The Kansas Jayhawks have vaulted to No. 16 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, a reflection of a season that has turned early‑season promise into concrete achievement.
A Historic Regular‑Season Campaign
The Jayhawks captured the Big 12 Conference regular‑season title with a series win over BYU, delivering the program’s first conference championship since 1949. Coach Dan Fitzgerald and his staff have been credited with revitalizing the squad and restoring its competitive edge.
Kansas opens the Big 12 tournament on Thursday, facing a yet‑to‑be‑determined opponent that will be either Baylor, BYU or Texas Tech.
Other ranked Big 12 programs include No. 11 West Virginia, No. 21 Oklahoma State, No. 22 Arizona State and No. 23 Cincinnati, making the field especially competitive.
A deep run in the tournament could cement Kansas’s chances of hosting an NCAA regional, a prospect that has grown more tangible with each victory.