Kansas basketball is spending like a heavyweight.
CBS Sports’ latest NIL roster spending report from writers Matt Norlander and Isaac Trotter puts the average cost of building a college basketball roster in 2026 at $13.5 million across 79 Power Five programs plus Gonzaga. The Big 12 checked in a touch below that at $12.7 million, which ranked fourth among the major conferences behind the SEC at $17.3 million, the Big East at $13.6 million, and the Big Ten at $12.7 million.
Kansas landed in Tier 2 of the report, the group reserved for teams spending just under $20 million. The Jayhawks were listed there with Arkansas, Indiana, and UConn.
The report also makes clear that KU is close to breaking into Tier 1. If Trey Kaufman-Renn, Tre White, and Melvin Council Jr. are eligible for the full season, CBS Sports suggests Kansas could reach the $20 million mark later in the year.
“If Kansas is able to roster Trey Kaufman-Renn AND the Jayhawks get Tre White and Melvin Council Jr. eligible for the entire season, our information suggests KU would hit $20 million later this season, but as of this story's publication, the Jayhawks are an eyelash away and literally as close to Tier 1 as possible. (Kansas also boasts the most expensive freshman in college basketball, No. 1 prospect Tyran Stokes).”
That price tag fits the shape of this Kansas roster. Outside of Stokes, the Jayhawks don’t appear to have a lot of future NBA talent on the roster, and none of the transfers KU added were ranked inside the top 50 in 247Sports’ 2026 transfer player rankings.
What Kansas does have is depth, and plenty of it. The Jayhawks could end up being one of the deepest teams in college basketball this season, and that kind of depth doesn’t come cheap.
The message from the report is simple: Kansas is spending big, and it expects to win big.
In Other News...
Missouri Opens Texas Week With One Early Advantage
Missouris first SEC availability report for its matchup with Texas brought a bit of clarity to the start of a big week, and the Tigers came out of it in decent shape. The league-required update listed no new injuries for Missouri beyond the players already ruled out, which at least gives the Tigers a clean initial read as they begin preparing for one of the conferences marquee games.
Texas, meanwhile, had a longer list to sort through, with several starters and key contributors showing up as questionable or out, including wide receivers Cam Coleman and Ryan Wingo, running back Hollywood Smothers and defensive end Colin Simmons. The reports will be updated daily as kickoff gets closer, so Missouris early edge is only a snapshot, but it is the kind of snapshot a team would rather see on its side heading into a week like this. [Read more 🡒]
Mizzous Shot At A Statement Win May Depend On Texas Saturday
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Among the names to watch are Colin Simmons, Ryan Wingo, Cam Coleman, Kade Phillips and Graceson Littleton, all listed as questionable. Texas is already without running back Hollywood Smothers and tight end Nick Townsend, while Trevor Goosby is out for the season, leaving the Longhorns with some real uncertainty on both sides of the ball as Missouri looks to capitalize on the opening. [Read more 🡒]
Ahmad Hardy Just Became Mizzous Biggest Question Against Texas
Ahmad Hardy finally got back on the field in Missouris win over Arkansas, and even in a limited return, the Tigers had to like simply having their returning All-American running back available again. Hardy played five snaps and carried twice for five yards, a modest first step after missing time, but it was enough to signal that Missouri can begin folding him back into the offense as the stakes rise late in the season.
Eliah Drinkwitz has already said Hardys workload should grow against Texas, which adds another layer to a matchup that already has plenty riding on it. Missouri has leaned on Jamal Roberts to lead the SEC in rushing yards, but the Tigers are now trying to balance that production with Hardys return while staring down a Texas defense that will make every carry count. [Read more 🡒]