KU is unlikely to play NCAA Tournament games in Wichita. Expect these teams instead
The last time Wichita hosted the NCAA Tournament, everyone knew well in advance which team would headline a weekend of entertaining men’s basketball games inside Intrust Bank Arena.
Kansas was on track for a No. 1 seed all season back in 2018, which meant the Jayhawks got to stay close to home for the opening rounds of March Madness.
Things might not be so simple as the NCAA Tournament returns to Wichita next month. Kansas (19-9, 10-7 Big 12) is not playing well enough to project as a top-4 seed, which is the only realistic way it could remain in-state for the postseason. K-State (13-14, 7-9 Big 12) is not in the mix for an at-large berth. And Wichita State (17-10, 7-7 AAC) is not eligible to play in its home city as the host school.
It seems unlikely that any “local” teams will take the floor in downtown Wichita come March.
Which teams should we expect instead?
You can likely look south for the answer. Most experts project Houston and Texas A&M as the top-seeded teams in the Wichita sub-regional.
The selection committee tries to reward top-4 seeds by keeping them close to home and sending them to the nearest NCAA Tournament site in the first and second rounds. But the best seeds get dibs. Once a site is claimed, every other team is out of luck.
The Cougars are on track to be a No. 1 or No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, which means they are virtually a lock to play in Wichita. The Aggies are projected as a No. 2 or No. 3 seed, which puts them next in line.
This year, Wichita is the closest NCAA Tournament site for teams in the Lone Star State.
One expert projection has Texas Tech heading to Wichita instead of Texas A&M. But the vast majority of models are expecting Houston and Texas A&M.
The Cougars played in Wichita seven years ago as a No. 6 seed and lost in the second round to Michigan. If they keep winning, they can plan on a return trip and hope for better results this time around.
Houston has already clinched its second consecutive Big 12 championship under coach Kelvin Sampson.
Texas A&M has already won 20 games and has a winning record in the rugged SEC under the guidance of coach Buzz Williams.
It seems like Texas Tech is the top challenger for Texas A&M when it comes to a spot in Wichita, though Denver isn’t much farther away for the Red Raiders.
Other teams to keep an eye on include Missouri, Creighton and maybe Kansas if the Jayhawks can build on their two-game winning streak. But they have serious ground to make up.
That battle is only for the top seed in one of the bracket pods.
The six other teams that will appear in Wichita could come from anywhere, as evidenced by the latest projections.
Expert projections for the Wichita sub-regional
ESPN: No. 2 Houston vs. No. 15 Montana, No. 7 Mississippi State vs. No. 10 San Diego State, No. 3 Texas A&M vs. No. 14 Towson, No. 6 UCLA vs. No. 11 Arkansas or No. 11 Wake Forest
CBS: No. 2 Houston vs. No. 15 Central Connecticut State, No. 7 UCLA vs. No. 10 BYU, No. 2 Texas A&M vs. No. 15 Montana, No. 7 Maryland vs. No. 10 San Diego State
USA Today: No. 2 Houston vs. No. 15 Robert Morris, No. 7 Ole Miss vs. No. 10 Gonzaga, No. 3 Texas A&M vs. No. 14 Chattanooga, No. 6 Louisville vs. No. 11 Arkansas
SB Nation: No. 2 Texas Tech vs. No. 15 Montana, No. 7 UCLA vs. No. 10 Texas, No. 1 Houston vs. No. 16 Southeast Missouri State, No. 8 BYU vs. No. 9 New Mexico.
This story was originally published February 26, 2025 at 7:00 AM with the headline "KU is unlikely to play NCAA Tournament games in Wichita. Expect these teams instead."