Kansas women's basketball head coach Brandon Schneider is optimistic about his team's potential as they prepare for the upcoming season. The Jayhawks, who have not made the NCAA Tournament in the last two years, are focused on solidifying a strong postseason resume through their schedule this year.
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Junior forward Regan Williams stated that making the NCAA Tournament is the primary goal for the team. The schedule includes early buy games followed by significant matchups against teams like Nebraska, Minnesota, and South Dakota State, all of which competed in the tournament last season. Schneider emphasized the importance of scheduling in relation to the team's roster, highlighting that returning six players, including key contributors like sophomore Jaliya Davis and senior guard S’Mya Nichols, sets them up well for success.
The last time Kansas reached the tournament at the end of the 2023-24 season, they faced a challenging nonconference schedule with matchups against top-10 teams. While the upcoming schedule may not match that level, Schneider believes it can still position the team favorably, stating, "If we have a good nonconference, to hopefully have the kind of NET that we want going into league play." The NET is the rating system the NCAA uses in postseason selections. Last season, Kansas finished at No. 50 in the NET after advancing to the semifinals of the Women's Basketball Invitational Tournament (WBIT).
In terms of travel plans, the Jayhawks are participating in the Cancun Challenge over Thanksgiving, where they will compete against Washington State and Miami (Ohio). Schneider noted that while many programs are cutting international trips due to costs, they aim to continue participating in these events because of the quality competition and the educational experiences they provide for the players.
Offseason foreign tours are now allowed annually, a change from the previous four-year limit. Kansas last traveled internationally in 2023.