The Kansas Jayhawks are set to tip off their 2026-27 campaign with their annual Late Night In The Phog on October 16, a date that is rapidly approaching, meaning Kansas basketball is almost here. And with that comes everyone beginning to lay out their projections and analysis for the upcoming season.
For Bill Self’s 24th year at the helm that means a new-look team comprising four transfers in Leroy Blyden Jr. Dennis Parker Jr. Keanu Dawes and Christian Reeves, while also making space for a freshman class of the nation’s No. 1 player Tyran Stokes, the No. 20 player and No. 2 point guard Taylen Kinney, along with wing Trent Perry, power forward Davion Adkins, shooting guard Luke Barnett and depth pieces in Atticus Richmond and Grant Mordini.
Overall, this is a team keeping just two players from last season in sophomore Kohl Rosario and junior Paul Mbiya. It’s worth noting Mbiya has truly had just one year under Self, but the recently passed age-based eligibility ruling stripped Mbiya of a year.
This outlook should hopefully paint a picture of an inexperienced and transfer-laden team, but a team with tons of potential if things go to plan.
Legendary basketball figure Dick Vitale published an ESPN piece combing over this season’s biggest storylines, where the Jayhawks were mentioned multiple times.
Vitale opens up his storyline of Kansas with the heading “Another Deep Kansas Run?”
“In comes Tyran Stokes.
As the No. 1 recruit in the country and an early projected No. 1 pick in the 2027 NBA draft, Stokes gives coach Bill Self one of the most tantalizing young stars in America. He's described as a matchup nightmare with strength, playmaking ability and elite passing skills.
Could this be Self's latest opportunity to take Kansas back to the Final Four? We'll see.
And when Kansas and Missouri meet in Kansas City on Dec. 6, you can bet everybody will be watching Self.
One more title run? One more banner? We may be witnessing the final chapter of an all-time coaching legend.”
As per usual, Stokes has been thrown around as the centerpiece to everything good KU will do this season. Self called Stokes an “all-around, do a little bit of everything” player during the offseason, so expect to see the Washington high school state champ take the ball up the court alongside Blyden and Kinney, while also showcasing his elite playmaking and strong scoring facets.
Vitale also threw two Kansas games in his “must-see early-season matchups,” involving when the Jayhawks take on Kentucky in the State Farm Champions Classic, and their Border Showdown against Missouri.
KU vs the Wildcats pits the two top contenders for Stokes against one another as UK head coach Mark Pope is trying to stabilize himself with pressure slowly building towards the Kentucky job.
Meanwhile when the Jayhawks take on the Tigers, not only is it the last time the two will square off until an agreement is made, but it will also see former KU power forward Bryson Tiller square off against his former squad.
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