2019–20 Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team


The 2019–20 Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team represented the University of Kansas in the 2019–20 NCAA Division I men's basketball season, which was the Jayhawks' 122nd basketball season. The Jayhawks, members of the Big 12 Conference, played their home games at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas. They were led by 17th year Hall of Fame head coach Bill Self.

2019–20 Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball
ConferenceBig 12 Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 1
APNo. 1
Record28–3 (17–1 Big 12)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
Home arenaAllen Fieldhouse
Seasons
2019–20 Big 12 men's basketball standings
ConfOverall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
No. 1 Kansas171 .944283 .903
No. 5 Baylor153 .833264 .867
No. 24 West Virginia99 .5002110 .677
Texas99 .5001912 .613
Oklahoma99 .5001912 .613
Texas Tech99 .5001813 .581
TCU711 .3891616 .500
Oklahoma State711 .3891814 .563
Iowa State513 .2781220 .375
Kansas State315 .1671121 .344
Note: The 2020 Big 12 Tournament was canceled prior to the quarterfinals due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rankings from AP poll

Season notes

The Jayhawks attempted to rebound from losing six players through the draft and outgoing transfers, including Silvio De Sousa, who had been battling the NCAA regarding his eligibility. De Sousa did state if he wins his appeal regarding the NCAA declaring him ineligible, he would return to Kansas.[1] On May 24, 2019, he won his appeal.[2] Kansas was ranked 3rd in the preseason AP Poll, their 7th consecutive season beginning the season ranked in the top five. Additionally, it was the 201st consecutive poll the Jayhawks have been ranked in, which is the longest active streak in the nation.[3] As of the poll released March 9, 2020, the Jayhawks have extended the streak to 219 consecutive polls ranked. They have not played a game as an unranked team since January 31, 2009. After defeating TCU on March 4, 2020, the Jayhawks clinched their 62nd Regular Season Conference Championship, and their 15th in 16 seasons.[4] It was the first time since the 2009-10 season that KU finished the regular season ranked first in the nation. Additionally, the Jayhawks led the nation in quadrant one wins, went undefeated against unranked teams and only lost games to ranked teams, one each at neutral site, home, and away. The Jayhawks set a team record for combined team GPA with a GPA of 3.21.[5]

COVID-19 pandemic impact

The 2020 Big 12 men's basketball tournament was cancelled March 12 before the quarterfinals were able to begin; The Jayhawks were scheduled to play Oklahoma State. Later that day, the University of Kansas announced that travel for athletics, as well as all home and away athletic events were suspended.[6] That afternoon, the NCAA cancelled the 2020 NCAA tournament prior to the Big 12 naming an automatic bid. It was the first time in the tournament's history it had been canceled. After the cancellation, the NCAA stated it did not intend to name a national champion.[7]

From a standpoint of a mythical national championship claim that the program has not made, the program finished first in both wire service polls, which in college football (which the NCAA has never held a tournament at the FBS level) is recognised as a "consensus" national championship. Kansas currently recognises the Helms Athletic Foundation rankings released in 1943 of the 1921-22 and 1922-23 teams as national champions.

Roster changes

Early draft entrants

Beginning with the 2019 draft, players who declare for the NBA draft and are not selected are able to return to their school if they terminate their agreement with their agent. If they are selected, however, all remaining eligibility is forfeited. Below are any players that declared for the draft. Also indicated is if the player chose to remain in the draft. The class given is the class the player was for the 2018–19 season.

NamePositionClassStayed in
draft
Dedric Lawson[8]FRS JuniorYes
Quentin Grimes[9]GFreshmanNo[10]
Devon Dotson[11]GFreshmanNo[10]
Silvio De Sousa[1]FSophomoreNo[2]

Recruiting class

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
NameHometownHigh school / collegeHeightWeightCommit date
Issac McBride
G
Little Rock, ARArkansas Baptist6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)170 lb (77 kg)Oct 1, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:    ESPN grade: 81
Christian Braun
G
Burlington, KSBlue Valley Northwest6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)175 lb (79 kg)Nov 14, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:    ESPN grade: 81
Tristan Enaruna
F
Almere, NetherlandsWasatch Academy6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)205 lb (93 kg)May 7, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:    ESPN grade: 83
Jalen Wilson
F
Denton, TexasGuyer6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)215 lb (98 kg)Jun 12, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:    ESPN grade: 85
Dajuan Harris
G
Columbia, MissouriRock Bridge6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)160 lb (73 kg)Jul 16, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:    ESPN grade: 81
Overall recruiting rankings:     247 Sports: 15     Rivals: 17      ESPN: NR 

Transfers

Outgoing

NamePositionClassNew School
Charlie Moore[12]GRS SophomoreDePaul[13]
K. J. Lawson[14]GRS SeniorTulane[15]
Quentin Grimes[10]GFreshmanHouston[16]
Garrett Luinstra[17]GFreshmanCentral Missouri[18]

Incoming

NamePositionClassOld School
Isaiah MossGuardRS SeniorIowa[19]

