Saturday’s showdown between BYU and Texas Tech at the Marriott Center gave Kansas a boost to the No. 3 seed in the Big 12 tournament. This strategic positioning allows the Jayhawks to dodge an early clash with Iowa State, setting the stage for a potential matchup with one of the league's hottest teams.
Bill Self, KU's head coach, highlighted the formidable play of TCU, saying, “I think TCU has played as well as anybody in the last month, without question.” However, the Horned Frogs must first secure a win against a lower-seeded opponent on Wednesday night to set up a Thursday face-off with Kansas. TCU's journey hasn't been without hiccups, with unexpected losses to teams like New Orleans and Utah.
Yet, TCU has found its groove, boasting an 8-1 record since February 7. Their impressive run includes victories over Iowa State and Texas Tech, positioning them at No. 35 in Bart Torvik’s rankings, ahead of Kansas at No. 37 during the same period.
A key player in TCU's resurgence is Xavier Edmonds. The 6-foot-8 forward, a junior-college transfer, has been a revelation, earning third-team All-Big 12 honors. Since January 20, Edmonds has recorded 10 double-doubles, including a standout 26-point, 10-rebound performance against Kansas State.
Micah Robinson has also stepped up, transitioning from a sixth-man role to a more prominent position, while Liutauras Lelevicius, who shone with 23 points against KU earlier in the season, has moved to the bench.
Kansas narrowly escaped with a win in their previous encounter with TCU, thanks to Darryn Peterson’s career-high 32 points and Melvin Council Jr.'s late-game heroics. The Jayhawks rallied from a 16-point deficit, demonstrating their resilience.
David Punch, Edmonds’ frontcourt partner, posed a significant challenge for KU last time with 20 points and nine rebounds. Although his recent performances have dipped, he received an all-league honorable mention.
Rounding out TCU’s lineup are point guard Brock Harding and shooting guard Jayden Pierre, with Tanner Toolson providing depth off the bench.
Kansas will confirm their opponent late Wednesday if TCU advances. Meanwhile, KU's assistant coaches are preparing scouting reports for potential matchups with Colorado, Oklahoma State, and TCU.
Bill Self noted the importance of being ready for any opponent, saying, “We’ll approach them all like they’re the next game.” The Jayhawks are familiar with Oklahoma State but haven’t faced TCU and Colorado recently.
If Kansas advances on Thursday, they’re likely to meet second-seeded Houston in the semifinals, a team they previously defeated at Allen Fieldhouse.
Self acknowledged the tournament’s difficulty, stating, “Any way you look at it in this league, I think both sides are going to be considered to be tough sides.”
A strong fan presence could be a game-changer for Kansas. Melvin Council Jr. encouraged fans to support the team at the T-Mobile Center, emphasizing the energy they bring.
“We play for our fans, so why not everybody come support. They give us energy,” he said, highlighting the importance of the Jayhawk faithful.