What Coaches Think About this Years Kansas Team

The Kansas Jayhawks are entering the 2026-27 college basketball season with high expectations after being selected third in the Big 12 preseason coaches poll. The ranking places Kansas among the conference's top contenders as head coach Bill Self prepares his team for another challenging season.

According to Kansas Athletics, the Jayhawks received 186 points in the poll, which was voted on by Big 12 head coaches. Arizona claimed the top spot with 220 points, while Houston finished second with 214. Kansas narrowly finished ahead of Iowa State, which received 181 points, and Texas Tech, which earned 180.

The preseason ranking reflects Kansas' strong finish in conference play last season and the talent returning to Lawrence. The Jayhawks will look to build on their previous campaign while incorporating new players into a roster expected to compete for the Big 12 title.

Kansas finished the 2025-26 season with a 24-11 overall record and a 12-6 mark in Big 12 play. The Jayhawks placed third in the conference standings, matching their position in this year's preseason coaches poll. Their performance demonstrated their ability to compete against a difficult conference schedule, although the team will be looking to take another step forward this season.

The Kansas men's basketball media center provides the team's season records and historical information. Last year's 24 victories gave Kansas a solid foundation to build upon, but the program's expectations remain high under Self, who has consistently guided the Jayhawks into postseason contention.

One of the biggest reasons for optimism this season is the arrival of freshman Tyran Stokes. The highly regarded recruit was named Big 12 Preseason Freshman of the Year and earned a spot on the Preseason All-Big 12 Team. His athleticism, scoring ability and versatility could provide Kansas with another major offensive weapon.

The Jayhawks will also face stiff competition from Arizona and Houston, the two teams ranked ahead of them. Both programs have demonstrated their ability to compete for conference championships, meaning Kansas will need to be consistent throughout the season to challenge for the top spot.

The Big 12 Conference features several talented teams capable of making a run at the league championship. Kansas will need strong guard play, defensive discipline and effective contributions from its frontcourt to navigate the schedule successfully.

Ultimately, being picked third provides Kansas with a promising starting point, but the ranking will not determine how the season unfolds. The Jayhawks must translate their talent and preseason expectations into results on the court.

 Jayhawks Roundtable.