Kansas Is Quietly Rewriting Its Free-Throw Legacy - And It Could Be a Game-Changer Come March
Kansas basketball has always had the pedigree. From national titles to All-Americans, the Jayhawks are synonymous with college hoops excellence.
But even the bluest of blue bloods have their blind spots - and for Kansas, the free-throw line has historically been one of them. That is, until this season.
The 2025-26 Jayhawks are doing something no Kansas team has ever done: they're knocking down free throws at a record pace. Heading into mid-February, KU is shooting 76.2% from the stripe - the best mark in program history. That tops even the 2012-13 squad, which held the previous high at 73.7%, led by the smooth-shooting Ben McLemore, who hit 87% on his own.
This year’s team isn’t just flirting with history - it’s rewriting it. And while 76.2% might not lead the nation (currently 49th overall), it’s a massive leap for a program that’s often been good enough to win without elite free-throw shooting. Now, Kansas is adding that weapon to its arsenal.
What makes this development even more intriguing is how balanced the production has been. There’s no weak link in the rotation.
Everyone who steps on the floor is contributing at the line. That consistency has translated into wins - including a clutch performance Monday night against Arizona, where KU went 21-for-25 (84%) from the line.
And they did it without Darryn Peterson, who’s responsible for more than a quarter of the team’s free-throw attempts when he’s in the lineup. That’s a telling stat - and one that should raise eyebrows across the Big 12.
But here’s the catch: as good as Kansas has been when they get to the line, they’re just not getting there enough.
The Jayhawks are averaging only 19.8 free-throw attempts per game - 10th in the Big 12 and 227th nationally. That puts a cap on just how much damage their efficiency can do.
They’re converting 15.0 free throws per game, which ranks eighth in the conference and 181st in Division I. In short: when they get there, they’re lethal - but they need more volume.
This is where Kansas has room to grow. Drawing more contact, attacking the rim with greater frequency, and putting pressure on opposing defenses could unlock another level for a team that’s already among the nation’s elite. Because if KU starts getting to the line more consistently, they’re not just going to win games - they’re going to close them out with authority.
Part of what’s made this free-throw surge so effective is the improvement from the frontcourt. Big men Flory Bidunga and Bryson Tiller are both hovering just above 67% from the line - solid numbers for bigs, and trending upward.
In fact, this might be the best free-throw shooting frontcourt duo of the Bill Self era. That’s not hyperbole - it’s a reflection of how much emphasis this group has put on converting at the stripe.
And in March, when possessions tighten and every point matters, that kind of reliability can be the difference between a deep tournament run and an early exit.
So while Kansas continues to stack wins and build its resume, keep an eye on what’s happening at the free-throw line. It might not be as flashy as a fast break dunk or a logo three, but it’s becoming one of the Jayhawks’ most reliable weapons. And if they can figure out how to get there more often, the rest of the college basketball world could be in serious trouble.