Real test for Kansas women’s basketball begins with Big 12 play

The Kansas Jayhawks are set to begin conference play this Saturday as they host No. 23 Oklahoma.

The Jayhawks haven’t had much luck in conference openers as they have just one conference opening win under current head coach Brandon Schneider. That win came in a COVID-shortened season last year on Dec. 10, 2020, at home against Oklahoma.

Prior to that, the Jayhawks’ last conference opening win was Jan. 2, 2013, at home against Kansas State.

The Jayhawks currently hold what looks like a strong record on paper (9-1), but their nonconference schedule have been less than impressive.

KU faced just one ranked opponent so far this season and that was against No. 7 Tennessee, whom they lost to 68-58. And of their 10 nonconference games, only two of them were Power 5 teams (Tennessee and Vanderbilt).

Facing ranked opponents won’t be a problem in the Big 12 as there are currently four teams ranked in the Top 25: Texas (9), Iowa State (12), Baylor (14), and Oklahoma (23).

We’ve seen this story before in recent years where the Jayhawks come into conference play with only a loss or two, and then get trounced by their Big 12 counterparts.

Under Schneider, KU owns an embarrassing Big 12 record of 14-94. They’ve also finished last in the Big 12 all but once during his previous six years.

Their lack of ability to compete in conference is the main reason why the Jayhawks have yet to reach the NCAA Tournament or any postseason tournament (not including the Big 12) under Schneider’s watch.

That’s why it is critical the Jayhawks get off to a good start this year. They don’t want to repeat the same pattern they have the majority of the last six years where they dig themselves a hole they can’t get out of.

If they can’t reverse the trend this year, it may very well be Schneider’s last as head coach.