Kansas basketball: 5 most painful NCAA Tournament losses in Bill Self era

5. 2016, Elite Eight, Villanova (2 seed)

This game officially embarked on Villanova’s “owning” of Kansas. Jay Wright’s two teams that won a national title did not do so before eliminating Bill Self’s squad from March Madness. (And apparently, Kansas must defeat Villanova for them to win a national title now.)

2015-16 Kansas was a powerful team. It was Perry Ellis’ senior season, and there was never a player that could not shoot on the court. They shot an otherworldly 41.8% from three during the season. Brannen Greene and Devonte Graham were the sharpshooters, and they had other contributors like Wayne Selden and Frank Mason III.

The Jayhawks were winning with nine minutes to play but never recaptured the lead afterward. They turned the ball over 16 times, including in some untimely moments, such as the final play of the game. They could have at least tried to tie it with a three but ultimately gave it back to Villanova.

It was good enough of a team to win a national championship. Unfortunately for KU, Villanova was slightly better. Although the outcome of the game stung, we would not have been able to witness one of the greatest shots in basketball history if it had turned out differently. Not the most painful loss on this list.