Left program before playing

NamePositionClassNew School
Issac McBrideGFreshmanVanderbilt

Walk-ons

NamePositionClassHigh schoolHome town
Michael JankovichGuardFreshmanJesuitDallas, Texas

Roster

2019–20 Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team
PlayersCoaches
Pos.#NameHeightWeightYearHometown
G0Marcus Garrett6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)195 lb (88 kg)JrDallas, TX
G1Devon Dotson6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)185 lb (84 kg)SoCharlotte, NC
G2Christian Braun6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)205 lb (93 kg)FrBurlington, KS
G3Dajuan Harris (I)6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)160 lb (73 kg)FrColumbia, MO
G4Isaiah Moss6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)208 lb (94 kg)RS SrChicago, IL
G5Elijah Elliott (W)6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)185 lb (84 kg)RS FrSouthlake, TX
F10Jalen Wilson    6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)215 lb (98 kg)FrDenton, TX
G12Chris Teahan6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)195 lb (88 kg)JrLeawood, KS
G/F13Tristan Enaruna6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)200 lb (91 kg)FrAlmere, Netherlands
G20Michael Jankovich (W)6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)185 lb (84 kg)FrDallas, TX
F22Silvio De Sousa6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)245 lb (111 kg)JrLuanda, Angola
G30Ochai Agbaji6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)210 lb (95 kg)SoKansas City, MO
C33David McCormack6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)265 lb (120 kg)SoNorfolk, VA
C35Udoka Azubuike7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)270 lb (122 kg)SrDelta, Nigeria
F44Mitch Lightfoot  6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)225 lb (102 kg)SrGilbert, AZ
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • (W) Walk-on

