The sky is falling in Lawrence right now as the Kansas basketball team continues to slump. Bill Self's Jayhawks have only won five of their past 12 games and fell to 10-9 in conference play on Monday after they lost to Houston on the road.
Following the contest, ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi joined SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt to discuss KU's tournament outlook. Despite the Jayhawks' recent struggles, what he said may not be as bad as some people think.
"I've got them as a seven [seed] right now coming off this loss tonight at Houston, and I still think that their range is six or seven on Selection Sunday. I get the sense that you're thinking eight or nine, maybe? I just don't think the committee will drop them that far, and if you look at them side-by-side with the other teams in the eight-nine range, they're still a good step above them. But I will say this — Bill Self has never been worse than a four seed, ever, in 20 years at Kansas. So, you have to tip your hat to that while also saying, 'Something's not right in Lawrence.'"
Joe Lunardi just a few moments ago. pic.twitter.com/gKmGO1P1Mj
— Kurtis Seaboldt 🎤🇺🇦 (@KSeaboldt) March 4, 2025
Joe Lunardi offers honest thoughts about Kansas' tournament fate
Although some Kansas fans are convinced that the program is doomed, Lunardi says that the Jayhawks are still positioned better than many of their competitors. He made it sound like they will be a No. 7 seed at the very worst, and potentially a No. 6 seed if they win their regular season finale and/or a couple of games in the Big 12 Tournament.
In Lunardi’s most recent edition of bracketology, the other No. 7 seeds in the bracket are Illinois, Memphis, and Mississippi State. Kansas is the second-highest ranked seven seed behind Illinois, which closes its regular season with a home game against No. 18 Purdue. Meanwhile, the No. 6 seeds include St. Mary's, UCLA, Marquette, and Louisville.
Early-season wins have carried Self and Co.'s resume, but the Jayhawks have struggled greatly in league games. In fact, they only have one victory over a tournament team since the beginning of January, with it coming vs. Iowa State in Allen Fieldhouse.
Regardless of how the regular season finale and Big 12 Tournament plays out for the Jayhawks, their seeding likely won't change much. However, it's hard to see them making a deep run if they cannot gain momentum before Selection Sunday.