than he is.”