As the Big 12 Conference tournament kicks off, Kansas basketball coach Bill Self is eyeing the NCAA tournament with a keen sense of where his Jayhawks might land. With a solid season record of 22-9 and a 12-6 mark in the Big 12, Kansas enters the conference tournament as the No. 3 seed. Coach Self envisions his squad starting the NCAA tournament as either a No. 4 or No. 5 seed, though a standout performance in Kansas City could elevate their standing.
The anticipation is palpable as the Jayhawks await their March Madness fate. Projections are already circulating, suggesting Kansas could be poised for another national title run. The key question remains: how will the Jayhawks navigate their draw?
Here’s a breakdown of the latest projections:
USA TODAY - No. 4 Seed
Kansas is pegged as the No. 4 seed in the South Region, setting up a round of 64 clash with No. 13 seed Stephen F. Austin.
A victory there would pit them against either No. 5 seed Tennessee or No. 12 seed Hofstra. Notably, the Jayhawks bested Tennessee earlier this season in Las Vegas, a win that could bolster their confidence.
ESPN - No. 4 Seed
In this scenario, Kansas takes the No. 4 seed in the Midwest Region, facing No. 13 seed North Dakota State in the opening round. Success would mean a matchup with either No. 5 seed Vanderbilt or No. 12 seed High Point. A path to the Final Four would likely require toppling the region's No. 1 seed, Michigan.
CBS Sports - No. 5 Seed
Here, Kansas is projected as a No. 5 seed in the East Region, starting against No. 12 seed Yale. A win would lead to a showdown with either No. 4 seed Texas Tech or No. 13 seed Hofstra. The Jayhawks have already tasted victory against Texas Tech this season, a potential confidence booster.
With these projections in mind, the Jayhawks’ journey through the NCAA tournament promises to be an exciting one. As the games unfold, fans will be watching closely, eager to see if Kansas can capitalize on their seeding and make a deep tournament run.