Kansas got a clean, comfortable win over Fordham on Monday, but the most interesting development for the Jayhawks wasn’t the 95-65 scoreline. It was Trey Kaufman-Renn stepping into the lineup for the first time and looking like he’d been around far longer than a few weeks.
The debut came with the kind of welcome you’d expect at Allen Fieldhouse. Kaufman-Renn drew a loud ovation when he checked in, then backed it up with a solid all-around line: nine points, five rebounds and two assists in 23 minutes off the bench.
The numbers were modest, but the feel was bigger than that. He looked composed, comfortable and plugged into what Kansas was trying to do.
That’s especially notable considering he’s still working his way into game shape. Head coach Bill Self said Kaufman-Renn is not ready for a full load yet and will stay with the second unit for now as he continues building his conditioning before moving into the starting five.
Still, Self pointed to one area where Kaufman-Renn is already ahead of the pack.
"He's calling out what play to run," Self stated. "We only got in a few plays that everybody knows, and he's calling out what to run without me calling it out.
So, you don't see that very often from four or five men doing that, especially ones who have been here for two weeks. He's really smart."
That kind of command stands out even more when you consider Kaufman-Renn’s background. He spent five seasons at Purdue, played for a team that reached the national title game in 2023-24, and arrives in Lawrence as one of the most experienced players in the locker room alongside Tre White.
Self’s point was simple: this isn’t a newcomer trying to survive the system. It’s a veteran already helping direct it.
Kaufman-Renn’s physical status is still a work in progress, though. Self said he had to come out of the game a couple of times and is probably still another week or two away from being ready to handle about 30 minutes in a game.
"I think it's better, but he had to come out of the game a couple of times," Self responded. "It's not obviously where it needs to be. He's probably another week or two away from being where he could play maybe 30 minutes in a game."
Even with that limitation, the basketball IQ is obvious. Kaufman-Renn was vocal on the floor, active in calling out plays and already showing the kind of leadership that can settle a team down. Add in the fact that he once averaged 20 points per game at a prestigious university, and there’s real reason for Kansas to believe he can become a major piece if he stays eligible all season.
"When he gets comfortable and we know how to play with him, I think you'll see a guy that we can really appreciate being a total team guy. He just knows how to play," Self concluded.
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Kansas is also juggling more than just the quarterback spot, with center Kasen Carpenter and backup running back Jalen Dupree among the other names dealing with injury designations. UCF has its own uncertainty under center, with starter Alonza Barnett III probable and Keyone Jenkins questionable, so both teams head into the game with more questions than answers in a matchup that could come down to which sideline settles things first. [Read more 🡒]
Bill Self Thinks Two Kansas Newcomers Have Much More To Give
After Kansas handled Fordham, Bill Self had plenty to like about the early returns from a pair of newcomers who are still settling in. Melvin Council Jr. gave the Jayhawks a steady all-around effort with 10 points, seven assists and six rebounds, while Trey Kaufman-Renn chipped in nine points, five rebounds and two assists in a performance that showed why Kansas brought him in.
Selfs bigger point was that neither player has come close to showing everything they can add yet. He praised Kaufman-Renns basketball IQ and said both newcomers have room to grow as the Jayhawks keep building chemistry, a reminder that even in a comfortable win, Kansas is still sorting out how much more production this roster can unlock. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas May Have Another Dangerous Young Big Fans Are Just Noticing
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The bigger question now is how quickly Adkins can carve out a real role on a roster with plenty of depth up front. His path to more minutes may hinge on what happens in practice and whether injuries open the door, but he already looks like part of the young core that could matter more as the season goes on. [Read more 🡒]