Hailey
Kansas head coach Bill Self did not hold back when discussing the upcoming conference grind. His message was clear and direct: this Big 12 season will be a monster.
The Big 12 Conference is no longer just top-heavy. It is stacked from top to bottom, with elite programs, dangerous middle-tier teams, and road environments that punish even veteran squads. According to Self, there are no easy wins left, whether at home or away.
Where Kansas Stands Heading Into League Play
The Kansas Jayhawks enter Big 12 play after a solid but imperfect nonconference stretch. Kansas sits inside the national rankings and has shown flashes of championship-level basketball, while also revealing areas that still need tightening before the grind intensifies.
Self described conference play as an entirely different season. Nonconference results provide lessons, but Big 12 games determine identity, toughness, and postseason readiness.
Why The Big 12 Schedule Is Even Tougher This Year
One of the biggest structural changes this season is the reduced conference schedule. The Big 12 moved from 20 league games to 18, even while expanding to 16 teams.
Each team now plays:
- Three opponents twice
- Twelve opponents once
That format increases unpredictability. Some teams face multiple elite opponents twice, while others draw fewer repeat matchups. Self openly acknowledged that Kansas’ draw is especially demanding.
Elite Teams Everywhere You Look
The Big 12 features multiple programs with legitimate Final Four and national championship potential. Several teams entered conference play unbeaten or with only one loss, and many are ranked comfortably inside the Top 20.
What concerns Self most is not just the elite tier, but the middle of the league. Programs that may not be ranked can still beat anyone on a given night, particularly at home.
He emphasized that the difference between first place and seventh place may come down to a handful of possessions.
Kansas’ Difficult Path Through The Conference
Kansas faces one of the toughest conference slates in the league. By rule, the Jayhawks always play Kansas State twice, and this season they also draw two elite repeat opponents.
Self pointed out that some Big 12 teams avoid facing multiple top-ranked programs twice, while Kansas does not. He also highlighted that several road venues in the league have recently become problem spots for KU, making early focus critical.
Kansas opens Big 12 play on the road, immediately testing its composure and defensive discipline against a confident opponent.
Key Big 12 And Kansas Facts At A Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Conference size | 16 teams |
| League games | 18 per team |
| Schedule format | 3 teams played twice, 12 played once |
| Kansas status | Ranked nationally entering Big 12 play |
| League strength | Multiple Top-15 teams plus deep middle tier |
| Self’s outlook | Finishing top 4–5 equals elite national status |
What Success Looks Like For Kansas
Self made it clear that expectations need context. In previous years, winning the Big 12 often meant you were one of the best teams in America. Now, simply finishing near the top may say the same thing.
He believes a fourth- or fifth-place Big 12 team could still be strong enough to make a deep NCAA Tournament run. That reality changes how success is measured in Lawrence.
Bill Self’s “monster” comment is not exaggeration—it is a warning grounded in reality. The Big 12 has become college basketball’s most demanding league, combining elite talent, depth, hostile road games, and relentless scheduling pressure.
For Kansas, every possession will matter. Every road trip will test maturity. And every win, regardless of opponent, will carry real weight. If the Jayhawks navigate this monster intact, they will be battle-tested for March.