Bill Self will go down as one of college basketball’s most consistent coaches that college basketball has ever seen.
It’s a reason why even in Kansas’ “down seasons,” the Jayhawks are still able to reel in some of the nation’s top talents. Like Darryn Peterson and Tyran Stokes, back-to-back No. 1 recruits, despite not making it past the round of 32 since winning the national title in the 2021-22 season.
However, of all the impressive things Self has done during his time with KU, perhaps the most startling is his phenomenal record on Big Mondays inside Allen Fieldhouse.
Mondays are different around here... pic.twitter.com/EWuKAT7KS0
— Kansas Men’s Basketball (@KUHoops) September 14, 2026
While every season will provide the occasional potential Big Monday slip-up, it can not get harder than this
Let’s first look at the Houston Cougars.
As per usual, Houston will be tipped as a squad that can genuinely compete for a national title under Kelvin Sampson. For nine straight seasons, the Houston Cougars have lost fewer than 10 games. Considering this, it has also included three consecutive seasons in the Big 12.
Each of last season’s top-four scorers is gone, which is never a great stat to have, but to backfill that is two top 60 freshman in center Arafan Diane and combo guard Ikenna Alozie. Sampson will also be adding two top 100 transfers: guard Dedan Thomas Jr. and power forward Delrecco Gillespie, along with Chendall Weaver and Corey Hadnot.
With the Jayhawks sitting at 15-17 under Self away from home, there is every chance Houston takes that to 15-18. Sampson is 80-5 over his last 85 games inside the Fertitta Center. And while this is literally a complete refresh of both sides, it is worth mentioning that last season, the Jayhawks finished 5-6 in true road games. In Kansas’ two most recent trips to the Fertitta Center, KU is 0-2, with a 76-46 loss in the 2023-24 season and a 65-59 loss the year after.
Iowa State always poses an interesting task for the Jayhawks.
Let's not forget the Cyclones both started and ended Kansas’ 8-game winning streak last season.
Head coach T.J. Otzelberger has tallied a stellar 124-53 record with Iowa State, including AP highs at No. 2, five straight NCAA Tournament appearances, and a 2023-24 Big 12 tournament title.
Admittedly, Otzelberger hasn’t made the big jump in the NCAA Tournament, but this isn’t an NCAA Tournament game.
Since joining in the 2021-22 season, Iowa State hasn’t won inside Allen Fieldhouse, going 0-4, including a 74-56 loss last season, at a point where KU was 11-5 and low on confidence, meanwhile the Cyclones were No. 2 in the nation.
Predicting Kansas’ record in this season’s Big Monday’s slot
Yes, a 1-1 record is conservative, but to be honest, it will take a massive misstep for an ever-consistent Houston team to fall to Kansas at home in what is bound to be two ranked teams squaring off.
Iowa State, on the other hand, feels a lot more assured; no matter Kansas’ form, they don’t lose at home to the Cyclones, and until it changes, there is no reason not to back the Jayhawks.
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