Kansas Basketball Faces Disappointment After High Hopes for 2024-25 Season
Kansas began the 2024-25 season with high expectations. The team held the top national rank and was seen as a favorite for the championship. A strong transfer class—ranked third in the nation—had just joined. Veterans Hunter Dickinson, Dajuan Harris, and KJ Adams returned to the roster. Fans in Lawrence felt hope. However, the Jayhawks lost to Arkansas in the first NCAA Tournament round and ended with a 23-13 record. This season was the program’s worst since 1982-83. Head coach Bill Self spoke after the 79-72 loss. He said, "Life has its ups and downs, and we have not seen many downs." He added that in the last two years, the team finished in poor shape. This time, the team could not use that excuse. Self noted that while the roster was strong enough to compete, it was not among the very best in America.
The team’s new transfers did not perform as expected. Wisconsin transfer AJ Storr had once averaged 16.8 points per game, but in Kansas, he averaged only 6.1. He also played meaningful minutes in only two of the final seven games. Similarly, Alabama transfer Rylan Griffen saw his average drop from 11.2 points to 6.1. In the loss to Arkansas, Griffen played 13 minutes and scored three points.
Self remarked, "We must reevaluate our methods because misses are costly." He explained that success with transfers depends on more than effort—it also depends on luck. Some schools manage transfers well if the players fit in, but that is not always certain. Although Self was disappointed, he believed that the roster simply did not meet the high expectations.
As the offseason begins, the Jayhawks now face a major challenge. Almost 64% of their playing time will be lost because players like Dickinson, Harris, Adams, Artur Kalnins, and Shakeel Moore have used up their eligibility. Michael Swain from Phog.net even said he would be "shocked" if Storr returned next season. This comment hints at a big overhaul for Kansas basketball.
The program now stands at a crossroads. Kansas must rebuild and find its way back after one of the toughest seasons in twenty years.
