After four consecutive first-weekend exits in the NCAA Tournament, there are questions about whether the Kansas basketball program can return to its elite ways under head coach Bill Self. The Jayhawks’ 2025-26 campaign ended on a buzzer-beating layup by St. John’s, prematurely ending their season.
Despite the recent tournament struggles, KU remains one of the most consistent programs in March. It has made 36 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, the nation’s longest active streak.
Regardless, On3’s latest bracketology projections don’t view KU very highly heading into the new campaign. The outlet projects the Jayhawks to receive a No. 6 seed in the South Region, where they would face the winner of a First Four matchup between Oklahoma and Villanova.
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Kansas’ Projections in On3 Bracketology: No. 6 Seed
This would be the second-worst seed of Self’s tenure, with only one season finishing worse than a No. 4 seed. That came two seasons ago during a historically underwhelming campaign when the Jayhawks were bounced in the first round by Arkansas.
It’s reasonable to say Kansas is no longer viewed as the immovable force it once was amid the rapidly changing landscape of college basketball. Blue-blood programs are finding it incredibly difficult to build championship-caliber rosters year in and year out with the amount of roster turnover and movement through the transfer portal.
Mar 31, 2026; Glendale, AZ, USA; Tyran Stokes (4) controls the ball against Bruce Branch III (3) during the McDonalds All American Boys Game at Desert Diamond Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
After failing to make a tournament run with one-and-done freshman Darryn Peterson, the Jayhawks are hoping to change their fortunes behind fellow No. 1 recruit Tyran Stokes. The 5-star phenom from Rainier Beach High School could be KU’s last chance to bring a third national championship back to Lawrence under Self.
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Although national outlets remain skeptical about Kansas heading into the season, the Jayhawks will have plenty of opportunities to prove them wrong. They’ll have a chance to do so in early matchups against Kentucky and UConn in the first month of the season.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/kansas as Kansas Disrespected in On3’s Way-Too-Early College Basketball Bracketology.
