KANSAS

Where Did Kansas Basketball Land in John Fanta's Way Too Early Top 25?

The Jayhawks lost a lot of their squad to graduation and the portal, but have added two transfers and returned Flory Bidunga - all of which has Fanta slotting them in the top 15
Jackson Langendorf|
Feb 8, 2025; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self looks at his bench during the first half against the Kansas State Wildcats at Bramlage Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images
Feb 8, 2025; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self looks at his bench during the first half against the Kansas State Wildcats at Bramlage Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images | Scott Sewell-Imagn Images

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Kansas Jayhawks

Despite Kansas’ 2024-2025 campaign wrapping up nearly three full weeks ago, the NCAA season didn’t officially come to a close until Monday night, when Florida knocked off Houston to become national champions.

As college hoops junkies tend to do, all eyes have immediately turned to next season, including those of FOX’s college basketball expert John Fanta, who released his “Way Too Early Top 25” late on Monday night – a list the Jayhawks made. 

Landing at 12th, Kansas’ stellar work in the portal, a haul that currently consists of wing Tre White (from Illinois) and guard Jayden Dawson (from Loyola-Chicago), has been rewarded with a “preseason” top-25 ranking from Fanta. 

Certainly the return of freshman big man Flory Bidunga – who averaged 5.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks – played a role in Fanta’s ranking of the Jayhawks.

Nonetheless, Bill Self’s squad still ranks below three Big 12 squads in Iowa State (No. 10), Texas Tech (No. 6), and Fanta’s preseason favorite Houston, who he has slotted in the top spot. 

Fresh off a season that began as the top-ranked squad in America, and ended with one of the most underwhelming seasons in a few decades, Kansas fans know all too well that preseason rankings hold little meaning – especially when the season is nearly seven months out. 

That being said, it serves as a measuring stick of a team's expected success, and it appears the Jayhawks may be in-line for quite a bit next season as far as Fanta is concerned. 

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Jackson Langendorf
JACKSON LANGENDORF

Primarily covers Illinois football and basketball, and Kansas basketball, with an emphasis on analysis, features and recruiting. Langendorf, a third-generation University of Illinois alum, has been watching Illini basketball and football for as long as he can remember. An advertising student and journalism devotee, he has been writing for On SI since October 2024. He can be followed and reached on X @jglangendorf.

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