Kansas basketball bracketology: Jayhawks projections for March Madness, NCAA tournament
LAWRENCE — Kansas basketball won’t be carrying a Big 12 Conference trophy into the NCAA tournament this year, but soon it’ll learn what path it’ll need to take to earn one during March Madness.
The Jayhawks (21-12) wrapped up their Big 12 tournament stay with a loss in the quarterfinals against Arizona, which would go on to lose in the final against Houston. Their regular season sported a quality non-conference slate, before inconsistent efforts during the league slate saw them drop out of contention for a Big 12 regular season crown. Considering they entered the year as the preseason No. 1 team in the nation, there’s a lot for them to prove in the days ahead as they attempt to realize that potential.
So, as Selection Sunday opens and the release of the NCAA tournament bracket nears, what are some of the latest projections saying about where Kansas will end up? Are the Jayhawks going to have one of the tougher, or easier, roads to a Sweet 16? Is it possible coach Bill Self and company would have to beat one of the No. 1 seeds in the round of 32 to advance that far?
Here are a few projections:
ESPN — No. 7 seed
This projection from Saturday night would place Kansas, a No. 7 seed, against No. 10-seed Utah State in the Jayhawks’ first game of the tournament. Win, and Kansas would go up against either No. 2-seed Alabama or No. 15-seed Bryant. Should it be a game against Alabama, it would be a reunion of sorts for Jayhawks guard Rylan Griffen, who transferred from Alabama to join Kansas during the most recent offseason.
USA TODAY — No. 7 seed
This projection from Friday morning predicts a round of 64 game against a former Big 12 program, No. 10-seed Oklahoma, which is now in the Southeastern Conference. Neither Oklahoma, nor potential round of 32 opponent No. 2-seed Tennessee, would be unfamiliar to the No. 7-seed Jayhawks. Of course, the potential remains that if KU beats Oklahoma it could face No. 15-seed Robert Morris in the next round, too.
CBS Sports — No. 6 seed
This projection from Saturday morning sees Kansas a bit better, as a No. 6 seed, and therefore would see the Jayhawks go up against a No. 11 seed in VCU. That puts KU in contention to face either No. 3-seed Maryland or No. 14-seed UNCW in the round of 32, should Self’s squad advance past the round of 64. Of the projections in this list, this might be the most favorable path to another Sweet 16 appearance for Kansas.
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas basketball bracketology: Projections for March Madness in 2025
-
Kansas basketball bracketology: Projections for Jayhawks in March Madness, NCAA tournament
Kansas basketball saw its Big 12 tournament run end in the quarterfinals. Now, looking ahead to the NCAA tournament, what do its chances look like?Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Where Louisville basketball’s 2025 NCAA Tournament resume stands for March Madness
Here’s where Louisville basketball bracketology and predictions stand on Selection Sunday, when the 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket will be revealed.Yahoo Sports - 23h -
Which seed does Kansas basketball coach Bill Self think KU will have in NCAA tournament?
Kansas basketball is awaiting the news of which seed it will have for the NCAA tournament this year. How will this path start in March Madness?Yahoo Sports - 17h -
Where Indiana basketball stands in March Madness bracket projections
Where Indiana Hoosiers basketball March Madness bracketology and predictions stand on Selection Sunday, when the 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket will be revealed.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Where Duke basketball’s NCAA Tournament resume stands as March Madness arrives
Duke basketball will be among the top seeds in March Madness. Here’s where the Blue Devils’ 2025 NCAA Tournament resume stands on Selection Sunday.Yahoo Sports - 21h -
Where UNC basketball’s NCAA Tournament resume stands as March Madness arrives
UNC basketball is set to learn its March Madness fate. Here’s where the Tar Heels’ 2025 NCAA Tournament resume stands on Selection Sunday.Yahoo Sports - 21h -
Where Iowa State basketball stands in latest March Madness bracket predictions
Latest bracketology projections for Iowa State heading into Selection Sunday, when the 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket will be revealed.Yahoo Sports - 22h -
Where Auburn basketball stands in March Madness bracket: 2025 NCAA Tournament update
Here's where Auburn basketball's March Madness bracketology and predictions stand on Selection Sunday.Yahoo Sports - 22h -
Where Alabama basketball stands in March Madness bracket predictions
Where Alabama basketball March Madness bracketology and predictions stand on Selection Sunday, when 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket will be revealed.Yahoo Sports - 23h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
San Diego State Aztecs square off against the North Carolina Tar Heels in First 4
Yahoo Sports - 30m -
Auburn basketball’s first round opponent revealed ahead of 2025 NCAA Tournament
Auburn basketball will face either Alabama State or St. Francis in March Madness to open its 2025 NCAA Tournament men’s bracket.Yahoo Sports - 9h -
Best 2025 March Madness bracket names to use in NCAA Tournament pools
Filling out your NCAA Tournament bracket is only half the fun. Here are some bracket names to help get you started.Yahoo Sports - 10h -
Katelyn Young scores 34 as Murray State powers past Belmont 83-62 to win Missouri Valley title
Katelyn Young scored 34 points to help power Murray State to its first Missouri Valley Conference tournament championship by beating Belmont 83-62 on Sunday. Young surpassed 3,000 career points ...Yahoo Sports - 11h -
Revealed: Arsenal & Liverpool want €50m winger, he’s open to transfer this summer
Arsenal and Liverpool are among the clubs keen on the potential transfer of Lyon wonderkid winger Malick Fofana this summer.Sources with a close understanding of the situation have informed ...Yahoo Sports - 3d
More in Sports
-
Source: Pulisic in talks over new AC Milan deal
United States national team star Christian Pulisic is in negotiations with AC Milan over a new contract, a source has told ESPN.ESPN - 26m -
NCAA Tournament 2025 bracket: Proven simulation predicts surprising upsets, March Madness picks, sleepers
When does the March Madness 2025 schedule start, and when are 2025 NCAA Tournament brackets due? The 2025 March Madness bracket begins on Thursday, March 20CBS Sports - 42m -
Lunardi: The one big thing the selection committee got wrong
After genuinely consistent selections in the NET era, the committee's decision to include both Texas and North Carolina has stumped our resident Bracketologist.ESPN - 48m -
Your guide to all 68 teams in the men’s NCAA tournament
The bracket is set, here's everything you need to know about the competitors for this year's national title.ESPN - 57m -
It's bracket time: Make your picks for the men's tournament
The bracket is set. Here's everything you need to know about the competitors for this year's national title.ESPN - 57m