KANSAS

CBS Sports Places Kansas Basketball in Beatable Region

If this bracket—or something close to it—holds, the Jayhawks would be thrilled.

Mathey Gibson

Feb 3, 2024; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self reacts after a call during the first half against the Houston Cougars at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Feb 3, 2024; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self reacts after a call during the first half against the Houston Cougars at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images / Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
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Kansas basketball fans hoping for a favorable NCAA Tournament draw might be in luck—at least according to CBS Sports’ Jerry Palm.

In his latest bracket projection, Palm has the Jayhawks as a No. 6 seed in the East Region, setting up a first-round matchup against 11-seed Oklahoma in Providence.

While not exactly the most exciting draw, but it’s a game Bill Self’s team would expect to win.

If they get past the Sooners, things could get interesting fast.

A likely second-round clash with No. 3 Purdue looms, assuming the Boilermakers handle 14-seed Chattanooga.

East Region Snapshot

Jayhawk
Mar 1, 2025; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward KJ Adams Jr. (24) reacts after a play during the second half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images / William Purnell-Imagn Images

No. 1 Duke (vs. 16-seed in Raleigh)

No. 2 Alabama (vs. 15-seed South Alabama)

No. 3 Purdue (vs. 14-seed Chattanooga)

No. 4 Marquette (vs. 13-seed Akron)

No. 5 Kentucky (vs. 12-seed McNeese in Seattle)

No. 6 Kansas (vs. 11-seed Oklahoma in Providence)

No. 7 Maryland (vs. 10-seed Georgia)

All things considered, this isn’t a bad spot for Kansas.

Duke and Alabama are tough, but KU avoids some of the other top-tier threats until deeper in the bracket. A second-weekend appearance is very much on the table if the Jayhawks play their best basketball.

Of course, this is just a projection for now.

A lot can change before Selection Sunday, and Kansas still has work to do to lock in its seeding. But if this bracket holds? The road to a deep run wouldn’t be the worst.

Kansas Jayhawks On SI

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Mathey Gibson
MATHEY GIBSON

Mathey Gibson is the Managing Editor for the Kansas Jayhawks On SI. A graduate of the University of Alabama, he has extensive experience covering major college sports, including reporting on Crimson Tide athletics since 2019 for outlets like Alabama Crimson Tide On SI, The Crimson White, and Tide Illustrated. Now focused on Kansas, Gibson has covered significant events such as the NCAA Tournament, College World Series, and the College Football Playoff, bringing a deep understanding of collegiate athletics to one of the nation’s premier programs.

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