Kansas Opens Season vs. Fordham Without Key Pair
Trey Kaufman-Renn and Kohl Rosario's availability for Monday's opener against Fordham remains uncertain.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Basketball
Kansas basketball opens its regular season against Fordham on Monday at 7 p.m. CT inside Allen Fieldhouse. Neither Trey Kaufman-Renn nor Kohl Rosario participated in the team's final preseason exhibition against Duke.
Why it matters
Kaufman-Renn is a fifth-year transfer from Purdue, and Rosario is a sophomore guard recovering from a practice concussion, so both absences affect the early-season rotation. Coach Bill Self has declined to confirm availability until open questions are resolved.
Kansas is tied for No. 18 in the coaches poll and opens at 7 p.m. CT. Self wants about 10 players in early-season rotation, though some games may use 11, and the status of two key players remains unconfirmed.
The players
Bill Self
Bill Self is the head men's basketball coach at the University of Kansas, known for leading the Jayhawks through multiple NCAA tournament runs.
Trey Kaufman-Renn
Trey Kaufman-Renn is a fifth-year forward who transferred to Kansas from Purdue and is currently eligible due to an ongoing court case in Indiana.
The details
Self said he will not publicly confirm Kaufman-Renn's availability until unknowns are resolved, and Rosario must pass all concussion-related tests before returning. Self is hopeful Rosario can play by the end of the week and plans to use Kaufman-Renn against Fordham, starting a five-player lineup that will change if needed.
Timeline
Oct. 2026: Kansas plays its final preseason exhibition against Duke.
Oct. 28, 2026: Self speaks to reporters about Kaufman-Renn and Rosario.
Monday, Nov. 2, 2026: Kansas opens the regular season against Fordham at 7 p.m. CT.
End of week of Oct. 28, 2026: Self hopes Rosario can return to play.
Season Trajectory
Kansas enters the season ranked No. 18 in the coaches poll, and the early availability of key rotation players will shape how quickly the team establishes its early-season identity. The eligibility of a Purdue transfer tied to a court case in Indiana adds a legal layer that few programs navigate at the start of a season.
Fantasy and bracket watchers should note that Kansas's early rotation may run about 10 players, and any absence of Kaufman-Renn or Rosario would shift minutes to the bench. Fans planning to attend Monday's 7 p.m. CT game should expect a lineup that may be adjusted based on how the first games develop.
The takeaway
Season openers often hinge on late availability, so following official team updates before tip-off is the most reliable way to know the lineup. Kansas's opening lineup against Fordham will show how quickly the Jayhawks can integrate new and returning players.
What happens next
Kansas opens its regular season against Fordham on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026 at 7 p.m. CT inside Allen Fieldhouse, where the availability of Kaufman-Renn and Rosario will be tested.
Further reading
Explore more Kansas basketball coverage for the latest on the Jayhawks' season.
