Bill Self and the Kansas Jayhawks secured a 23-10 record and 12-6 in Big 12 play during the 2025-26 college basketball regular season, earning the No. 4 seed in the East region of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Kansas opened up its March Madness run with a 68-60 first-round win over the No. 13 seed California Baptist Lancers, advancing to the round of 32.
However, the Jayhawks’ run did not last much longer, as they fell to Rick Pitino and No. 5 seed St. John’s 67-65 in the second round. The game ended when St. John’s Dylan Darling hit a go-ahead layup as time expired, sending Self and Kansas home. The loss marks the fourth straight season the Jayhawks have been eliminated in the first weekend of March Madness, a streak that began after their national title win in 2021-22.
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The Red Storm were led by Big East Player of the Year Zuby Ejiofor, who tallied 18 points on 6-of-14 shooting, nine rebounds and four assists. Bryce Hopkins added another 18 points for St. John's as well. And Kansas' star freshman, Darryn Peterson, was held to 21 points on 5-of-15 shooting, eight of which came from the free-throw line, and four rebounds.
Self has become one of the best coaches the NCAA has ever seen since becoming Kansas' head coach in 2003. He has led the Jayhawks to two national championship wins in three Final Four appearances, along with nine Big 12 tournament titles. Self has also been named the AP College Coach of the Year twice during his run in Lawrence.
After the loss to St. John’s, Self spoke to the media in a postgame interview. And the longtime coach addressed his future at Kansas, saying he plans to speak with his family before deciding whether to return for another season or call it quits.
"Bill Self said he will talk with family before making a decision on whether he returns for another season. 'I love what I do, but I’d like to feel good while doing it,'" The Kansas City Star's Sam McDowell wrote on X.
While Self and Kansas are heading home, Pitino and St. John's will move on to the Sweet 16, where they will face Jon Scheyer and the No. 1 overall seed Duke Blue Devils on Friday.