Roster
Last update: March 9, 2020

Schedule and results

Date
time, TV
Rank#Opponent#ResultRecordHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsSite (attendance)
city, state
Exhibition
October 24, 2019*
7:00 pm, ESPN+
No. 3 Fort Hays StateW 86–56 
 21  Agbaji  8  Tied  5  Garrett Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)
Lawrence, KS
October 31, 2019*
7:00 pm, ESPN+
No. 3 Pittsburg StateW 102–42 
 19  Agbaji  12  Azubuike  6  Agbaji Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)
Lawrence, KS
Regular Season
November 5, 2019*
6:00 pm, ESPN
No. 3 vs. No. 4 Duke
Champions Classic
L 66–68 0–1
 17  Dotson  13  McCormack  5  Garrett Madison Square Garden (19,812)
New York, NY
November 8, 2019*
8:00 pm, ESPNU
No. 3 UNC GreensboroW 74–62 1–1
 22  Dotson  10  Azubuike  6  Dotson Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)
Lawrence, KS
November 15, 2019*
7:00 pm, ESPN+
No. 5 MonmouthW 112–57 2–1
 21  Moss  11  McCormack  4  Dotson Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)
Lawrence, KS
November 19, 2019*
7:00 pm, ESPN+
No. 4 East Tennessee State
Maui Invitational campus game
W 75–63 3–1
 21  Azubuike  7  Azubuike  6  Dotson Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)
Lawrence, KS
November 25, 2019*
8:00 pm, ESPNU
No. 4 vs. Chaminade
Maui Invitational Quarterfinals
W 93–65 4–1
 19  Dotson  7  Azubuike  7  Garrett Lahaina Civic Center (2,400)
Lahaina, HI
November 26, 2019*
9:30 pm, ESPN
No. 4 vs. BYU
Maui Invitational Semifinals
W 71–56 5–1
 16  McCormack  10  Azubuike  8  Dotson Lahaina Civic Center (2,400)
Lahaina, HI
November 27, 2019*
4:00 pm, ESPN
No. 4 vs. Dayton
Maui Invitational Championship
W 90–84 OT6–1
 31  Dotson  7  Garrett  4  Tied Lahaina Civic Center (2,400)
Lahaina, HI
December 7, 2019*
6:00 pm, ESPN2
No. 2 No. 20 ColoradoW 72–58 7–1
 20  Agbaji  12  Agbaji  6  Tied Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)
Lawrence, KS
December 10, 2019*
7:00 pm, ESPN+
No. 2 MilwaukeeW 95–68 8–1
 22  Tied  17  Azubuike  9  Dotson Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)
Lawrence, KS
December 14, 2019*
4:00 pm, ESPN+
No. 2 Kansas City
Jayhawk Shootout
W 98–57 9–1
 28  McCormack  7  Tied  4  Tied Sprint Center (17,702)
Kansas City, MO
December 21, 2019*
11:00 am, FOX
No. 1 at No. 18 Villanova
Big 12/Big East Alliance
L 55–56 9–2
 15  Dotson  11  Azubuike  4  Tied Wells Fargo Center (20,706)
Philadelphia, PA
December 29, 2019*
2:00 pm, ABC
No. 5 at StanfordW 72–56 10–2
 17  Moss  13  Azubuike  4  Garrett Maples Pavilion (6,582)
Stanford, CA
January 4, 2020
3:00 pm, ESPN+
No. 3 No. 16 West VirginiaW 60–53 11–2
(1–0)
 17  Azubuike  11  Azubuike  6  Garrett Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)
Lawrence, KS
January 8, 2020
7:00 pm, ESPN+
No. 3 at Iowa StateW 79–53 12–2
(2–0)
 20  Dotson  7  Tied  6  Dotson Hilton Coliseum (14,384)
Ames, IA
January 11, 2020
12:00 pm, CBS
No. 3 No. 4 BaylorL 55–67 12–3
(2–1)
 15  Moss  11  Azubuike  4  Garrett Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)
Lawrence, KS
January 14, 2020
8:00 pm, ESPN
No. 6 at OklahomaW 66–52 13–3
(3–1)
 20  Moss  14  Azubuike  5  Garrett Lloyd Noble Center (10,486)
Norman, OK
January 18, 2020
1:00 pm, ESPN
No. 6 at TexasW 66–57 14–3
(4–1)
 21  Dotson  9  Azubuike  7  Garrett Frank Erwin Center (11,762)
Austin, TX
January 21, 2020
6:00 pm, ESPN2
No. 3 Kansas State
Sunflower Showdown
W 81–60 15–3
(5–1)
 20  Braun  14  Azubuike  5  Garrett Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)
Lawrence, KS
January 25, 2020*
3:00 pm, ESPN
No. 3 Tennessee
Big 12/SEC Challenge
W 74–68 16–3
 22  Dotson  11  Azubuike  7  Dotson Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)
Lawrence, KS
January 27, 2020
8:00 pm, ESPN2
No. 3 at Oklahoma StateW 65–50 17–3
(6–1)
 16  Braun  9  Braun  9  Garrett Gallagher-Iba Arena (8,818)
Stillwater, OK
February 1, 2020
3:00 pm, ESPN
No. 3 Texas TechW 78–75 18–3
(7–1)
 21  Dotson  8  Azubuike  3  Tied Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)
Lawrence, KS
February 3, 2020
8:00 pm, ESPN
No. 3 TexasW 69–58 19–3
(8–1)
 17  Azubuike  12  Azubuike  4  Garrett Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)
Lawrence, KS
February 8, 2020
11:00 am, ESPN2
No. 3 at TCUW 60–46 20–3
(9–1)
 20  Azubuike  14  Azubuike  11  Dotson Schollmaier Arena (6,728)
Fort Worth, TX
February 12, 2020
6:00 pm, ESPN+
No. 3 at No. 14 West VirginiaW 58–49 21–3
(10–1)
 15  Dotson  7  Tied  4  Garrett WVU Coliseum (14,212)
Morgantown, WV
February 15, 2020
11:00 am, ESPN
No. 3 OklahomaW 87–70 22–3
(11–1)
 24  Garrett  17  Azubuike  7  Garrett Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)
Lawrence, KS
February 17, 2020
8:00 pm, ESPN
No. 3 Iowa StateW 91–71 23–3
(12–1)
 29  Dotson  8  Garrett  6  Garrett Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)
Lawrence, KS
February 22, 2020
11:00 am, ESPN
No. 3 at No. 1 BaylorW 64–61 24–3
(13–1)
 23  Azubuike  19  Azubuike  7  Garrett Ferrell Center (10,627)
Waco, TX
February 24, 2020
8:00 pm, ESPN
No. 1 Oklahoma StateW 83–58 25–3
(14–1)
 19  Azubuike  16  Azubuike  7  Garrett Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)
Lawrence, KS
February 29, 2020
12:30 pm, CBS
No. 1 at Kansas State
Sunflower Showdown
W 62–58 26–3
(15–1)
 25  Dotson  9  Azubuike  3  Garrett Bramlage Coliseum (9,003)
Manhattan, KS
March 4, 2020
7:00 pm, ESPN+
No. 1 TCUW 75–66 27–3
(16–1)
 31  Azubuike  14  Azubuike  5  Garrett Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)
Lawrence, KS
March 7, 2020
1:00 pm, ESPN
No. 1 at Texas TechW 66–62 28–3
(17–1)
 17  Dotson  11  Azubuike  5  Dotson United Supermarkets Arena (15,098)
Lubbock, TX
Big 12 Tournament
March 12, 2020
1:30 pm, TBD
(1) No. 1 vs. (8) Oklahoma State
Quarterfinals
Tournament cancelled after first round due to the COVID-19 pandemic. NCAA Tournament cancelled as well.[6]Sprint Center 
Kansas City, MO
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
All times are in Central Time.

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
( ) = First-place votes
Week
PollPre123456789101112131415161718Final
AP3 (3)5442 (3)2 (4)1 (47)53 (1)3 (2)63 (1)3 (1)3 (1)3 (1)3 (1)1 (62)1 (64)1 (65)1 (63)
Coaches3 (1)3*5 (1)53 (1)31 (25)53 (1)3 (1)733 (1)3331 (30)1 (32)1 (32)1 (29)

*No coaches poll for week 1

References