Bill Self’s Kansas teams have usually been built around trust - a tight group, a short bench, and a coach who knows exactly which players he wants on the floor when the pressure rises.
That formula has delivered plenty of success. Self owns two national titles, 17 Big 12 regular-season championships, and four Final Four appearances, and his standing at Kansas is beyond dispute. But the same approach that has made him so effective has also created frustration, especially when the roster has included transfers and newcomers who looked ready-made elsewhere but never really caught on in Lawrence.
That tension has followed Kansas for years, and it showed again during the 2025-26 season. Self never fully settled on a sixth man, leaned hard on his starters, and by the time the NCAA Tournament rolled around, that core looked worn down and short on fuel.
This year, though, the setup is different. The 2026-27 Jayhawks may be the deepest roster Self has had at Kansas, and that changes the conversation.
The offseason additions of Tre White and Melvin Council Jr. gave the Jayhawks unexpected help, and now the roster appears to be two-deep at every spot. There’s a mix of returners, veteran experience, and freshman talent that gives Kansas a much fuller deck than Self has had in some recent seasons.
That depth matters because Self can’t afford to treat this group like a seven- or eight-man team if he wants the ceiling to match the talent. He has a habit of trimming the rotation quickly when a player struggles early, but this roster needs more patience than that. The staff has to find a way to involve nine or 10 players, even once conference play ramps up.
The bench options are there. KU is projected to have Taylen Kinney, Dennis Parker Jr., Kohl Rosario, and one of Christian Reeves or Paul Mbiya in the frontcourt coming off the second unit. And that’s before even getting into the strength of the starting five.
So the question for Kansas isn’t whether Self understands how to win. He does.
It’s whether he’ll be willing to loosen his grip just enough to let this deeper roster breathe. Self has said before that teams have to adapt in this era of college basketball, and expanding the rotation to keep his key players fresher late in the season looks like one of the biggest adaptations he has to make.
If he does that, Kansas has the kind of balance that could push it toward its national championship potential in what could be Self’s final season in charge.
In Other News...
Devin Neals NFL Fight Just Took Another Turn
Devin Neals pro path has already taken him through a few stops, and now the former Kansas running back is trying to settle in with another team. The 2025 sixth-round pick was signed to the Washington Commanders practice squad after being released by the Minnesota Vikings, giving him another chance to stay attached to an NFL roster after earlier time with the New Orleans Saints and Minnesota.
For Jayhawks fans, Neals journey is still very much one to follow because his next opportunity is coming while he has yet to play this season due to injuries. There was also another familiar Kansas name on the move, with former wide receiver Luke Grimm joining the Los Angeles Chargers practice squad after being waived with an injury settlement, a reminder that several ex-Jayhawks are still working to find traction in the league. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas Fans Still Can't Escape One Rivalry Frustration
Kansas fans have had plenty to circle on the calendar lately, from Kansas Athletics unveiling details for the 42nd Late Night in the Phog to the mens basketball team landing at No. 8 in Ken Pomeroys preseason rankings. There is also reason for optimism on the womens side, with three Big 12 games set for national television this season, a reminder that the Jayhawks winter sports picture carries real intrigue.
Still, one football frustration keeps hanging around for a fan base that wants a clean break from old baggage. Lance Leipolds approach to the Sunflower Showdown against Kansas State has drawn criticism because Kansas has come close in recent meetings without finally putting an end to the long losing streak, and until that changes, the rivalry will keep shaping how supporters judge the programs progress. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas Faces One Sunflower Showdown Problem Fans Know Too Well
The 2026 Sunflower Showdown is already shaping up as another tense chapter in a rivalry Kansas fans know too well. Kansas State brings a 17-game winning streak in the series dating back to 2009, and this years matchup has the feel of a closely matched battle on paper, with the two teams posting similar statistical rankings across the board.
A big reason the Wildcats keep looking dangerous is quarterback Avery Johnson, who leads Kansas State in both passing and rushing yards. The game also points straight at one of the more intriguing strength-on-strength clashes in the rivalry, with Kansas States rushing offense set to test Kansas run defense in a matchup that could help decide whether the Jayhawks can finally shift the balance. [Read more 🡒]