Kansas Basketball: Ranking the last 29 NCAA Tournament teams

6. 2017-18 (31-8) (13-5 Big 12)

The Jayhawks’ most recent appearance in the NCAA Tournament was another memorable one. In their last three appearances in the tournament, they’ve held nothing less than a No. 1 seed.

The Jayhawks entered the season as the No. 4 team in the AP Poll and finished the season as the No. 4 team. Their senior backcourt of Devonte Graham and Svi Mykhailiuk were a lethal combination, alongside Udoka Azubuike in the frontcourt. Graham and Mykhailiuk both averaged over 2.0 makes from 3-point land and shot over 40 percent from behind the arc.

Graham produced 17.3 points, 7.2 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game. Mykhailiuk put up 14.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists per contest during the season.

The Jayhawks won their 55th regular season conference and 14th consecutive crown with a 12-5 record in Big 12 play. They won the conference tournament championship as well, ending a one-year drought. In total, Kansas has won 15 conference tournament titles.

Kansas entered the NCAA Tournament as a No. 1 seed to a surprise to nobody. They were not to be deterred, unlike some other top seeds, winning handily in the first round of the Penn Quakers, 76-60.

They beat the Seton Hall Pirates 83-79 in a close one in the second round. In another close one, they beat the Clemson Tigers 80-76 to make the Elite Eight. Another ACC opponent lay in wait in the Duke Blue Devils but once again, the Jayhawks prevailed, 85-81.

In the Final Four, they faced eventual national champion Villanova Wildcats. Eric Paschall went off for 24 points on four made 3-pointers to boost the Wildcats to a 95-79 victory.

Although they lost, it marked the third appearance in the Final Four under head coach Bill Self. This year could be a challenge, but the possibility remains to return once again.