With the 2026 NCAA Tournament Regional Finals taking place this weekend, it’s time for Jayhawk fans to get excited about next year.
Back in 2024, it was announced that the 2027 Midwest Regional will be held in Kansas City for the fifth time. The T-Mobile Center has long hosted the Big 12 Tournament, and it’s about to get even busier next March in the Power & Light District.
The last time Kansas City hosted an NCAA regional was in 2017, when Oregon defeated No. 1 seed Kansas in the Elite Eight to advance to the Final Four, ending Frank Mason III’s legendary career at KU.
Heading into the 2026 offseason, Kansas will undeniably be one of the hottest topics in the national media this summer, especially until there’s more clarity surrounding head coach Bill Self’s future.
If he remains active, Self would have a great chance to reach his fifth Final Four in front of a home crowd next season. He would also have the opportunity to avenge the Oregon loss and return to the Final Four for the first time since 2022. It could be a storybook ending to a highly decorated career.
Although much can happen before then, Bill Self staying would give Kansas a strong chance to begin the 2026–27 season with the No. 1 overall recruit on the roster for a second consecutive year.
Tyran Stokes has been linked to KU for some time. He’s expected to make a college decision soon, and Bill Self announcing a farewell tour beforehand could significantly improve the Jayhawks’ chances of landing the five-star freshman.
If Self returns, he would likely take a pay cut in his final contract to ensure Kansas has the maximum NIL resources heading into next season.
If Self retires, you can be sure he’s doing his due diligence to make sure Kansas has everything it needs to remain successful and will stay involved.
Regardless of his future, Kansas appears comfortable with its standing with Stokes and is maintaining a strong relationship.
If you know Bill Self, you know he would never turn down the chance to go out on top if he’s at full health. Either way, he and his family face an extremely tough decision in the near future.
Will we see the Jayhawks back in the second weekend of the tournament next year in Kansas City—and will Bill Self be on the sideline?
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