Bill Self: Kansas Fans “Don’t Give a Flip” About MU Rivalry

Bill Self hasn’t shed any tears over Missouri’s 2012 move to the SEC, apparently.

"We couldn’t care less what Missouri wants. If in fact they want to play us, it will be strictly determined if we want to. It will not be determined by other people, because I’ll be honest, the majority of Kansas fans don’t give a flip about playing Missouri."

Missouri and Kansas have played 265 basketball games, dating back to the 1906-1907 season, when James Naismith — the, uh, founder of the game of basketball — was Kansas’ head coach.

Self’s comments seem boorishly arrogant, given that history. The majority of Kansas fans certainly “give a flip” about playing their most significant rival. Why would a move to the SEC reverse that sentiment? Why would Kansas’ basketball coach attempt to minimize a rivalry that dates back to Union v. Confederacy?

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I’m curious: why wouldn’t the MU-KU rivalry continue? Florida v. Florida State, anyone? Clemson v. South Carolina? Iowa and Iowa State? There is a precedent for non-conference rivalries, and Missouri/Kansas is undoubtedly worth preserving.

The only question — it seems — is whether or not Kansas gives a flip. Bill Self has spitefully assured us that it does not.

I truly hope he’s wrong.