Kansas Basketball: Ranking the last 29 NCAA Tournament teams

25. 1998-99 (23-10) (11-5 Big 12)

Paul Pierce, Raef LaFrentz and Billy Thomas were gone, but the Jayhawks still had plenty of firepower returning in 1998-99 with big man Eric Chenowith and guards Ryan Robertson and Kenny Gregory. They weren’t as dominant as last year’s group, but they were still a top team in the Big 12.

There were a few early seasons losses in non-conference play, as the Jayhawks entered Big 12 play with a record of 8-3, but they still managed to have a strong conference year.

They finished third in the regular season in Big 12 play, going 3-3 in their final six meetings of the regular season. Although they finished third, the team still managed to win the Big 12 Conference Tournament, securing themselves an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Their automatic bid earned them a No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament, low considering that they won the conference tournament championship. They beat the No. 11 Evansville Purple Aces 95-74 in the first round behind an all-around attack from freshman Jeff Boschee, T.J. Pugh, Chenowith and Nick Bradford.

Boschee’s debut tournament game went without a hitch, as he posted 17 points, five assists and four rebounds in the opening round. In the second round, they faced the No. 3 Kentucky Wildcats. Earlier in the season, Kansas fell to the Wildcats, 63-45. In the rematch, Kansas lost once again 92-88 in overtime.

Scott Padgett posted 29 points and 10 rebounds, while Wayne Turner put up 19 points, seven assists and six rebounds for the Wildcats. Ryan Robertson scored 31 points for the Jayhawks, though they lost. They weren’t full of superstars, but they had enough talent and coaching to make it back to the NCAA Tournament once again.