The Kansas Jayhawks are going dancing, just like every Kansas fan knew they would be, but this time, instead of being a top-four seed, the Jayhawks are coming in as a four-seed in the East Region. The East Region is absolutely stacked and even has a couple of teams the Jayahwks have already fallen to this season.
LET’S DANCE. pic.twitter.com/bbDGZwaJ7C
— Kansas Men’s Basketball (@KUHoops) March 15, 2026
From the Big 12, the Jayhawks have the UCF Knights on their side of the bracket as well as UConn and Duke. The biggest difference in these potential rematches, though, is that now star freshman Darryn Peterson is healthy and ready for a run with Kansas in the NCAA Tournament.
There is one potential matchup that many will be hoping for in the East Region, and it is not just two teams, but two speciafic player: Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer. The college basketball world was deprived of the matchup earlier in the season due to Peterson's hamstring injury.
Darryn Peterson and Duke could meet in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament
The East Region is stacked with so many amazing teams, including the Jayhawks. With so many top teams like Duke, UConn, St. John's, as well as Kansas, some great matchups are coming in the tournament. However, many fans could be hoping that the two teams remaining in the East Region in the Elite Eight will be Kansas and Duke.
Back in November, Peterson and Boozer, the two top players in the Class of 2025, were set to face off, but a hamstring injury for Peterson kept him out of the game. The Blue Devils ended up handling business fairly easily against Kansas, but now the Jayhawks could be up for some revenge.
Peterson and Boozer have been on very different paths this season. Boozer ended up being the ACC Player of the Year and is up for the Naismith Player of the Year award as well, but Peterson might not even bring in any hardware this season due to the number of games he missed.
Before anyone can think of a big freshman matchup, though, both teams will have to get through a few teams that won't be easy. Kansas could be up for a tough second-round matchup against St. John's. Duke will also have to face either Ohio State or TCU if the Blue Devils make it past Sienna.
Kansas will face Cal Baptist, a team that is making its debut in the NCAA Tournament, in the first round.