LAS VEGAS — This Monday, when the AP Top 25 rankings were released, Kansas found itself in a surprising position it hasn’t encountered since 2005: unranked in November.
This situation, however, is expected to be short-lived. The Jayhawks achieved a significant milestone on Wednesday, garnering their best win of the season by defeating No. 17 Tennessee 81-76 in the Players Era Championship’s third-place game. The victory was notable for several reasons: it came without star point guard Darryn Peterson, who has been absent for six consecutive games; the team overcame a 12-point deficit in the second half; and they had to adjust after senior Tre White fouled out with 8:23 left on the clock, trailing 59-56.
“Who would have thought we improved after Tre went out?” exclaimed Kansas coach Bill Self after celebrating their first victory over a top-70 ranked opponent this season.
The Volunteers had just come off a rugged win over Houston, where they won by just three points. Did facing Tennessee so soon after such a taxing game play into the hands of the Jayhawks?
“Absolutely,” Self confirmed to CBS Sports, although he added a note of caution. “But you can look at it in several ways. Playing without Darryn, and in the last two nights we had four players on the court for 35 minutes each. This was a game of grit. It wasn’t about scouting or play calling; it was a matter of going out there and playing the way we know we can.”
Self candidly admitted he was skeptical about his team’s chances given their recent performances without Peterson.
“We arrived here unsure of our potential,” he said. “But now this win should boost our confidence, showing that if we come together as a unit, we can thrive.”
In addition to the victory, Kansas players benefited financially as well, earning $300,000 in NIL opportunities, while Tennessee secured $200,000.
“I actually told the team that we’re really playing with house money,” Self said. “They’re playing for the $300,000, but we already have $200,000.”
Regardless of whether Tennessee is ranked in the top 10, 15, or 20, they remain one of the nation’s toughest defensive squads. Kansas’s ability to secure a win against a strong team like Tennessee is a testament to Self’s coaching and the resilience of his squad. “Without Darryn, this victory means more to me than any recent win I can recall,” he added significantly.
This impressive victory has not been commonplace for the Kansas program in recent years, and standout performances, such as Elmarko Jackson contributing 17 points and Melvin Council Jr. matching that score, proved vital. The Jayhawks also benefited from limiting potential All-American Ja’Kobi Gillespie to just 11 points on 5-of-19 shooting.
Now, the focus shifts to Peterson’s potential return. The team hopes it will be soon, as they have a crucial game against UConn in six days.
“He’s putting in a lot of work,” Self noted to CBS Sports. Kansas has arranged gym access for Peterson, allowing him to practice daily in Vegas. “He looks great, but until he feels ready, we’re in limbo,” he cautioned.
Peterson is set for another evaluation on Friday, and Self expressed a desire to see him take part in at least one practice before his next game, mentioning there’s a chance Peterson might sit out against UConn depending on how he feels.
Iowa State Shows Top-10 Potential Even Without Key Player
Iowa State has voiced some frustration over the Players Era Championship format, feeling they should have been better recognized for their performance.
Despite finishing 2-0 against St. John’s and Creighton, winning by a total of 19 points, Iowa State did not qualify for the top four, which led to them facing Syracuse at 10 a.m. local time in the day’s first game—without any additional NIL earnings at stake.
The Cyclones played with palpable grit, overpowering Syracuse with a score of 95-64. Out of the 18 teams participating in this year’s Players Era Championship, Iowa State emerged with a 3-0 record, currently ranked No. 15 but poised to break into the top 10 in the upcoming AP rankings.
This successful stretch became even more impressive as they won both their games without starting point guard Tamin Lipsey, who is nursing a groin injury. Coach T.J. Otzelberger stated they’ll take every precaution as they approach their next matchup against Alcorn State, slated for December 3, especially with a high-stakes game against No. 1 Purdue on the horizon.
When asked if Lipsey would have played in a do-or-die situation like the NCAA Tournament, Otzelberger opted for caution, indicating that player safety is paramount.
Despite missing out on facing prestigious teams like Tennessee, Kansas, and Gonzaga, Otzelberger maintained a positive outlook, focusing on the opportunity at hand. “Our guys approached today with the proper mindset, and that is what truly matters,” he reflected.
