Kansas Jayhawks Q&A: Who backs up Flory Bidunga? And is KU actually underrated?
Kansas coach Bill Self didn’t hold back on praise regarding guards Elmarko Jackson and Jamari McDowell on Monday.
Both players redshirted last season, but Self came away impressed with their leadership.
“They were probably the two best leaders we had last year,” Self said. “They did it in a way they didn’t even (need to) play. ... I’m talking about not just on the court. I’m talking about in the dormitory, our culture, the way that we try to live it.”
Self also noted both players are “much improved,” adding that McDowell “has made huge improvements.”
“I think that those two probably have the best leadership qualities of all the returning guys,” Self affirmed.
If you’re a Jayhawks fan, those are promising words for the upcoming season, as KU has only four returnees. But it’s perhaps a little alarming that the two players who didn’t play were the best leaders on last season’s team.
Regardless, KU will need at least one of the two to take a step forward in order to hit its ceiling this year.
With that, it’s time for another Kansas mailbag. Thanks, as always, for the questions.
Is the basketball roster as devoid of talent as the national media is making them out to be? Example, Rothstein not even having them as top 25 even with Peterson and Bidunga. @L3Buck
I disagree with Jon Rothstein’s assessment. This Jayhawks team is undoubtedly a top-25 team, if not top-15. I don’t believe they’re a top-5 team at the moment for a couple of reasons.
First, the shooting is a little worrying to me. KU only has one player (Jayden Dawson) who shot above 35% on 3-pointers last season, and as we’ve seen the previous two years, that can make for a struggling offense.
The roster is filled with potential for quality shooting, but to believe in it, I need to see it firsthand.
Second, there’s no true wing or backup big on the roster. The closest thing to a small forward is Tre White, who will likely end up being KU’s starting power forward.
The good news is that Self is trying to add a backup wing and another guard, as he mentioned on Monday.
I believe KU needs another wing, but right now, the team might need to play two combo guards alongside Darryn Peterson. That could work, as the roster is certainly more athletic than it was last season and should play at a faster pace.
On top of that, between Darryn Peterson and Bryson Tiller — plus potentially others — the roster already has more future NBA players on it than last season’s roster, which I think is a big deal.
The lack of talent was evident in the previous season, alongside the fact that the pieces never really fit. Right now, this looks like a top-15 team that could improve with some additions and internal development.
When is the football stadium opening? @huskyjayhawk
The plan is for the football stadium to open when KU plays Fresno State on August 23.
According to Kansas athletic director Travis Goff, construction for phase one will be ongoing, leading up to the game.
Who is going to spell Flory at the 5? What profiles are the staff targeting for recruiting targets at this point? @PitcherBil74838
I don’t believe the person who will back up Flory Bidunga is currently on the roster. The Jayhawks have recently been linked to big man Brice Dessert from France.
He played for Sig Strasbourg last season in the LNB Elite league in France. He averaged nine points and 3.1 rebounds in 17.8 minutes per game.
Either way, KU needs another big.
Does KU/Mizzou football matter as a rivalry if, like this year, it ends up being mostly just bragging rights with little stake to how either team’s postseason hopes play out? @ben_h_hooke
Come on, now.
If the Jayhawks beat Missouri this upcoming season, it’ll be an even bigger deal than beating K-State.
Missouri will likely be ranked in the preseason and will also be ranked when KU faces them.
If the Jayhawks get a win over the Tigers, it will not only be great for bragging rights, but also a potential quality win that will matter for KU’s postseason dreams. It’s a possible indication of how the Kansas season will go.
I definitely think it still matters.
This story was originally published June 6, 2025 at 11:45 AM with the headline "Kansas Jayhawks Q&A: Who backs up Flory Bidunga? And is KU actually underrated?."
