KANSAS

ESPN's Joe Lunardi Makes His Kansas NCAA Tournament Prediction

ESPN's resident bracketologist expects the Jayhawks to take care of business in the first round against the Razorbacks - and then run into St. John's

Jackson Langendorf

Mar 12, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas Jayhawks center Hunter Dickinson (1) reacts after a play during overtime against the UCF Knights at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images
Mar 12, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas Jayhawks center Hunter Dickinson (1) reacts after a play during overtime against the UCF Knights at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images / William Purnell-Imagn Images
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After starting the season on top of the college basketball world, and putting together quite the non-conference resume that included wins over Michigan State (a two seed) and Duke (a one seed), Kansas (21-12) stumbled through Big 12 play, finishing its conference slate 11-9, and ultimately ending the season outside of the AP Poll. 

Nonetheless, Kansas found itself in the NCAA Tournament for the 35th straight year – this time landing as a seventh seed and drawing a first round matchup with Arkansas. 

With the bracket decided, ESPN’s star bracketologist Joe Lunardi has turned to tournament predictions – and he shared his thoughts on the Jayhawks.

In March, there’s few better determinants of success than experience, and as Lunardi pointed out, Kansas has that in spades:

“The Jayhawks are one of the most experienced and talented teams in the tournament, with double-double machine Hunter Dickinson in the middle and 2022 national champions Dajuan Harris Jr. at the point and KJ Adams bringing the energy.”

Despite Kansas’ veteran roster, and high-level talent, Lunardi doesn’t expect the Jayhawks to be in-line to make any waves in the Big Dance:

“Kansas has the talent to make a deep run in March, but I don’t see it this year.”

And why doesn’t he see it?

Well, as far as Lunardi is concerned, the Jayhawks are lacking a true “alpha dog” that serves as a go-to player down the stretch.

With all that in mind, Lunardi expects Kansas to get past Arkansas, but get sent home in the second round by Rick Pitino and St. John’s.

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Jackson Langendorf
JACKSON LANGENDORF

Primarily covers Illinois football and basketball, and Kansas basketball, with an emphasis on analysis, features and recruiting. Langendorf, a third-generation University of Illinois alum, has been watching Illini basketball and football for as long as he can remember. An advertising student and journalism devotee, he has been writing for On SI since October 2024. He can be followed and reached on X @jglangendorf.

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