Kansas basketball’s 2026-27 season could swing dramatically in either direction, at least according to ESPN’s Myron Medcalf.
That’s the big picture for a program trying to stop a troubling NCAA Tournament trend. Kansas has been knocked out in the first weekend four straight years, and Bill Self is aiming to turn that around in what could be one of his final seasons in Lawrence.
Medcalf sees a ceiling that looks like the old Kansas standard: 34 wins, a Big 12 title, and a trip to the Final Four. That would mark KU’s best win total since its national championship season in 2022.
For that kind of year to happen, Tyran Stokes would have to play like a National Player of the Year candidate. But it would not be a one-man show. Medcalf said the Jayhawks would also need major production from transfers Leroy Blyden Jr., Keanu Dawes, and Christian Reeves for the roster to come together.
"Self has had to address retirement rumors for the past few years -- his answer after this upcoming campaign likely depends on five-star recruit Tyran Stokes, the projected No. 1 pick in the 2027 NBA draft," Medcalf wrote. "He's a strong, versatile, talented player who could very well carry the team to the Final Four."
At the other end of the spectrum, Medcalf’s floor is a familiar one for Kansas fans lately. In that version, the Jayhawks finish with 23 wins, land fifth in the Big 12, and fall in the first round of the NCAA Tournament again.
Kansas did finish third in the league last season despite an uneven overall year, helped by an unexpected eight-game winning streak in conference play. Outside of that run, the Jayhawks were largely ordinary, and they actually struggled more once Darryn Peterson returned to the lineup.
Medcalf also pointed out that Self won’t have the same veteran cushion this time around, which raises the pressure on a freshman-heavy group. "But Self no longer has the veterans who might have made the transition to college hoops easier for Stokes and fellow five-star recruit Taylen Kinney," Medcalf continued later in the article. "Self's future might well depend on the success of a roster that will need its freshmen to step up."
If the lower end of Medcalf’s projection plays out, Kansas would again find itself stuck in the same place it has been too often recently: good enough to matter, but not good enough in March.
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Beyond the emotions of the day itself, the documentary also examines what came after. Missouri came away missing a chance to play for the national title, while Kansas punched its ticket to a BCS bowl appearance, leaving both programs with plenty to remember and plenty to debate whenever the rivalry comes up again. [Read more 🡒]
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Kansas Has Its Week 1 QB Answer But One Big Twist Remains
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Cole Ballards role still makes this more interesting than a simple depth-chart announcement. Even after losing the starting job, he was named one of the teams captains, and Leipold has already indicated both quarterbacks are expected to play in the opener. So while Marshall will get the nod, Kansas appears set to lean on both players right away as it begins the season. [Read more 🡒]