Kansas Basketball Undervalued in Latest Top 25 Rankings
It seems the Kansas basketball program might be dealing with a bit of a post-hype curse. After being ranked No. 1 in the country in back-to-back seasons, expectations were sky-high—but the results didn’t quite live up to the billing. Those lofty rankings brought more frustration than fulfillment.
Now, it appears the pendulum may have swung too far in the opposite direction. In his early Top 25 rankings for the 2025–26 season, ESPN’s Jeff Borzello slotted Kansas all the way down at No. 18—a placement that feels surprisingly low given the talent the Jayhawks have on the way.
Despite boasting the nation’s top incoming freshman and a returning high school All-American at center, Borzello ranks Kansas as just the sixth-best team in the Big 12. The Jayhawks sit behind Houston (No. 2), Texas Tech (No. 4), BYU (No. 7), Arizona (No. 12), and Iowa State (No. 13).
“Bill Self received a huge boost for next season during Final Four weekend, when Flory Bidunga withdrew from the transfer portal and announced he was returning to the Jayhawks,” Borzello wrote. “He should form one of the best inside-outside duos in the country with Darryn Peterson, the projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA draft.”
Still, Borzello notes that Kansas has more work to do. The team has added three potential starting wings—Tre White (Illinois), Melvin Council Jr. (St. Bonaventure), and Jayden Dawson (Loyola Chicago)—and continues to pursue top transfers like Darrion Williams from Texas Tech.
To be fair, Borzello raises valid concerns, and Jayhawk fans know better than to get too wrapped up in preseason rankings. The current roster may still have a few gaps, but there’s a strong sense around Lawrence that this could be the reset the program needs.
Landing a player like Darrion Williams would go a long way. Until then, KU fans will be watching closely—and hoping this is the year Kansas reclaims its spot at the top of the Big 12.
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