DES MOINES, Iowa — The Kansas Jayhawks will take the NCAA Tournament court Thursday in Des Moines against Howard without head coach Bill Self.

The KU Athletics Department said Assistant Coach Norm Roberts will serve as acting head coach for the game.

Self did attend closed practice Wednesday, but Roberts handled media responsibilities, allowing Self to rest. At that time Roberts said the team was “hopeful” Self would coach Thursday, but that the decision was still considered day-to-day.

Self also recorded an interview that was played at the KU Pep Rally before Thursday’s game.

“I’m feeling much better. I’ve got more energy. I’ve been with the team all week, on a limited basis in practice, but I’m there every day. Doing a lot of sitting in practice, I’ve never really done that. Getting better at that, i guess. But, still, I’m not ready to coach the game. Norm is going to handle all the stuff. The same way he handled the first four games of the season, and the Big 12 Tournament,” Self said. “I get better every day and hopefully, hope the next 48 hours, if things go well, I’ll have progressed to the point where hopefully I can be out there full time.”

Self received two stents after he arrived at the University of Kansas Health System with chest tightness last week ahead of the Big 12 Championship Tournament.

Roberts stepped in and assumed head coaching duties in Self’s absence during the Big 12 Tournament as well.

The Jayhawks face Howard at 1 p.m. Thursday.