LAWRENCE — Kansas basketball has continued to add to its roster in recent weeks, as the 2025-26 season nears.
Toward the end of June, KU signed a pair of high-caliber players who’ll be freshmen this season. That would be guard Kohl Rosario, and center Paul Mbiya. Both are capable of providing valuable depth for a squad that was very much in need of it and have helped spur momentum for coach Bill Self’s team during the summer.
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So, at this point, where do things stand when it comes to Kansas’ potential place in the initial top 25 poll? How favorably do projections view the Jayhawks? Where does KU rank among other Big 12 Conference programs?
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Here are some recent projections for where Kansas could start the upcoming season in the top 25:
This projection places Kansas at No. 21, behind fellow Big 12 programs No. 1 Houston, No. 7 BYU, No. 12 Texas Tech, No. 13 Iowa State, and No. 17 Arizona. It’s clear that once again the Jayhawks are going to be dealing with a challenging league slate. Compete well within that, and odds are Self and company will be able to move up much higher than No. 21.
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Darryn Peterson’s arrival as one of the most high-profile freshmen in the nation generated a lot of buzz for the Jayhawks and has helped them come in at No. 21 in this projection. With returning sophomore forward Flory Bidunga, the duo has the potential to be one of the best the Big 12 has to offer this season. However, here KU is still behind some Big 12 programs in No. 3 Houston, No. 6 BYU, No. 10 Texas Tech, No. 13 Arizona, and No. 18 Iowa State.
This is the highest projection of the group and sets Kansas at No. 14 — just inside the top 15. Ahead of the Jayhawks, among Big 12 programs, are No. 2 Houston and No. 8 Iowa State. It’s an optimistic outlook for KU, as it looks to bounce back this season after a pair of disappointing finishes across the past two postseasons.
March 13, 2025; Kansas City, MO; Kansas basketball forward Flory Bidunga (40) battles for position during a game against Arizona at the T-Mobile Center.
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas basketball way-too-early top 25 projections coach Bill Self
