Kansas coach Self says no more Facebook questions

Jan 22, 2010 - 7:56 PM By DOUG TUCKER AP Sports Writer

LAWRENCE, Kan.(AP) -- An annoyed Bill Self said Friday that reports of Tyshawn Taylor's saying on Facebook that he might want to transfer out of Kansas are untrue.

Shortly after Internet rumors began flying Wednesday night that the talented sophomore had indicated he might want to leave the No. 3 Jayhawks, Taylor's Facebook page was taken down.

The 6-foot-3 sophomore has had Facebook problems before. After one of the two scuffles between basketball and football players last fall, he posted that he had injured his thumb "throwing a punch." He was later treated for a thumb injury.

The recent rumors were reported in at least one newspaper blog.

"I heard yesterday somebody was reporting on Facebook but didn't even know the exact deal what they were reporting," Self said. "I'm not going to even comment on that. That's a non-factor with me."

Taylor played only 15 minutes in the victory Wednesday night over No. 25 Baylor, but had five assists and no turnovers. He is averaging 6.9 points. A week ago, he indicated to reporters that he wasn't sure what his role was on the talent-rich team that includes preseason All-Americans Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich and freshman sensation Xavier Henry.

A few players spent time with reporters before practice Friday but a Kansas spokesman said Taylor was not available.

Asked if Taylor had indeed posted that he might want to transfer, Self said, "I don't think that's even remotely true. But if he has said that, which I do not think to be the case, then that's the reason he's not playing well - because his head's not right."

Reports of Taylor's desire to leave, Self said, were not "even remotely true."

The Jayhawks (17-1, 3-0 Big 12), who play at Iowa State on Saturday, were ranked No. 1 until they lost at Tennessee on Jan. 10.

Besides returning every contributor to last year's Big 12 champion, the Jayhawks also have one of the nation's top freshmen classes. Self acknowledged before practice opened in the preseason that blending together all that talent and all those egos would be a challenge.

He admitted Friday that Taylor was frustrated.

"He's probably said some things but because of his frustration and because of his popularity and things like that. Anybody can take anything that one of our players say and spin it," Self said. "So I'm not remotely concerned about that. If any of our players are thinking about (transferring), then trust me, I will help them find a place when the season's over."

Asked if Taylor had a problem with making inappropriate Internet posts, Self again became annoyed.

"It won't be a problem from this point ever," he said. "Yeah, I've talked to him. You will never ask me another question about that."

Asked if he had taken away Taylor's Internet privileges, Self repeated, "You will never ask me another question about that."

Aldrich, the 6-11 junior center, said Kansas players have not been barred from posting on the Internet.

"I wouldn't say barred. I would just say it's just really looked upon," Aldrich said. "We're really getting kind of under a microscope from all coaches and from the guys on the team."