18. Kansas (16-7)
Much like last season, this year’s Kansas squad has sensational talent, but they seem to be a step or two behind the teams at the top of the Big 12 standings. With offseason additions, there was optimism that the Jayhawks would surpass last year’s 5th place finish in the league, though recent mixed results have us wondering if that’s possible, even with an All-American center leading the charge.
After recent losses against top teams in the league, Monday was a great step forward, as Kansas handled Iowa State 69-52. Zeke Mayo continued proving his value with 17 points and 8 rebounds while Hunter Dickinson added 14 points and 9 rebounds in the win. Unfortunately, their in-state rivals dulled their momentum, as the Jayhawks would lose 81-73 at Kansas State over the weekend. Dickinson had 21 points and 9 rebounds but it wasn’t a banner day for Kansas’s defense.
This team is suddenly just 7-5 in league play and has taken several losses that could have been avoided. Beyond Dickinson and Mayo, there’s some untapped potential in this rotation, though Bill Self can’t appreciate that these players aren’t exactly living up to their preseason billing. There’s still time for a surge from these Jayhawks, especially with winnable games against Colorado and Utah next week, but we’re not exactly seeing this team as a national contender right now.