Just two years ago, the Kansas women’s basketball team was picked to finish last in the Big 12 Conference in the league’s preseason poll.
After qualifying for the NCAA Tournament in 2022 and then winning the Women’s National Invitation Tournament in 2023, head coach Brandon Schneider’s squad is facing significantly higher expectations.
In a preseason poll of conference coaches released Thursday, KU slotted in at No. 3 overall, behind just Texas and Baylor and one spot ahead of Kansas State. That is the first time the Jayhawks have placed in the top three in such a poll since 2009.
Finishing in such a high position would require another step forward for the Jayhawks, who only went 9-9 in conference play last season. They have the returning talent to make that leap, with starters Zakiyah Franklin, Taiyanna Jackson, Holly Kersgieter and Wyvette Mayberry coming back from the WNIT-winning squad and joining highly touted freshmen Laia Conesa and five-star S’Mya Nichols. Transfers Ryan Cobbins and Skyler Gill, both Kansas natives, provide unique skill sets of their own.
Jackson was picked unanimously to the preseason all-conference team Wednesday, and Franklin joined her as one of the selections, with Kersgieter earning an honorable mention.
The conference consists of 14 teams this year, and the four new additions to the Big 12, BYU, Houston, Cincinnati and UCF, were picked as the bottom four teams in the poll (UCF in last). The rest of the poll, counted up from No. 10, consists of Texas Tech, TCU, West Virginia, Oklahoma State, Iowa State and Oklahoma.
KU finished seventh last season. The six teams above it all made the tournament.
The team will make its unofficial debut at Late Night in the Phog on Friday.
Photo courtesy of Kansas Athletics
