The 2024-25 college basketball season is officially underway, and the Kansas Jayhawks are starting right where they left off – at the top. After a dominant run to the national championship last year, Kansas has been crowned the preseason No. 1 team in the country. The Jayhawks will begin their title defense on Monday night against Howard University at Allen Fieldhouse, the legendary arena in Lawrence, Kansas.
This season promises to be another exciting one in college basketball, with several powerhouse programs vying for the top spot. But all eyes will be on Kansas as they look to repeat as champions. Can Bill Self and his talented squad live up to the hype and cement their dynasty?
Jayhawks Reload with Returning Stars and Key Additions
Despite losing some key players to the NBA draft, Kansas returns a strong core of veterans, including All-American forward KJ Adams Jr. and point guard Dajuan Harris Jr. They’ve also added impact transfers like AJ Storr (Wisconsin), Rylan Griffen (Alabama), and Zeke Mayo (South Dakota State), along with a top-ranked recruiting class. This blend of experience and fresh talent has many believing that Kansas is the team to beat.
Early Season Challenges and a Loaded Schedule
While the Jayhawks are the favorites, the road to the championship will be anything but easy. A challenging non-conference schedule includes matchups against perennial contenders like North Carolina, Duke, and Kentucky. And the Big 12 conference is stacked with tough opponents like Baylor, Texas, and Houston.
My Take: Can Kansas Handle the Pressure?
As a lifelong college basketball fan, I’ve seen plenty of preseason No. 1 teams crumble under the weight of expectations. Kansas has the talent and the coaching to repeat, but they’ll need to stay focused and hungry. The target on their backs will be bigger than ever, and every opponent will be giving them their best shot.
One thing I’ll be watching closely is how the Jayhawks handle adversity. Last year’s team showed incredible resilience in the NCAA tournament, overcoming deficits and close games. That championship experience will be invaluable, but they’ll need to prove they can maintain that same level of intensity throughout the long season.
Key Questions for the Jayhawks
The answers to these questions will likely determine whether Kansas can repeat as champions.
The Road to the Final Four
The journey to the Final Four in Phoenix, Arizona will be a grueling one. Kansas will face challenges every step of the way, but they have the potential to be a truly special team. With a Hall of Fame coach in Bill Self, a talented roster, and the experience of winning a championship, the Jayhawks are poised for another memorable season.