Self has implemented a strong high-low motion offense using size as an advantage in the paint, and a pressing man to man defense on all his teams from his early coaching days at the University of Tulsa through the present. He has also shown great adaptability on the court and has implemented sometimes drastic adjustments as needed to his defensive schemes with various degrees of success. Despite Self's consistency, many reporters have questioned his abilities in the NCAA Tournament because of his 3–7 record in the elite eight. Self has taken Kansas to eight Elite 8 appearances in his 18 seasons at KU, which is the most visits to that round of the tournament in that time frame.