Kansas has been defined by its success hung up in the rafters. Head coach of the women’s team Brandon Schneider took the reins in 2015, and for the past decade, every season has looked more promising than the last.
For the women’s basketball team, the hope for success has not always been there. They only had four NCAA Tournament appearances in the last 26 years. With Schneider at head coach, they have two appearances, with both Kansas teams eliminated in the Round of 32.
This past season, Kansas recorded its second most wins in a season under Schneider, and it looked like the roster had the talent to making a run in March. With star players like Jaliya Davis and S’Mya Nichols returning, and new transfers in Erianna Gooden and Mariya Noel, the Jayhawks have high hopes on raising the standards next year.
What is the standard?
In the past five years, Kansas has been good enough to make two NCAA Tournaments and two WBITs, or what was known as the WNIT in 2023. Each season has started with the hopes of making a run in March, but ultimately it hasn’t happened.
Fans have gotten a taste of success with a WNIT Championship and a WBIT semi-final appearance, but is that what the fans are truly hoping for every year? Students like Junior Ben Norris have a hard time determining if they would rather make an NCAA Tournament and lose in the first round, or if they’d rather see a run in the WBIT.
“It’s hard to tell,” Norris said, “Obviously, you would want to see them end the season on a win, so to me, I’d rather see them make a run in something than get eliminated right away.”
The talent is clear for this upcoming season, and Kansas will need to act on it right away. Nichols is one of the most talented guards in the country, and now with players surrounding her that can contribute on multiple levels, the Jayhawks will have their most hyped season yet.
The standard isn’t invitational tournaments anymore, and Schneider will have his players ready to play. Fans like Sophomore Ty Price have high hopes on what the new standard could be.
“I think at the start of every year, I believe that we will make the tournament and do some damage,” Price added, “This year, I might, honestly, go into the season the most excited I have ever been.”
The farthest Kansas has ever made it in the NCAA Tournament was the Sweet 16, and fans are going to be hoping to get back to that level for the first time since 1998. The transfer portal has been good to the Jayhawks the past couple weeks, and Schneider will have one of his most talented rosters since coming to KU.
Although, WBIT runs are fun, and show just how good Kansas can be, the Jayhawks will have a new standard it seems like. With the conference up for grabs, Kansas will be looking to not only make the NCAA Tournament, but they will be predicted to be one of the top teams in the Big 12.
The new standard is set.
Caden Letsche