Kansas basketball is sitting on the edge of college hoops’ top spending tier, according to CBS Sports’ latest NIL roster spending report.
CBS Sports writers Matt Norlander and Isaac Trotter estimated the average NIL cost of building a 2026 college basketball roster across 79 Power Five programs and Gonzaga at $13.5 million. In that same report, the Big 12 checked in at $12.7 million, which placed the league fourth in average spending behind the SEC ($17.3M), the Big East ($13.6M), and the Big Ten ($12.7M).
Kansas landed in Tier 2, the group of teams spending just under $20 million, alongside Arkansas, Indiana, and UConn. But the Jayhawks are barely below the cutoff. The report said KU could move into Tier 1 if Trey Kaufman-Renn, Tre White, and Melvin Council Jr. are eligible for the full season.
“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 number fits the shape of this roster. Kansas does not appear to be loaded with future NBA picks beyond Stokes, and the transfers the Jayhawks added were not ranked inside the top 50 in 247Sports’ 2026 transfer player rankings. Still, the group has a chance to be one of the deepest teams in college basketball.
And in this new era, depth costs real money. Kansas is paying up to chase wins, which is exactly what this roster is built to do.
In Other News...
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For Texas Tech, the result was more than just another conference-style statement. It helped strengthen a rsum that is starting to look the part of a team with real College Football Playoff ambition, especially with other contenders around the country showing cracks. Arizona, meanwhile, was left to absorb a painful reminder of how quickly the rankings can turn when a high-profile matchup slips away, and the Wildcats now have to regroup while the Red Raiders keep building momentum. [Read more 🡒]
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Arizona also left Lubbock with a concern beyond the loss, as wide receiver R.J. Mosley suffered a lower-body injury and stayed behind for further evaluation. For Texas Tech, though, the bigger takeaway was the message it sent in the Big 12 race: this is a team that can win in a physical game, protect its place near the top, and keep the championship conversation squarely in view. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Tech Just Created A Quarterback Debate Fans Didnt Expect
Joey McGuire made a notable change under center against No. 22 Arizona, handing the start to Thomas Castellanos in a game that carried real weight for Texas Techs Big 12 push. The move paid off in a 34-26 victory that showed up in more than just the final score, with Castellanos accounting for 261 total yards and three touchdowns while avoiding turnovers as the Red Raiders improved to 7-1 overall and 4-1 in conference play.
What makes the decision linger is how Texas Tech won around him, too. The Red Raiders controlled the line of scrimmage and got strong play from their linebackers, which gave the offense room to breathe and made the quarterback spot feel even more interesting going forward. After a win like this, McGuire has given the fan base something it did not expect to be discussing this late in the season. [Read more 🡒]