Kansas Jayhawks coach Bill Self speaks to the media after the game against the Houston Cougars at Allen Fieldhouse on Monday, February 23, 2026. The final week of the regular season has arrived, but Kansas isn’t operating like a program ready for a deep NCAA Tournament run.
The 14th-ranked Jayhawks have lost three of their last five games (18 points, 16 points and 23 points) entering Tuesday’s Big 12 contest against Arizona State in Tempe, Arizona.
Kansas (21-8, 11-5 Big 12) is tied for fourth place in the tough Big 12 and closes the regular season Saturday against visiting Kansas State.
Despite their recent troubles, the Jayhawks remain in contention for a top four finish and a final spot in the upcoming Big 12 Conference Tournament.
“It’s very important. The next two are very important,” Kansas guard Melvin Council Jr. said. “We need to get a double bye for the Big 12 tournament.”
Kansas was routed 84-61 by No. 2 Arizona on Saturday, a contest in which they outscored 19-0.
The Jayhawks shot 33.8% from the field and were hit hard on the boards as Arizona maintained a 48-26 rebounding advantage.
“I thought they dominated us physically inside, which was obvious to anyone watching, and our shot selection was so poor,” Kansas coach Bill Self said.
“…I thought they were too aggressive. To be honest, I thought we played really soft.”
Freshman Darryn Peterson scored 24 points for his eighth 20-point effort of the season. But he was just 8 of 21 from the field.
Peterson leads the Jayhawks in scoring (19.7 points per game) and 50 3-pointers despite playing in just 18 games. Tre White (14.0), Flory Bidunga (13.8) and Council (13.5) are also averaging more than 13 points per game.
Bidunga leads the Big 12 in field goal percentage (64.8) and blocked shots (77) and ranks fifth in rebounds (9.0).
Kansas’ last two blowout losses came at home against Iowa State (74-56 on Feb. 14) and Cincinnati (84-68 on Feb. 21).
Arizona State (15-14, 6-10) has won three of its last five games following last Saturday’s 73-60 home win over Utah. The Sun Devils had a season-low five turnovers.
Much of the talk about the Sun Devils has centered around 11th-year coach Bobby Hurley.
Hurley has led Arizona State to three NCAA Tournament appearances, but the Sun Devils have finished below .500 in four of the last five seasons and could do so again this season.
Athletic director Graham Rossini recently said a decision on Hurley’s future will be made after the season.
Arizona State advances to the Big 12 Tournament after closing the regular season Saturday at Iowa State.
Leading scorer Maurice Odum overcame a lingering foot injury to score 15 points against Utah. It was his 11th straight double-digit effort.
“I’m happy to secure this win and maintain the lead and we need to do that in the next two games,” Odum said.
Odom has made three or more 3-point shots in 10 consecutive games. He is averaging 17.1 points and leads the team with 5.9 assists, 82 3-pointers and 40 steals per game.
Odum hopes to carry the momentum from Utah’s win into the Kansas contest.
“We just have to continue to review film, look at what we did right and follow our scouts every game,” Odum said. “…We get that energy from the games we see on film. We need to get some wins.”
Massamba Diop added 14 points for the Sun Devils, Anthony “Pig” Johnson added 13 points off the bench and Santiago Trouet added 12 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks.
Kansas won 74-55 at home against Arizona State last season.
–Field level media
