LAWRENCE — When Bill Self talks about getting Kansas basketball to compete at an elite level and what success that might come with, he talks about being in the game.
It’s a comment that highlights how much he wants the potential to be there—that if things fell right for his team, they would have a chance to win a national title that season. It’s something that, in a tenure leading KU that began with the 2003-04 season, he thinks they’ve been capable of doing 18 or 19 times. With the Jayhawks, Self has been able to capture two national championships in 2008 and 2022.
The ability to play for the highest stakes is what Self is looking for. He understands how difficult that is, but he wants to be in that conversation. As much as he could understand right now, people might look at his 2026-27 team and think they’re more at the back end of the top 25 right now, he still thinks that this group has the capability to be in the game.
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Here are a few more takeaways from Self’s appearance on an episode of “Inside College Basketball Now,” posted to the CBS Sports College Basketball page on YouTube on Thursday:
What does Kansas’ 2026-27 team look like?
Self said he thinks they’re a better shooting team this season, and while not freakishly athletic, they're still well above average in that area. Also, with freshman guard Tyran Stokes, they’ll have the most talented player on the court each night. That doesn’t mean Stokes will always be the best player on the court, but the raw talent is there.
Also, while there are pieces around Stokes, the team as a whole has to prove itself. Can senior forward Keanu Dawes be someone who can average 14 points and eight rebounds each game? Can sophomore guard Leroy Blyden Jr. and freshman guard Taylen Kinney shoot it well enough from behind the arc that, along with their teammates, the team hits 37% or 38% of its 3s this season?
Self, who also mentioned needing to make sure they have a 5-man who can anchor things inside, said he thinks all the answers to those questions are yes. However, that’s if everything goes perfectly. There isn’t as much margin for error this season, and they need to stay healthy, but he likes their chances after a great summer.
Self mentioned junior center Paul Mbiya and sophomore guard Kohl Rosario have each improved a lot. Blyden, Kinney, and senior guard Dennis Parker Jr. can all play, with freshman guard Luke Barnett also showcasing his ability to shoot the ball. Still, though, Stokes needs to put the team on his back.
Does Tyran Stokes remind Bill Self of anyone?
Self pointed to being a bit of Andrew Wiggins and a bit of Josh Jackson, two high-profile players Self coached at KU. Wiggins was so explosive, and Jackson had a dog mentality. Stokes might not be as explosive, but he is a great athlete with skill and has some of that dog mentality, too.
Self added Stokes will have to manage that mentality, and make sure he’s thinking about the next play and not the last one. But Self would rather deal with someone who needs to control their emotions sometimes, as opposed to someone who needs to be encouraged. Stokes arrived on campus as the 247Sports No. 1 overall recruit in the class of 2026.
What are the keys to Kansas enjoying success this season?
Self mentioned guard play from some of the younger guys, Dawes being aggressive, 5th-year center Christian Reeves getting healthy and Mbiya doing enough to be a contributor. Also, they need to have Stokes operate as their best player. If the Jayhawks can figure all that out and help each other get better, they can compete at the level Self wants. He also thinks that, while they don’t deserve right now to be ranked where some of the other contenders will be, the schedule they have will give them a chance to capture some attention early on.
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas basketball coach Bill Self shares insight into Jayhawks roster