Dick Vitale is at least leaving the door open for one more Kansas march under Bill Self.
In a recent ESPN piece, the 87-year-old analyst wondered whether the Jayhawks still have another deep tournament run in them with Self at the controls. Self is heading into his 24th season in Lawrence, and there’s a growing sense that this could be his final year before retirement. If Kansas is going to get back to its elite level in 2026-27, the path starts with Tyran Stokes.
Vitale called the former Rainier Beach High School standout one of the most "tantalizing young stars in America." He also made clear why the freshman is drawing so much attention.
"As the No. 1 recruit in the country and an early projected No. 1 pick in the 2027 NBA draft, Stokes gives coach Bill Self one of the most tantalizing young stars in America," Vitale wrote in his article. "He's described as a matchup nightmare with strength, playmaking ability and elite passing skills."
Kansas had a busy offseason and lost its entire starting five to the NBA Draft, graduation, or the transfer portal. That left Self to rebuild around a new group after losing production from Darryn Peterson, Flory Bidunga, and others.
There are still real questions about the roster, especially in the frontcourt, but Stokes is one of the most gifted players in the country. How far Kansas goes may depend on who can ease the pressure around him and how quickly the supporting cast settles in.
The Jayhawks added Toledo transfer Leroy Blyden Jr., Utah transfer Keanu Dawes, and 5-star point guard Taylen Kinney in the offseason. All three are expected to matter as Kansas tries to spread the offensive load and get help on both ends of the floor.
"One more title run? One more banner?"
Vitale asked. "We may be witnessing the final chapter of an all-time coaching legend."
In Other News...
Kansas Offense Is Taking On An Identity Defenses May Hate
Andy Kotelnicki is already putting his stamp on Kansas, and the early shape of the offense suggests this is not going to be a one-speed operation. The Jayhawks are building around the personnel they have, with an emphasis on versatility, physicality and the kind of unpredictability that can make a defense chase answers instead of dictating terms.
Lance Leipold said the installation moved fast once Kotelnicki returned, with the process beginning from square one in those early meetings, and the results have hinted at how quickly it can take hold. Kansas piled up more than 600 yards in the opener, a sign the system has real upside if it keeps finding ways to stress opponents in every part of the field. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas Fans Have A New NFL Storyline Worth Watching
Five former Kansas football players made opening-week NFL 53-man rosters, giving Jayhawks fans a fresh pro-football thread to follow as the season begins. Jalon Daniels is backing up at quarterback for Tampa Bay, Austin Booker is with the Bears, Bryce Cabeldue is third on Seattles right guard depth chart, and Enrique Cruz Jr. is slotted behind others at left tackle for San Francisco.
The clearest success story in the group is Dominick Puni, whose path has led him to a prominent spot with the 49ers after arriving as part of a recent wave of Kansas alumni reaching the league. For Kansas supporters, it is a useful snapshot of where the program stands right now: multiple former Jayhawks have earned jobs, but their roles vary widely, and the opening week depth charts offer an early look at who is closest to carving out a real foothold. [Read more 🡒]
Missouri's Border War Offense Suddenly Comes With A Huge Unknown
Missouris offense is heading into the Border War with a familiar kind of uncertainty, the sort that can tilt a rivalry game before either side settles in. The Tigers should get left tackle Cayden Green back, which at least helps stabilize the front, but Kansas will still be preparing for a matchup that may look different than expected on the ground and in protection.
The bigger issue is the backfield, where Ahmad Hardy remains in question after an offseason injury, leaving Missouri with an important variable hanging over its game plan. For Kansas, that means extra time spent trying to sort through what the Tigers can and cannot lean on, even as Andy Kotelnicki continues settling back into the Jayhawks football program and shaping his offense around what this team wants to be. [Read more 🡒]