The Kansas Jayhawks’ basketball team has garnered considerable attention as a strong contender for the upcoming college basketball season. The return of All-American centre Hunter Dickinson and the addition of talented transfers AJ Storr, Rylan Griffen, and Zeke Mayo have positioned the team for a strong comeback. Head Coach Bill Self has efficiently filled gaps left by the departures of Kevin McCullar and Johnny Furphy, solidifying the Jayhawks as a formidable force.
Despite being widely regarded as the best team in the country for the 2024-25 season, On3.com writer James Fletcher III has cast doubt on this assessment. In his latest rankings, he has placed the Jayhawks at No. 3, behind Alabama and Houston, respectively. This unexpected development has sparked curiosity and discussion among basketball enthusiasts.
Fletcher’s decision to place Kansas at No. 3 follows a series of successive rankings where the team held steady at the top two spots from late May to June. Several factors were cited as possible influences, including the season-ending injury of Elmarko Jackson and Johnny Furphy’s choice to remain in the NBA Draft. In contrast, Alabama claimed the top spot following significant additions in the transfer portal and the return of key players from last year’s successful Final Four team.
It is important to note that being ranked No. 1 does not guarantee success in the pursuit of a national championship, as evidenced by the Jayhawks’ disappointing season after being ranked at the top in preseason rankings. This has led to speculation that being positioned around the second or third spot may be more advantageous for the team.
Nevertheless, despite not securing the top spot in Fletcher’s rankings, it is recognised that the Jayhawks still have the opportunity to add another player from the transfer portal. With the option to utilise the 13th scholarship or to maintain the last spot vacant in compliance with the program’s self-imposed scholarship reduction for the NCAA infractions case, strategic decisions regarding the team’s roster are still to be made.
In conclusion, the Kansas Jayhawks’ fall to No. 3 in the early college basketball rankings has raised questions about their potential performance in the upcoming season. As fans eagerly anticipate the start of the new season, the team’s ranking is sure to be a topic of ongoing conversation and speculation in the world of college basketball.