Bill Self might be torn, but it looks like he's getting ready to make a decision.

A source close to the Illinois basketball coach said Saturday that Self will make a decision about the Kansas coaching job within 24 hours.

The source said Self returned to Champaign, Ill., on Friday night from a vacation in Florida, and met with Illinois athletic director Ron Guenther. The source also said Self talked to his players, and told them he would reveal his decision by the end of the weekend.

Self, 40, technically does not have a formal offer from Kansas, but he has spoken to officials there, and the job is said to be his if he wants it. The source added that while Self has not yet made a decision, he will not use the Kansas job as leverage to get a renegotiated deal at Illinois. Self will either leave for the Kansas job or stay at Illinois.

Self's decision likely will be a career decision. He has previously said he has no NBA aspirations and, whether he stays at Illinois or moves to Kansas, either school could be his final coaching destination.

Money could play a bigger role than originally thought, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Kansas is reportedly offering an annual salary that is in the $1.5 million neighborhood. Under his new five-year deal with Illinois, Self receives $900,000 a year, and would receive a $500,000 annuity if he stays through the duration of the deal.

But Guenther likely will not get into a bidding war, and reportedly does not want to pay Self more than Illinois football coach Ron Turner, who makes $1.1 million after his contract was renegotiated with the program's Big Ten title in 2001.

Self had left Wednesday for his vacation in Florida. The last time he went to Florida on a vacation -- three years ago in May -- the Illinois job opened. That's when Self left Tulsa to succeed Lon Kruger in Champaign.

Self has strong Big 12 ties from his time spent working as an assistant under Larry Brown at Kansas and tenure as a player and assistant coach at Oklahoma State. Self has always considered the Kansas job a "dream position." Yet he has been successful in the Big Ten, taking Illinois to Elite Eight, Sweet 16 and second-round appearances.

Kansas players and recruits reportedly have tabbed Self as their No. 1 choice to replace Roy Williams, who resigned to accept the North Carolina job. The Jayhawks will be strong next season, probably better than Illinois. Wayne Simien, Jeff Graves and David Padgett form one of the best frontcourts in the country. Guards Keith Langford, Aaron Miles, J.R. Giddens, Michael Lee and Omar Wilkes give the Jayhawks depth that they haven't always had. Illinois has a commitment from New Jersey prep forward Charlie Villanueva, but he hasn't signed. He's a recruitable athlete and the Jayhawks could land him if he doesn't go to the NBA.

Illinois will be strong on the perimeter and wings with Dee Brown, Deron Williams, Luther Head, Roger Powell, Nick Smith and power player James Augustine. But losing Brian Cook is akin to not having Nick Collison. The difference is this: Kansas has Simien. Illinois could have Villanueva, but he's not as polished as Simien, and isn't the low-post scorer.

Andy Katz is a senior writer at ESPN.com.