Kansas Jayhawks Aim for Big 12 Tournament Glory

Favorable draw puts Kansas in position for deep tourney run and higher NCAA seed

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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With the No. 3 seed and a double bye, the Kansas Jayhawks are in prime position to make a deep run in the 2026 Big 12 Tournament. The Jayhawks will face the winner of TCU, Colorado, and Oklahoma State in the quarterfinals, teams they defeated during the regular season. A potential rematch with Houston, who Kansas recently blew out, looms in the semifinals. After a subpar 3-3 record in the conference tournament since 2023, the Jayhawks are hungry to reclaim the Big 12 crown and boost their NCAA Tournament seeding.

Why it matters

Kansas' strong regular season has them poised for a high NCAA Tournament seed, but a deep run in the Big 12 Tournament could further improve their March Madness positioning. The Jayhawks are looking to end their recent struggles in the conference tournament and reassert themselves as the Big 12 powerhouse.

The details

With the No. 3 seed, Kansas has earned a double bye and will face the winner of No. 6 TCU and the winner of No. 11 Colorado and No. 14 Oklahoma State in the quarterfinals. The Jayhawks defeated all three of those teams during the regular season, including a thrilling overtime win against TCU. If Kansas can get past the quarterfinals, a potential rematch with No. 2 seed Houston, a team the Jayhawks recently blew out, could await in the semifinals.

  • The Big 12 Tournament begins on March 10, 2026.
  • Kansas' first game will be in the quarterfinals on March 13, 2026.
  • The Big 12 Tournament championship game is scheduled for March 16, 2026.

The players

Kansas Jayhawks

The Kansas Jayhawks are the No. 3 seed in the 2026 Big 12 Tournament after a strong regular season.

TCU Horned Frogs

The TCU Horned Frogs are the No. 6 seed in the Big 12 Tournament and will face the winner of Colorado and Oklahoma State in the opening round.

Colorado Buffaloes

The Colorado Buffaloes are the No. 11 seed in the Big 12 Tournament and will face No. 14 Oklahoma State in the opening round, with the winner advancing to play TCU.

Houston Cougars

The Houston Cougars are the No. 2 seed in the Big 12 Tournament and could face Kansas in the semifinals if both teams advance.

Bill Self

The head coach of the Kansas Jayhawks, who missed a game against Colorado earlier this season due to a brief hospitalization.

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What’s next

If Kansas can advance past the quarterfinals, they will face the winner of Houston and either West Virginia or BYU in the semifinals on March 15, 2026. The Big 12 Tournament championship game is scheduled for March 16, 2026.

The takeaway

Kansas has a favorable path to the Big 12 Tournament finals, but they will need to play their best basketball to secure a high NCAA Tournament seed. A deep run in the conference tournament could be a springboard for the Jayhawks' March Madness aspirations.