The Kansas Jayhawks’ non-conference schedule is officially in the books. Standing at 10–3 and ranked 17th in the AP Poll, Bill Self hasn’t had a team with this many losses heading into Big 12 play since the 2013–14 season, when KU was 9–4 and ranked 16th at this point.
Despite the additional hiccups in the loss column, Kansas is playing at a high level, one that could be raised even higher if certain things go the Jayhawks’ way. There is a ton of maturity, positivity, and resilience on this team, giving them a real chance to do something special this season if everyone is clicking at the right time.
So… what are some of the top storylines that have defined (and continue to define) Kansas this season?
TOP STORYLINES
1. What’s going on with Darryn Peterson?
Darryn Peterson’s lone college season has been a whirlwind to this point and is easily one of the biggest storylines not just in Lawrence, but across college basketball this season. He has appeared in four games and has looked as good as advertised, though it’s visibly obvious he hasn’t been fully healthy. If he returns, it would elevate the Jayhawks to legitimate national title contenders. If not, KU has still shown it can do real damage against the rest of the field.
Regardless, fans have begun to grow restless with the situation and are desperate for answers sooner rather than later. This storyline will continue to dominate conversations until a new status update is announced, as the NBA’s projected top pick remains sidelined with the second half of the regular season rapidly approaching.
2. Melvin Council Jr. is a Dawg
After an elite 36-point performance on the road to lead the Jayhawks past the NC State Wolfpack, senior transfer Melvin Council Jr. cemented his name in Kansas basketball history. He erupted for nine three-pointers, by far the most he has ever made in a single game. With Darryn Peterson missing the majority of the non-conference slate, Council Jr. has been KU’s saving grace in the backcourt, and without him, this team would not be where it is today.
As the second half of the season looms, the newest fan favorite from Rochester, New York, must continue to take initiative throughout the tough Big 12 schedule as Kansas prepares for the postseason.
3. Tre White could be one of the best transfer-portal pickups in Kansas history
The senior, who is finally repping the crimson and blue after originally committing to the Jayhawks back in 2019, is operating at the highest level of his career. White has led Kansas in scoring in four of the team’s 13 games so far this season. He is also top three on the team in rebounds and assists, and leads the rotation in three-point percentage (43.2%). If he can maintain the leadership role he has provided for this squad without a dip in effectiveness, he has an opportunity to go down as one of the best transfer-portal pickups in KU basketball history.
4. Who will step up in conference play?
The starting rotation appears to be fairly set whenever Darryn Peterson is available. However, when he's been out, other players have had opportunities to step into larger roles. After experimenting at times with Kohl Rosario and Elmarko Jackson in the starting lineup, Bill Self has seemingly settled on Jamari McDowell as the fifth starter in Peterson’s absence.
McDowell has been a much bigger contributor than expected and has found a nice groove from beyond the three-point line to start the season. His emerging shot, paired with his stellar defense, reflects the work he has put in since arriving in 2023. While McDowell has carved out a solid role on this squad, that doesn’t mean another contributor can’t still emerge. If Peterson remains sidelined, several players have the potential to break out, the question is whether one of them will seize the opportunity.
5. A consistent frontcourt would carry this team a long way
Sophomore Flory Bidunga has shown the skill and potential to become one of the best big men in the country. Additionally, redshirt freshman Bryson Tiller has displayed qualities of a future NBA player. The main issue with the two down low has been consistency. It could be worse, but it could also be better given how talented both players are.
Scoring and rebounding are two of the most important aspects of the game, and this team needs to be able to rely on Bidunga and Tiller to provide a significant portion of both each night. Defensively, they have been one of the best frontcourts in the country and project to remain that way throughout the season. Consistency is key, and this team would be extremely difficult to stop if it receives steady frontcourt production night in and night out.
6. This team has much better depth than in years past
Many recent Kansas teams have desperately lacked one thing above all else — depth. Fortunately, this year’s squad does not fall into that category. Beyond the starting lineup, several players have shown a willingness to compete for larger roles while also embracing the roles the team needs them to play.
Redshirt sophomore Elmarko Jackson has displayed flashes of strong ability this season. Freshman guard Kohl Rosario has also proven he can contribute meaningful minutes and has a real chance to break out if things start clicking. Senior transfer Jayden Dawson has seen limited action due to early-season injuries, but when healthy, he has shown leadership in his minutes. He could emerge as a spark off the bench if he continues to improve, and his shooting ability could be a major boost if he becomes consistently reliable.
Other players have also displayed potential and helped the team when needed (Calderon, Mbiya, Ngala), though they likely won’t see an increase in minutes barring any new developments.
7. Assistant coach Joe Dooley suspended after DUI arrest
Two nights before KU’s matchup with Davidson, on December 20, assistant coach Joe Dooley was arrested by the Lawrence Police Department. Now in his second stint with the program, Dooley faced charges including suspicion of driving under the influence, failure to stop at an accident, and transporting an open container. He was released on bond early the next morning, but Bill Self immediately suspended him from all team operations for three weeks. In the meantime, KU will play at UCF (1/3), host TCU (1/6), and travel to West Virginia (1/10) before Dooley is set to be reinstated.
ESPN analyst and “bracketologist” Joe Lunardi currently projects the Jayhawks as a 3-seed in the NCAA Tournament, a significant improvement from the 5-seed he had them at to start the season.
As conference play begins, can Bill Self guide Kansas to its best NCAA Tournament seed since 2022–23?
Make sure to bookmark Through the Phog and follow us on X and Facebook with the username @Throughthephog