Kansas Jayhawks Heating Up Behind Elite Defense and Emerging Stars
The Kansas Jayhawks are rolling. Winners of six straight, KU is starting to look like a team that could make serious noise come March. And while it might still be early to pencil them in for a deep NCAA Tournament run, there’s no denying the pieces are starting to fall into place - especially on the defensive end.
Right now, Kansas ranks No. 8 nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency (93.6), which measures how many points a team allows per 100 possessions, adjusted for the level of competition. In plain terms: Kansas is locking teams down, and doing it against quality opponents.
Bill Self: Cautiously Optimistic, But Realistic
When asked whether this squad has the makeup of his past deep-tournament teams, head coach Bill Self didn’t sugarcoat it.
“I think it’s too early to tell much,” Self said. “Do I think we have the capability to be really good by the end of February, early March?
I’d say yes. Do I know that’s positively going to happen, no.
Do we have to get better there, yes. We also need to be healthy.”
That’s the key - health. Self made it clear that if this team can stay whole, they’ve got the tools to do some damage. But as he also pointed out, that’s a line you could use for a lot of Kansas teams over the years.
Still, there’s a quiet confidence around this group. ESPN’s latest bracketology has Kansas slotted as a No. 3 seed. That’s not quite the top tier we’ve seen in some recent seasons, but it’s a strong position - and one that leaves room to climb.
Freshman Watch: Rosario’s Role Still Limited
One of the big questions from fans has been about freshman Kohl Rosario. A highly touted shooter coming in, Rosario hasn’t quite found his rhythm at the college level yet. He’s shooting just 24.5% from beyond the arc, and with Kansas tightening up its rotation as the season progresses, it’s tough to see him getting extended minutes unless foul trouble forces Self’s hand.
The talent is there, but right now, Rosario’s still figuring out how to translate it to the next level.
Bench Boost: Elmarko Jackson Could Be the Spark
If Kansas is going to make a deep run, they’ll need more than just their starting five. And one name to keep an eye on is Elmarko Jackson.
The freshman guard has shown flashes throughout the season, but he really turned heads with a 19-point performance against Kansas State. Jackson’s blend of athleticism and scoring ability makes him a potential X-factor off the bench - the kind of player who can swing a game in March.
He’s still putting all the pieces together, but don’t be surprised if he strings together multiple double-digit scoring nights down the stretch. There’s a reason he was a McDonald’s All-American.
Peterson Leading the Way - and the NBA is Watching
At the center of it all is KU’s offensive engine: Peterson. When the offense stalls - and it has at times - he’s the one who steps up and makes the tough shots. He’s an efficient scorer with a knack for clutch moments, and he’s projected to go as high as No. 2 in the NBA Draft.
But it’s not just Peterson drawing pro eyes. Tre White and Melvin Council also have NBA potential, and depending on how the season unfolds, big man Flory Bidunga and Bryson Tiller could enter the draft conversation either this year or next.
That kind of talent matters in March. Depth is important, but stars win tournament games - and Kansas has a few who can take over when it counts.
So... Are the Jayhawks Actually Good?
Short answer: Yes. Longer answer? This might be the best Kansas team since the 2022-23 squad that earned a No. 1 seed with KJ Adams at the five.
This year’s team may not end up with a top seed, but the ceiling might be even higher. The defense is elite - arguably the best Self has had in the last four seasons - and the roster is loaded with high-end talent.
If they stay healthy and continue to build on what they’ve shown over the last six games, Kansas could be a nightmare matchup in the NCAA Tournament.
There’s still work to do, and Self knows it. But if you’re asking whether this team has what it takes to make a run? The answer is a confident yes.