Iowa State looks set to be a formidable contender in the Big 12 with Joshua Jefferson stepping up impressively. He averaged 16.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists over the past three days. Freshman Killyan Toure also proved crucial in Lipsey’s absence, contributing significantly with 49 points on 15-of-24 shooting in the recent games.
Toure commented, “I just played my game and focused on winning. At the end of the day, the win is what matters most,” emphasizing the team’s identity showcased during this tournament.
As Iowa State prepares for their next challenge at Mackey Arena in just ten days, they will look to maintain the momentum they have built so far this season.
Sampson Aims for Growth in November
Kelvin Sampson’s Cougars leave Las Vegas with a 2-1 record, having triumphed over Syracuse but facing a tough loss against Tennessee before overpowering Notre Dame 66-56. Houston opened the game strong with a 26-4 lead, although Notre Dame fought back to narrow it to a four-point deficit in the second half.
Coach Micah Shrewsberry humorously remarked he might petition to never face Houston again after enduring a second consecutive encounter with them during the Players Era.
Currently, Houston holds a 7-1 record and has a much-needed break before their upcoming game against Florida State on December 6. Given the youthful roster filled with freshmen, including Kingston Flemings, who had a standout game against Tennessee but struggled against Notre Dame, Sampson expressed that patience is vital as they continue to learn and develop.
“People are seeing our struggles right now, but we’d rather experience them now than later,” Sampson noted. “While some teams peak in November, we’re aiming for growth.”
After the challenging loss to Tennessee, Houston was forced to wait until 9 p.m. local time to learn their next opponent. Sampson emphasized that the disappointment from not playing better weighed more heavily than the time crunch in preparing for a new opponent.
“The focus should always remain on improvement, not just the outcome,” he stated, highlighting the long-term goals for the team.
It’s worth noting that last year’s Cougars started off with a 4-3 record and then went on an impressive run, finishing 31-2 and reaching the national title game. With a roster set on growth and development, they can aim for similar heights but will need time and determination.
2025 Players Era Results
Wednesday’s scores and schedule
| No. 15 Iowa State 95, Syracuse 64 | Recap |
| No. 3 Houston 66, Notre Dame 56 | Recap |
| Third-place: Kansas 81, No. 17 Tennessee 76 | Recap |
| No. 21 Auburn 85, No. 14 St. John’s 74 | Recap |
| Championship: No. 7 Michigan 101, No. 13 Gonzaga 61 | Recap |
| Baylor vs. San Diego State | 10:30 p.m. at Michelob Ultra Arena |
| Maryland vs. No. 8 Alabama | 12 a.m. at Grand Garden Arena |
Thursday’s schedule
| Oregon vs. Creighton | 2 p.m. at Michelob Ultra Arena |
| UNLV vs. Rutgers | 4:30 p.m. at Michelob Ultra Arena |
Monday’s scores
| No. 17 Tennessee 85, Rutgers 60 | Recap |
| Baylor 81, Creighton 74 | Recap |
| Kansas 71, Notre Dame 61 | Recap |
| No. 15 Iowa State 83, No. 14 St. John’s 82 | Recap |
| No. 3 Houston 78, Syracuse 74 (OT) | Recap |
| No. 21 Auburn 84, Oregon 73 | Recap |
| No. 12 Gonzaga 95, No. 8 Alabama 85 | Recap |
| No. 7 Michigan 94, San Diego State 54 | Recap |
| Maryland 74, UNLV 67 | Recap |
Tuesday’s scores
| Notre Dame 68, Rutgers 63 | Recap |
| No. 15 Iowa State 78, Creighton 60 | Recap |
| Kansas 71, Syracuse 60 | Recap |
| No. 14 St. John’s 96, Baylor 81 | Recap |
| No. 17 Tennessee 76, No. 3 Houston 73 | Recap |
| No. 7 Michigan 102, No. 21 Auburn 72 | Recap |
| No. 13 Gonzaga 100, Maryland 61 | Recap |
| San Diego State 97, Oregon 80 | Recap |
| No. 8 Alabama 115, UNLV 76 | Recap |
This article will continue to evolve as new results emerge from the Players Era Championship.
