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Recent bracketology places Kansas in daunting tournament region ahead of Houston

The No. 8 Kansas Jayhawks have received a reality check in latest bracket projections
ByConnor Mardian|
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Feb 21, 2026; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Melvin Council Jr. (14) dribbles the ball as Cincinnati Bearcats guard Jizzle James (2) defends during the first half of the game at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Feb 21, 2026; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Melvin Council Jr. (14) dribbles the ball as Cincinnati Bearcats guard Jizzle James (2) defends during the first half of the game at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

As the college basketball season is quickly ebbing away, it now feels like there are enough samples for analysts and pundits to properly project how each of the nation’s best teams stack up against one another. 

For the No. 8 Kansas Jayhawks, their eight-game winning run feels eons away after two losses over their last three games, with both losses resulting in blowouts, unsettling the foundation that the season has built. 

Kansas’ latest seed projection

Earlier today, in CBS Sports’ latest bracketology update, the Jayhawks were selected as the No. 3 seed in the East Reigon, following their 84-68 loss to the Cincinnati Bearcats, which saw Wes Miller’s team outscore Kansas 48-34 in the final 20 minutes while also seeing a career day from sophomore center Moustapha Thiam, as the 7-foot-2 sophomore notched 28 points. 

A stacked region 

Now, by no means are things finalized as there are still four regular-season games left, and then, of course, the Big 12 Tournament, which is bound to shake things up. Rather, let the teams in this region be a reflection of the strength of the expected teams in this upcoming tournament. 

Assuming each team in the region advances, Kansas would see Duke, Illinois, Villanova, North Carolina, and Alabama make it out of the first round. 

Of course, a fully healthy and gelled together KU squad could take down any of the teams in this region — and most across the nation — but perhaps the biggest problem is that Kansas fans have yet to see said team.

It is easy to point fingers towards Darryn Peterson and his on-and-off health issues as a reason why Kansas is struggling; however, there are also valid reasons when you look at Kansas’ play away from home.

Bill Self’s squad has a 4-3 away record since conference play began, with two losses coming to UCF and West Virginia, and three of the wins coming against Kansas State, Colorado, and Oklahoma State. 

Now, you can only play what is in front of you, and it isn’t Kansas’ fault that they have so far only faced two ranked teams on the road — 64-61 W @ No. 13 Texas Tech, 74-56 L at No. 5 Iowa State — at the same time it isn’t invalid to say Kansas still hasn’t quite hit the mark through most away performances, even if they ended as wins. 

Monday will be able to provide another big benchmark for the Jayhawks as Allen Fieldhouse will play host to the No. 2 Houston Cougars on Monday night, with tipoff set for 8 p.m. CT and streaming available on ESPN.

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