Deadspin | No. 19 Kansas eager to extend gaudy win streak in opener vs. Green Bay

The No. 19 Kansas Jayhawks are set to kick off their season with an eye on extending their impressive winning streak in home openers, now standing at 53 games dating back to the Ted Owens era. Their first opponent is the Green Bay Phoenix, a team that has never shared a court with Kansas before. The matchup in Lawrence, Kansas, marks the beginning of the season for both squads and features a notable story with Green Bay’s coach Doug Gottlieb leading the visiting team. Gottlieb, who spent his final college years playing at Oklahoma State, has faced the Jayhawks five times, including a tough loss at Allen Fieldhouse in his junior year. Green Bay enters this season looking to improve after a tough 2024-25 campaign where they went 4-28 overall and struggled in the Horizon League with a 2-18 record. Gottlieb, now in his second year as a head coach but with over two decades involved in basketball as a player, analyst, and broadcaster, is eager to turn things around. He emphasizes recruiting players with character, competitiveness, and toughness, noting how physically demanding the Horizon League can be. Despite being picked last in the preseason Horizon League poll, the Phoenix hope to make strides with a more mature and resilient roster. Meanwhile, Kansas is facing a different kind of challenge. After finishing last season with a 21-13 record and an early exit in the NCAA Tournament, the Jayhawks find themselves in unfamiliar territory in the Big 12 preseason coaches' poll, ranked sixth — the lowest in 30 years. However, this doesn’t suggest a lack of talent. Coach Bill Self remains confident in his new team, highlighting their athleticism, size, depth, and shooting ability. Though few players returned from last year, the fresh lineup shows promise, especially with athletes who bring a unique flair and playmaking ability that can’t simply be coached. One of the key figures for Kansas this year is freshman guard Darryn Peterson. Peterson was the 2024 high school Naismith Trophy winner and earned the title of preseason freshman of the year in the conference. He dominated his high school season at Napa Christian High School in California, averaging 30.4 points per game and earning McDonald's All-American honors. His recruitment was considered a coup, as he was ranked the No. 1 recruit nationally by major scouting services. His arrival adds a significant boost to Kansas' already talented roster, signaling potential high-impact performances this season. Both teams enter this opener with different mindsets and goals. Kansas aims to keep their long home opener winning streak alive and demonstrate the strength of their revamped squad. Green Bay, meanwhile, looks to build confidence and show progress under Gottlieb’s leadership. The game sets the tone for what should be an exciting season in college basketball, especially with Kansas seeking to rebound from last year and Green Bay hoping to defy expectations.