Here’s a look at where Kansas Jayhawks could be seeded for 2025 NCAA Tournament
Had Kansas played to its preseason No. 1 ranking, the Jayhawks would be entering Selection Sunday as a lock for a top seed in the NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional with a first-round (and possible second-round) game to be contested in a convenient locale — Wichita.
Instead, an inconsistent KU team went 21-12 overall, a record that has the Jayhawks expecting “(the) 6 or 7 line probably,” according to coach Bill Self.
“It’s not going to be what we had hoped because I don’t know what line we are going to be on. It’s not going to be what we hoped early in the year,” Self stated in his postgame radio interview after Thursday’s 88-77 loss to Arizona in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 tournament at T-Mobile Center.
“It’ll be an equally competitive first game. We’re going to play somebody that’s had a similar type year to us, then we’re going to have to play probably somebody that’s a 1, 2 or 3 seed for sure in the second game (if KU wins the opener),” he added.
“It’s going to be a hard path but certainly it’s a path we created for ourselves and we’ve just got to go find a way to have a great 48 hours. (If) we have a great 48 hours, there’s no reason this team can’t win a couple games. Our season comes down to a two-game tournament now,” Self stated.
The Jayhawks during the Selection Sunday TV show (here’s how to watch) will most assuredly be handed the worst seed in the 22-year Self era.
KU has been a No. 1 seed 10 times, No. 2 and 3 seeds three times apiece and a No. 4 four times. KU would have been a No. 1 seed had there been a tournament in 2020.
Last time KU was worse than a 4 seed was in 1999-00 when Roy Williams’ Jayhawks were seeded No. 8. KU was a No. 6 seed in 1998-99 when the Jayhawks, as they did in 99-00, lost in the second round.
“I don’t know enough about (it) … what did they have us at, 6 today?” Self asked on Thursday night. “We certainly didn’t help ourselves tonight (losing to Arizona after beating the Wildcats in the final game of the regular season), but we also lost to a team that’s going to be probably a top 4 or 5 seed at the worst. Arizona is good and they’re talented and they’re athletic and they have depth and they throw bodies at you.
“The thing about their team from my perspective … their success in large part will be determined by how well they shoot the basketball. You start out 5-of-6 from 3, we couldn’t keep up with that.”
ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi on Saturday afternoon had the Jayhawks a No. 7 seed in the Midwest Regional facing a first-round game against No. 10 Utah State on Thursday, March 20, at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. Winner would meet either No. 2 Alabama or No. 15 Wofford in the second round for a spot in the Sweet 16 in Indy.
Lunardi’s three other No. 6 seeds were: Illinois in the West Regional, opening in Milwaukee; Louisville in the East Regional, opening in Providence, Rhode Island, and UCLA in the South Regional, starting in Wichita.
The Midwest Regional feeds into Indianapolis, the East Regional into Newark, New Jersey, the South Regional into Atlanta and the West Regional into San Francisco.
CBS Sports’ Jerry Palm on Saturday afternoon had KU a 6 seed in the East with a first-round matchup against No. 11 seed VCU on Thursday in Providence. Winner would meet either Maryland or UNC Wilmington in the second round.
Fox Sports on Saturday had KU a No. 7 seed in the Midwest playing Arkansas in the first round. Winner would meet Alabama or Omaha in Round 2. Fox did not list locations of games in its projections.
On3 on Saturday afternoon had KU a 7 seed in the East, facing a first-round game vs. VCU in Cleveland on Friday with the winner playing Michigan State or Robert Morris.
Perhaps the one positive from going 1-1 at the Big 12 tourney is the Jayhawks would be able to get extra rest rather than playing four days in a row in KC.
“I was really looking forward to getting to the championship game (of Big 12 tourney) and winning that,” senior forward KJ Adams said. “I guess we’ve got to string a lot of good practices and get ready for Selection Sunday.
“It’s March. You’ve got to find that 10% and 20% extra and try to just give it all you’ve got at that point. It (stinks) when you keep losing games like this. I think we’ll get it together and start playing our best game in March. I think we will come out with a better attitude.”
This story was originally published March 15, 2025 at 3:14 PM with the headline "Here’s a look at where Kansas Jayhawks could be seeded for 2025 NCAA Tournament."
