Kansas Jayhawks Earn 36th Straight NCAA Tournament Bid

Jayhawks receive 4-seed, face 13-seed Cal Baptist in first round

Mar. 16, 2026 at 3:37pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Kansas Jayhawks have extended their NCAA record by earning their 36th consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament. The Jayhawks, who tied for third in the Big 12 regular season, received a 4-seed in the East region and will face 13-seed California Baptist in the first round in San Diego on Friday.

Why it matters

The Jayhawks' 36 straight NCAA Tournament appearances is an incredible feat, showcasing the sustained excellence and consistency of one of college basketball's premier programs. This marks the 53rd all-time tournament appearance for Kansas, further cementing their status as one of the sport's blue bloods.

The details

Kansas enters the tournament with a 23-10 overall record after falling to Houston in the Big 12 Tournament semifinals. The Jayhawks will take on a California Baptist squad that went 24-8 in the Western Athletic Conference. This will be the first ever matchup between the two programs.

  • The first round matchup between Kansas and Cal Baptist is set for 8:45 p.m. Central Time on Friday, March 21, 2026 in San Diego.
  • Kansas has now earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament for 36 consecutive seasons, an NCAA record.

The players

Kansas Jayhawks

One of college basketball's most successful and storied programs, the Kansas Jayhawks are making their 53rd NCAA Tournament appearance and 36th in a row, an NCAA record.

California Baptist Lancers

The California Baptist Lancers earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament by winning the Western Athletic Conference. This will be their first ever matchup against the Kansas Jayhawks.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The winner of the Kansas-Cal Baptist first round matchup will advance to face the winner of the 5-seed vs. 12-seed game in the second round.

The takeaway

Kansas' 36th straight NCAA Tournament appearance is a testament to the program's sustained excellence and status as one of college basketball's blue bloods. Despite facing a tough first round opponent in Cal Baptist, the Jayhawks will look to make another deep run in the Big Dance as they pursue their 5th national championship.