Kansas Men's Basketball: Ranked Or Not?

what is kansas men

The Kansas Jayhawks are a successful college basketball team, with a record of 2429-908 across 127 seasons. They have been ranked in the AP Poll 48 times (Preseason), 49 times (Final), and a total of 876 weeks. They were ranked first in the AP Top 25 men's college basketball rankings during the first week of the 2024-25 season.

Characteristics Values
Ranking in 2024-25 season No. 1
Number of NCAA Championships 4
Years of NCAA Championships 1952, 1988, 2008, 2022
Number of AP Poll rankings 48 (Preseason), 49 (Final), 876 (Total)
Number of Conference Championships 64 (Regular Season), 16 (Tournament)
Number of NCAA Tournament appearances 53
Number of Final Four appearances 16
Record (since 1898-99) 2429-908
W-L% .728

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Kansas' ranking in men's college basketball

Kansas has enjoyed a strong history in men's college basketball, with 4 NCAA Championship wins in 1952, 1988, 2008, and 2022. They have also been Conference Champions a remarkable 64 times in the regular season and 16 times in tournaments.

In terms of rankings, Kansas has been ranked 48 times in the preseason AP Poll, 49 times in the final poll, and has been ranked for a total of 876 weeks.

In the 2024-25 season, Kansas was ranked as the preseason No. 1 in the AP Top 25 men's college basketball rankings. They maintained their No. 1 ranking after the first week of the season, earning 44 first-place votes. Kansas survived a close game against North Carolina, winning 92-89, which contributed to their strong start to the season.

However, by April 2025, Kansas had dropped out of the top-ranked positions and was receiving only 6 votes in the ESPN rankings.

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Kansas Jayhawks' performance in 2024-25

The 2024-25 season marked the 22nd year that the Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team was led by Hall of Fame head coach Bill Self. It was also the Jayhawks' 127th basketball season, with the team playing their home games at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas.

The Jayhawks are members of the Big 12 Conference, and their roster for the 2024-25 season underwent multiple changes. Several players left via the NBA draft or transfers, while new players were added via the transfer portal and recruiting. The roster at the start of the season included underclassmen who had entered the 2024 NBA draft and seniors from the previous season who had not announced a return to the team.

The Jayhawks' non-conference schedule included games against Michigan State in the Champions Classic, a road game against rival Missouri, and Creighton in the 2024 Big East–Big 12 Battle. Their overall record for the season was 21-13, with an 11-9 conference record, placing them 6th in the Big 12.

In the NCAA Tournament, the Jayhawks were seeded 7th in the West region but lost in the First Round to the 10th-seeded Arkansas by a score of 79-72. Despite this early exit, the Jayhawks' performance throughout the season showcased their resilience and determination, with their final ranking yet to be determined as votes are still being tallied.

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Kansas' NCAA Championship wins

The Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team is one of the most successful in the history of the NCAA. The team has won the NCAA Championship four times: in 1952, 1988, 2008, and 2022.

The Jayhawks won their first national championship in 1952, but it took 36 years for them to win their second. In 1988, the Kansas team, led by All-American Danny Manning and coach Larry Brown, became the first school to win the national championship as a No. 6 seed. This victory was particularly remarkable given that the team had accrued 11 losses that season—more than any other national champion before or since.

Thirty years later, in 2008, ESPN ranked Kansas second on a list of the most prestigious programs of the modern college basketball era. At that time, the Jayhawks held the longest streak of consecutive NCAA tournament appearances of all time (28), the longest current streak of consecutive NCAA winning seasons (35), the most winning seasons in Division I history (97), the most non-losing seasons in NCAA history, and the most First-Team All-Americans in Division I history.

The Jayhawks added a fourth championship to their tally in 2022, but they have also experienced several near misses. The team has been the runner-up in the NCAA tournament six times and has made the Final Four 16 times.

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Kansas' ranking in the AP Poll

Kansas Men's Basketball has had a long and successful history, with 4 NCAA Championship wins in 1952, 1988, 2008, and 2022. They have also been Conference Champions a total of 64 times in the regular season and 16 times in the tournament. The team has been ranked in the AP Poll 48 times in the preseason, 49 times in the final, and a total of 876 weeks.

In the 2024-25 season, the Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team started strong, maintaining its No. 1 ranking in the AP Top 25 men's college basketball rankings during the first week of the season. They earned 44 first-place votes, leading fellow top-five teams Alabama, UConn, Gonzaga, and Auburn. The Jayhawks narrowly defeated North Carolina 92-89, in one of the season's best opening games.

Kansas' No. 1 ranking in the AP Poll during the first week of the 2024-25 season was particularly notable due to the team's losses during the offseason. Point guards Aden Holloway, KD Johnson, and Tre Donaldson had all transferred, raising concerns about the team's performance for the upcoming season. However, Kansas silenced the doubters with dominant performances in their first two games, including a blowout victory over Vermont and a win over preseason No. 4 Houston.

The Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team has consistently been a powerhouse in college basketball, and their performance in the 2024-25 season's first week reinforced their position at the top of the AP Poll. Their ability to overcome challenges and maintain a winning record showcases the team's resilience and depth.

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Kansas' performance against North Carolina

The University of Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team has faced off against the University of North Carolina Tar Heels 13 times in history, with the most recent matchup occurring on November 8, 2024. In that game, Kansas, ranked No. 1 in the nation, blew a 20-point first-half lead but ultimately held on to beat No. 9 North Carolina 92-89. The Tar Heels had a chance to tie the game with a last-second three-pointer, but Elliot Cadeau's attempt missed as time expired.

Kansas was led by All-American center Hunter Dickinson, who scored the go-ahead basket with 1:15 remaining and added a foul shot with 12 seconds left. Other notable performers for the Jayhawks included KJ Adams Jr., who scored 14 points, and Seth Trimble, who added 19 points.

North Carolina's comeback effort was led by their exceptional backcourt, including All-American guard RJ Davis. The Tar Heels' top scorers were Seth Trimble with 19 points, Davis with 16, and Cadeau with 12 points and seven assists.

The rivalry between Kansas and North Carolina is relatively rare, with only 13 matchups occurring throughout history, including five Final Four games and two national title games. Kansas has won the last four matchups, all during the 22-year Bill Self era and all in the NCAA Tournament. The series is currently deadlocked at six wins apiece, with the next game scheduled for November 14, 2025, in Chapel Hill.

Frequently asked questions

As of November 2024, Kansas Men's Basketball is ranked No. 1 in the AP Top 25 men's college basketball rankings.

Kansas has had a successful basketball history, with 4 NCAA Championships: 1952, 1988, 2008, and 2022.

Kansas Men's Basketball maintained its No. 1 ranking in the AP Top 25 during the first week of the 2024-25 season.

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