As January winds down and football slowly hands the baton to college hoops, it’s officially that time of year-bracket season is heating up. The NCAA Tournament may still be weeks away, but the groundwork is being laid right now, and for teams like Kansas, every game from here on out carries major seeding implications.
So where do the Jayhawks stand in the eyes of the bracket-watchers? Let’s dig in.
Bracket Matrix: The Pulse of the Projections
If you're serious about March Madness, you’ve probably heard of Bracket Matrix. It's not just another opinion-it’s a compilation of nearly 100 bracket projections from across the country, offering a consensus look at where teams stand.
Right now, Kansas shows up as a No. 5 seed and the No. 18 team overall. That puts them just behind Texas Tech and sixth in the pecking order within the Big 12.
That’s a notable spot for a program that’s used to being a top-three seed most years. But given the strength of the Big 12 and the parity across college basketball this season, a 5 seed isn’t a bad place to be-especially with room to climb.
What the Experts Are Saying
Joe Lunardi, the face of bracketology for many fans, echoes the Matrix. He’s got Kansas as a 5 seed and 19th overall, nudged just behind Arkansas after the Razorbacks dominated Vanderbilt earlier this week. That’s the kind of small shift we’re going to see a lot of between now and Selection Sunday-one big win or loss can shuffle the deck quickly.
CBS Sports’ Jerry Palm is in lockstep, also placing KU as a 5 seed and 18th overall, slotting them into the West region. That’s a long way from Allen Fieldhouse, but nothing the Jayhawks haven’t handled before.
FOX Sports' Mike DeCourcy joins the chorus, projecting Kansas as a 5 seed and 18th overall as well, but this time in the Midwest region-a much more favorable landing spot for KU fans hoping to see their team play closer to home.
Across the board, the consensus is clear: Kansas is a solid 5 seed right now, with a few projections hinting at a potential bump to a 4 if things break right.
The Path Ahead: Plenty of Chances to Climb
The good news for Kansas? The opportunities to improve their résumé are right in front of them. The schedule ahead is stacked with chances to pick up quality wins: a home game against BYU, road trips to Texas Tech and Iowa State, a home-and-away series with Arizona, a showdown with Houston, and of course, the Big 12 Tournament.
That’s a gauntlet-but it’s also a golden opportunity. Win a few of those, and Kansas could easily move up a seed line or two.
Drop a couple, and the 5 line could become a 6 or worse. It’s the high-wire act of playing in the Big 12, where every night is a test.
53 Days to Selection Sunday
There’s still plenty of basketball left-53 days, to be exact, until the bracket is unveiled. But the picture is starting to come into focus, and for Kansas, the message is clear: you’re in the field, but there’s work to do.
For a program with championship pedigree, the goal isn’t just to get in-it’s to be positioned for a deep run. And while a 5 seed doesn’t scream “favorite,” it’s a solid foundation to build on. The next few weeks will tell us whether this Jayhawks team is ready to take that next step.