Over the final few games of the regular season, Kansas head coach Bill Self encountered some unexpected issues with his lineup. Along with a lack of bench production, Jayhawks power forward Bryson Tiller and Self reached somewhat of an impasse, as the redshirt freshman has been playing his worst basketball of the season.

The Jayhawks experimented with some lineup changes in the Big 12 Tournament, though they were ultimately eliminated in the semifinals by Houston, where Tiller did not play a minute in the second half. Self has some big decisions to make regarding his rotation ahead of the tournament.

Is it time for a starting lineup change to replace the struggling Tiller, or should KU stick with its group? Here’s how the rotation should shake out in March.

Starting Five Stays the Same Despite Rocky Stretch

G Melvin Council Jr.
G Darryn Peterson
G Tre White
F Bryson Tiller
C Flory Bidunga

There is no doubt that Tiller needs to be better moving forward, as he has averaged just 5.1 points and 5.4 rebounds on 36.1% shooting over his past seven games. But is changing the starting lineup right as postseason play begins really the answer?

KU has thrived with the double-big lineup at times, as it helps compensate for Flory Bidunga’s lack of height down low. It improves the team on the boards and provides more of an interior presence defensively.

Small-ball lineups with Tre White at the four have had some success, but not enough to justify a full-time shift. Adding another guard to space the floor doesn’t solve much when there is only one or two consistent 3-point threats on most nights.

Tiller has still shown enough this season to warrant a start, at least in the first-round matchup. If Self decides to open a second half with Elmarko Jackson alongside the starters, that is a different conversation to be had, but no drastic moves should be made unless the circumstances are dire.

Top Bench Options: Elmarko Jackson, Jamari McDowell and… Kohl Rosario?

The bench is where things get tricky. KU’s second unit ranks in the bottom 15 nationally in bench points per game, highlighting just how starter-heavy this team has been.

Jackson is the clear sixth man, while McDowell has carved out a role thanks to his perimeter shooting. The question is whether Self is willing to expand the rotation to eight players in the tournament.

It might sound unconventional, but Kohl Rosario deserves a handful of meaningful minutes in the Big Dance. After beginning the season in the starting lineup, the Miami native was gradually phased out of the rotation due to shooting struggles.

Still, he brings value with his athleticism and activity on the offensive glass. In the 22-point loss to Houston — a game with few positives — Rosario was one of the lone bright spots, scoring eight points in a short stretch while knocking down both of his 3-point attempts and grabbing four rebounds.

Self has said in the past that Jayden Dawson would win the team a tournament game, but that feels increasingly difficult to believe right now. The Loyola Chicago transfer’s shooting percentage has dropped to 31.5% on the year, and he hasn’t made more than one field goal in a game since mid-November.

If Self looks to adjust the rotation just a bit, giving Rosario a chance could be a bold but necessary move. Opponents will at least respect his perimeter shot, and the defensive energy he brings could help swing the momentum of a game in KU’s favor.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department is currently investigating a fire that occurred at Wyandotte County Lake. 

Just after 5p.m. Wednesday, a witness reported hearing a loud boom and observed a white male, approximately 6-foot-1 inches tall with blond hair, wearing a long-sleeve black shirt with Saint Patrick’s-themed decorations and blue jeans, running from the area, according to a media release from Kansas City, Kansas Police. 

Shortly after, a brush fire ignited. KCKPD officers, Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Deputies, and KCK Fire Department personnel responded to the scene. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire. A small incendiary device was located at the scene. No injuries were reported.

This incident is under investigation by the KCKPD EOD unit. Anyone with information on this case is urged to call the Crime Stoppers TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KCTV) – More than $2.3 million in victim assistance grants is now available for Kansas organizations that serve crime victims, Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach announced Wednesday.

Six state grant programs administered through the Office of the Attorney General are open for application. The funding supports nonprofits and government agencies statewide that provide direct services to crime victims, including domestic violence shelters, sexual assault agencies, child advocacy centers, child exchange and visitation centers, and organizations serving human trafficking victims.

Friends of Yates, a 24/7 domestic violence shelter in Kansas City, Kansas, operates between 35 and 40 beds and says it runs at capacity as much as 80 to 90 percent of the year.

Executive Director Dr. Desmond Lamb said demand is not declining.

“We’re seeing kind of an uptake in domestic violent homicide, which is unfortunate,” Lamb said. “Domestic violence is definitely on the rise.”

Lamb said the shelter provides three meals a day, transportation to medical appointments, school transportation for children, and economic and family advocacy services to residents.

“We use every penny to provide direct services and trauma-informed care to those who we serve,” Lamb said.

Lamb said the shelter has historically received funding through the attorney general’s grant programs since the programs began more than 20 years ago. He said grant dollars help cover utilities, insurance, food, and overall shelter operations.

“Many times resources are not as prevalent and practical in marginalized communities as they are in other, more affluent communities,” Lamb said. “So when these resources become available, it is definitely an appreciated and a needed help.”

Kristen Czugala, Division Chief of Victim Services at the Kansas Attorney General’s Office, said the funding is drawn from district court fines and fees, as well as a portion of marriage license fees, along with some state general funds.

“This funding is really vital to our local programs,” Czugala said. “These awards are used to help support the agencies that are doing the hard work in the field, supporting victims of crime, helping them feel believed and supported and to be safe in our communities.”

The attorney general’s office typically awards approximately 100 individual grants to about 50 organizations each year across the six funding streams. The six programs open for application are:

• Child Exchange and Visitation Center Program (CEVC) — Provides supervised child exchange and visitation to children and families at risk due to domestic or family violence.
• Human Trafficking Victim Assistance Fund (HTVAF) — Established by the Legislature in 2013, supports training for law enforcement and services for human trafficking victims and victims of commercial sexual exploitation of a child.
• Child Abuse and Neglect Fund (CVAF-CA) — Supports ongoing operating expenses of programs assisting child victims.
• Crime Victims Assistance Fund (CVAF) — Supports ongoing operating expenses of programs assisting crime victims and helps establish and maintain new victim services programs.
• State Protection from Abuse Fund (PFA) — Provides temporary emergency shelter for adult victims of domestic violence or sexual assault and their dependent children, along with counseling and educational services.
• Child Advocacy Center Fund (CAC) — Supports ongoing operating expenses of child advocacy centers.

The first step of the application process is due April 10, 2026. Applications are submitted through the Grant Management System on the attorney general’s website at ag.ks.gov/divisions/victim-services/grant-programs. Awards are expected to be announced this summer.

Lamb said Friends of Yates plans to reapply.

“We keep our fingers crossed and we pray,” Lamb said. “And most generally, we get that phone call that puts a smile on our face.”

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