It’s been nearly 20 months since Bill Self stood on the Mizzou Arena floor, jawing at an official in the second half as his top-ranked Jayhawks watched a rivalry game slip away. The image from Dec 8, 2024; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self talks with an official during the second half against the Missouri Tigers at Mizzou Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images - Self mid-argument, arms extended, face twisted in disbelief - captured more than a single frustrating possession. That moment marked the start of a program-wide reset.
The December 8, 2024 loss to Missouri wasn’t just another rivalry defeat. It was a wake-up call that echoed through the rest of Kansas’ season. After falling 76-67 to the Tigers, the Jayhawks tumbled to No. 7 in the AP Poll. Self didn’t sugarcoat it in the postgame presser, ripping his team’s defense and rebounding with the now-famous line: "We didn't deserve to win."
Hunter Dickinson, in his final collegiate campaign, put up a valiant effort that night - but even his eventual All-Big 12 First Team season (17.8 PPG, 10.1 RPG) couldn't mask the Jayhawks' systemic issues. Kansas limped into the NCAA Tournament as a No. 3 seed before suffering a shocking Round of 32 exit. The sting of Columbia became the fuel for a roster overhaul.
Fast forward to August 2026, and the picture looks decidedly different. Self remains firmly in charge - signed through 2029-30 at a staggering $10.1 million annually, second only to Arkansas' John Calipari. But he's rebuilt the roster around a new identity, one forged in the crucible of that December failure.
📊 [76-67 final score, Dec 8, 2024] - That defeat remains the last time Missouri beat Kansas in the regular season, and it flipped the rivalry's entire psychological dynamic.
The Transfer Portal Answer: Alijah Martin Arrives
The most significant piece of Kansas' 2026-27 puzzle landed in June when 6'9" forward Alijah Martin committed out of Ole Miss. Martin, who averaged 14.2 PPG last season, is expected to slot directly into the starting lineup - exactly the kind of versatile, high-motor frontcourt presence Kansas lacked against Missouri's physical attack in that 2024 loss.
Martin's arrival signals Self's continued commitment to adapting. The Jayhawks' 24-9 record and 14-6 Big 12 mark last season showed progress, but the early NCAA exit proved more work was needed. Martin brings the two-way tenacity that defines modern Kansas basketball - a direct answer to the rebounding deficits that plagued the Jayhawks in Columbia.
| Category | Result |
|---|---|
| Overall Record | 24-9 |
| Big 12 Record | 14-6 |
| Big 12 Tournament | Semifinals Loss |
| NCAA Tournament | No. 3 Seed, Round of 32 Exit |
| Key Addition (2026-27) | F Alijah Martin (14.2 PPG at Ole Miss) |
The roster puzzle is coming together. Martin's ability to stretch the floor and crash the glass gives Self the flexibility to play small or big depending on matchup. That versatility was sorely missing on that frigid December night when Missouri's frontline bullied Kansas on the boards. The Jayhawks lost the rebounding battle 38-31 that game - a margin Self hasn't forgotten.
Missouri's Rise: The Rivalry Is Better When Both Sides Are Elite
While Kansas was licking its wounds, Dennis Gates was building a monster in Columbia. The Tigers' 2025-26 campaign - a 27-8 record and a Sweet 16 appearance - represents the program's best stretch under Gates and has completely shifted the dynamics of this border war.
Missouri no longer views Kansas as an untouchable blue-blood measuring stick. After that December 2024 victory, the Tigers believe they belong on the same court. And the numbers back them up. Gates has injected a defensive intensity and recruiting momentum that makes the annual rivalry feel like a legitimate top-15 showdown rather than a glorified exhibition.
