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Kansas HC Bill Self Believes Jayden Dawson Could Be March Madness Hero
Dawson has struggled to find his footing as a Jayhawk, but Self remains confident he can make a big impact in the NCAA Tournament.
Published on Mar. 8, 2026
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Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self believes that senior guard Jayden Dawson, a transfer from Loyola Chicago, has the potential to be a difference-maker for the team in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. Despite Dawson's inconsistent playing time and shooting struggles during the regular season, Self is confident that the sharpshooting wing can step up and win a game for Kansas in the postseason.
Why it matters
Kansas has had several transfer portal misses in recent years, with players failing to fit into Self's system and philosophy. Dawson represents another such case, as he was expected to compete for significant minutes this season but has fallen out of the rotation. However, Self's belief in Dawson's abilities and potential to impact the team's tournament run could provide a much-needed boost for the Jayhawks as they look to make a deep postseason run.
The details
Dawson possesses a skill set that Kansas' roster lacks, as he is a respectable point-of-attack defender and one of the best catch-and-shoot snipers from beyond the arc. While his 3-point shooting percentage has dipped since arriving in Lawrence, part of that can be attributed to his inconsistent playing time. Self is confident that Dawson's confidence and repeatable shooting motion will eventually pay off, and he doesn't need to have a Remy Martin-esque impact to be useful for the Jayhawks. Even a few timely threes or defensive stops from Dawson could help Kansas clinch a victory in the tournament.
- Dawson was introduced to the Allen Fieldhouse crowd for his Senior Day speech on Saturday, March 7, 2026.
- The NCAA Tournament is set to begin in the coming weeks.
The players
Bill Self
The Hall of Fame head coach of the Kansas Jayhawks basketball team.
Jayden Dawson
A senior guard for the Kansas Jayhawks, who transferred from Loyola Chicago. He is known for his sharpshooting abilities and defensive instincts.
Kohl Rosario
A co-eighth man off the bench for the Kansas Jayhawks, who shares playing time with Jayden Dawson.
What they’re saying
“He hasn't played as much as I know that he had hoped to, and you've seen glimpses of what he can do. He's got good defensive instincts, he can shoot the ball, and he's going to win a game for us moving forward, I guarantee it.”
— Bill Self, Head Coach, Kansas Jayhawks (The Capital-Journal)
What’s next
The Kansas Jayhawks are set to compete in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, where Jayden Dawson will have the opportunity to make an impact and potentially be a hero for the team.
The takeaway
This story highlights the importance of player development and the ability to adapt to a new system, as well as the potential for unexpected contributors to emerge in the high-stakes environment of the NCAA Tournament. While Jayden Dawson has struggled to find his footing at Kansas, Bill Self's unwavering belief in his abilities could be the spark that ignites a tournament run for the Jayhawks.
