The Big Domino Falls: Keanu Dawes Commits to KU
The Jayhawks land their first major portal piece to address physicality and rebounding.
After a quiet start to the transfer window, Kansas basketball officially landed its first commitment: Keanu Dawes, a 6’9” forward from Utah. Daw averaged 12.8 points and 8.8 rebounds last season, ranking 12th nationally in defensive rebounding.
The hosts emphasize that Dawes addresses KU’s biggest weakness from the 2025-26 season: physicality on the glass. While his three-point shooting (32%) is respectable, his efficiency inside the arc (68%) and his “high-floor” veteran presence make him an immediate plug-and-play starter at the four-spot.
The Rivalry Sting: Bryson Tiller to Missouri
A former Jayhawk heads to the “other side” of the Border War.
The most controversial news of the week is Bryson Tiller’s commitment to the Missouri Tigers. Despite Tiller’s high NBA upside, his tenure at KU was marked by a “gentle giant” reputation and a late-season rift with the coaching staff.
The Reaction: Springer expresses pure “historical hate” for the move, while Laddha looks through a professional lens, noting that Missouri’s NIL donors likely “ponied up” to stick it to their rivals.
The Matchup: The hosts look forward to the inevitable T-Mobile Center matchup where Tiller is expected to receive a “raucous” reception from the Jayhawk faithful.
Roster Watch: Tyron Stokes and Paul Ebua
Looking ahead to the next wave of roster building.
The Jayhawks aren’t done yet. With nearly 6–8 roster spots still to fill, the focus shifts to two key names:
Tyron Stokes: The #1 player in the 2026 class recently visited Kentucky, but reports suggest it “did not go well.” Kansas appears to be the frontrunner, with the staff moving as if they expect him on campus.
Paul Ebua: Despite portal rumors, it looks increasingly likely that Ebua will return to KU. Laddha reports that Ebua has “fallen in love with Kansas,” and his return would provide much-needed continuity and rim protection.