It is certainly not uncommon for the Kansas Jayhawks to enter the NCAA Tournament as one of the top seeds across Kansas sports betting. In fact, this year marked the tenth time in the Bill Self era that the Jayhawks were ranked as one of the four No. 1 seeds. Self has been at the helm of the basketball program since 2004, making the ten No. 1 seeds a remarkable accomplishment.
The Jayhawks have performed well as the top seed, with two championships among seven trips to at least the Elite Eight. Performing well as a top seed is to be expected, of course, but managing to break through and realize your potential is still an impressive feat. The tougher challenge in college sports is to back it up the next year, a task for next year's team after the Jayhawks fell to Arkansas in the Round of 32 with Self sidelined with a health issue.
With the year-to-year roster turnover, coming back after being the top seed doesn’t always make for the easiest year, though expect KU to still get decent future odds at BetMGM Sportsbook Kansas.
Brick By Brick
With Bill Self running the ship, Kansas has done a great job continuing to build on successes year after year.
In the years following being a one seed, Self has guided the Jayhawks to another top seed five times, a two seed two times, a three seed once and a four seed once.
With his expectations of excellence and consistency, the four seed is actually the lowest seed he has ever entered March Madness with while coaching this squad.
As everyone who watches college basketball and monitors Kansas sports betting apps knows, it isn’t what seed you go into the tournament with, but what round you make it to that really determines success. With Self and the Jayhawks they also check off the right boxes during tournament play when it comes to following up being a top seed.
In the year directly following being a top seed, Self has led his team to two championship games, with one win in 2008 and a loss in 2012.
They’ve made it to the Final Four one other time for three total trips, and have five total appearances in the Elite Eight. Only three times have they endured disappointing finishes, losing in the second round in 2014 and 2019 in addition to their second round loss to Arkansas this past Saturday.
Despite the year ending in disappointment, Kansas basketball fans and bettors have history on their side, knowing that Self has been able to overcome such losses and keep the program as one of the best in the country. Kansas had entered the tournament with the second best odds to win at most sportsbooks, including DraftKings Sportsbook Kansas, and will no doubt be in a similar position next year as they look to continue their strong streak of performing well the year after being a top seed.
BetKansas.com is your home for Kansas sportsbook promotions throughout the NCAA Tournament.
