The Kansas Jayhawks achieved a remarkable victory over the Tennessee Volunteers on Wednesday night, winning 81-76 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. This unexpected triumph could serve as a significant momentum shift for Kansas as they move forward in the 2025 season.
Entering the game as 5.5-point underdogs against a previously undefeated Tennessee team, which had just defeated No. 3 Houston the day before, Kansas showcased their ability to rise to the occasion. The team secured a third-place finish in the Players Era Championship, earning $300,000 in Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) funds, in addition to the $1 million guaranteed NIL compensation received by all participating teams.
Kansas guard Tre White shone during the first half, scoring all 14 of his points without missing a single shot. He went 3-of-3 from the field, including two three-pointers, and converted both of his free throw attempts. However, Flory Bidunga struggled, contributing only four points on 2-of-11 shooting, which left Kansas trailing 41-34 at halftime.
Tennessee extended their lead to as much as 12 points early in the second half. Yet, a surge from the bench, led by the unexpected performance of Elmarko Jackson, turned the tide. Jackson scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half, including a remarkable stretch of 11 consecutive points for the Jayhawks, marking his best performance of the season and establishing this game as Kansas” biggest win thus far.
This victory is the kind of result that can energize the team as they face a challenging non-conference schedule ahead. Upcoming matchups include a home game against No. 5 UConn, a neutral site contest against their rival Missouri, and a road game against No. 23 NC State.
Following the game, head coach Bill Self commended his team for their resilience in overcoming the deficit. The win demonstrated that Kansas can compete with a top 20 team even in the absence of their star player, Darryn Peterson. His injury has opened opportunities for others to step up, proving their capability to shoulder the responsibility. This performance has removed any doubts about their depth.
As the season progresses, the Jayhawks have shown that they will be a formidable opponent once Peterson returns and the team finds its rhythm. They are poised to challenge any team in the nation.
