Seth Davis predicts Kansas will be upset by Samford in first round of 2024 NCAA Tournament
Kansas has been a consistent national championship contender under coach Bill Self — and for much of the program’s lengthy and storied history — with 10 No. 1 seeds, four Final Fours and two national championships since 2007.
One of the most prominent voices in the college basketball media, however, believes the Jayhawks’ trip to the 2024 NCAA Tournament will be a brief one. As the tournament bracket was unveiled Sunday night, CBS analyst Seth Davis picked Kansas, who earned a No. 4 seed in the 68-team field, to be upset in its first-round matchup against No. 13 seed Samford.
REQUIRED READING;: March Madness bracket 2024: Updates of NCAA Tournament's Selection Sunday
“You mentioned the injuries to Kansas,” Davis said. “They were already not a deep team. Samford is an up-and-down team. They play 10 guys. And the game is in Salt Lake City, where altitude is a factor.”
"I've got McNeese over Gonzaga, and — you ready? SAMFORD takes down KANSAS."@SethDavisHoops offers his takes on the MIDWEST REGION #MarchMadnesspic.twitter.com/xaGF3S0xMD
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 17, 2024
REQUIRED READING: Kansas basketball’s March Madness opponent is Samford to open 2024 NCAA tournament bracket
The Jayhawks played in the Big 12 Tournament last week without injured starters Hunter Dickinson and Kevin McCullar Jr., their top two scorers. With a depleted roster, they were routed by Cincinnati 72-52, their fourth loss in their past five games.
Though at least some of it could be attributed to the strength and depth of the Big 12, Kansas has gone 9-9 in its past 18 games following a 13-1 start. Even with a healthy Dickinson and McCullar, the Jayhawks have only seven players this season averaging at least eight minutes per game.
They will face what could be a challenging matchup in Samford, which went 29-5 and won the Southern Conference regular season and tournament championships. The Bulldogs utilize a frenetic, fast-paced pressing style of play that has been dubbed “Bucky Ball,” named after coach Bucky McMillan. Samford is 14th among 362 Division I teams in adjusted tempo this season, according to KenPom.
Such an early exit would be unusual for Kansas given its recent history. The Jayhawks haven’t lost in the tournament’s first round since 2006, when it was knocked off as a No. 4 seed by Np. 13 seed Bradley.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Seth Davis: Kansas will be upset by Samford in March Madness first round
