Check out the best moments from Kansas vs St. John’s in March Madness
Mar 22, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; St. John’s Red Storm forward Zuby Ejiofor (24) and forward Rubén Prey (17) and Kansas Jayhawks forward Bryson Tiller (15) and guard Tre White (3) battle for a rebound in the first half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Check out the best moments from Kansas vs St. John’s in March Madness
Mar 22, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; St. John’s Red Storm forward Zuby Ejiofor (24) and forward Rubén Prey (17) and Kansas Jayhawks forward Bryson Tiller (15) and guard Tre White (3) battle for a rebound in the first half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Check out the best moments from Kansas vs St. John’s in March Madness
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 22: Darryn Peterson #22 of the Kansas Jayhawks shoots a free throw against the St. John’s Red Storm during the first half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on March 22, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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Check out the best moments from Kansas vs St. John’s in March Madness
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 22: Darryn Peterson #22 of the Kansas Jayhawks looks on during the first half against the St. John’s Red Storm in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on March 22, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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Check out the best moments from Kansas vs St. John’s in March Madness
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 22: Darryn Peterson #22 of the Kansas Jayhawks shoots a free throw against the St. John’s Red Storm during the first half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on March 22, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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Check out the best moments from Kansas vs St. John’s in March Madness
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 22: Head coach Rick Pitino of the St. John’s Red Storm gestures during the first half against the Kansas Jayhawks in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on March 22, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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Check out the best moments from Kansas vs St. John’s in March Madness
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 22: Bryson Tiller #15 of the Kansas Jayhawks shoots the ball against the St. John’s Red Storm during the first half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on March 22, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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Check out the best moments from Kansas vs St. John’s in March Madness
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 22: Paul Mbiya #34 of the Kansas Jayhawks defends against Rubén Prey #17 of the St. John’s Red Storm during the first half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on March 22, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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Check out the best moments from Kansas vs St. John’s in March Madness
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 22: Darryn Peterson #22 of the Kansas Jayhawks drives to the basket against Dillon Mitchell #1 of the St. John’s Red Storm during the first half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on March 22, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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Check out the best moments from Kansas vs St. John’s in March Madness
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 22: Melvin Council Jr. #14 of the Kansas Jayhawks drives to the basket against Dillon Mitchell #1 of the St. John’s Red Storm during the first half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on March 22, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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Check out the best moments from Kansas vs St. John’s in March Madness
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 22: Zuby Ejiofor #24 of the St. John’s Red Storm defends against Flory Bidunga #40 of the Kansas Jayhawks during the first half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on March 22, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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Check out the best moments from Kansas vs St. John’s in March Madness
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 22: Flory Bidunga #40 of the Kansas Jayhawks dribbles the ball against Zuby Ejiofor #24 and Dylan Darling #0 of the St. John’s Red Storm during the first half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on March 22, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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Check out the best moments from Kansas vs St. John’s in March Madness
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 22: Dylan Darling #0 of the St. John’s Red Storm gets the ball away from Melvin Council Jr. #14 of the Kansas Jayhawks during the first half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on March 22, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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Check out the best moments from Kansas vs St. John’s in March Madness
Mar 22, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Nginyu Ngala (0) grabs a rebound against St. John’s Red Storm forward Dillon Mitchell (1) in the first half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Check out the best moments from Kansas vs St. John’s in March Madness
Mar 22, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; St. John’s Red Storm forward Dillon Mitchell (1) shoots against Kansas Jayhawks forward Bryson Tiller (15) in the first half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Check out the best moments from Kansas vs St. John’s in March Madness
Mar 22, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; St. John’s Red Storm forward Zuby Ejiofor (24) and forward Rubén Prey (17) battle for a rebound against Kansas Jayhawks forward Bryson Tiller (15) and guard Tre White (3) in the first half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Check out the best moments from Kansas vs St. John’s in March Madness
Mar 22, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; St. John’s Red Storm forward Zuby Ejiofor (24) and forward Rubén Prey (17) battle for a rebound against Kansas Jayhawks forward Bryson Tiller (15) and guard Tre White (3) in the first half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Check out the best moments from Kansas vs St. John’s in March Madness
Mar 22, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; St. John’s Red Storm forward Zuby Ejiofor (24) and forward Rubén Prey (17) battle for a rebound against Kansas Jayhawks forward Bryson Tiller (15) and guard Tre White (3) in the first half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Check out the best moments from Kansas vs St. John’s in March Madness
Mar 22, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward Bryson Tiller (15) and St. John’s Red Storm forward Zuby Ejiofor (24) reach for the ball in the first half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Check out the best moments from Kansas vs St. John’s in March Madness
Mar 22, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Melvin Council Jr. (14) shoots against St. John’s Red Storm forward Zuby Ejiofor (24) in the first half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
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Check out the best moments from Kansas vs St. John’s in March Madness
Mar 22, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Melvin Council Jr. (14) controls the ball against the St. John’s Red Storm in the first half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
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Check out the best moments from Kansas vs St. John’s in March Madness
Mar 22, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; St. John’s Red Storm forward Zuby Ejiofor (24) dunks against the Kansas Jayhawks in the first half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Check out the best moments from Kansas vs St. John’s in March Madness
Mar 22, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; St. John’s Red Storm head coach Rick Pitino reacts in the first half against the Kansas Jayhawks during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Check out the best moments from Kansas vs St. John’s in March Madness
Mar 22, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; St. John’s Red Storm head coach Rick Pitino looks on in the first half against the Kansas Jayhawks during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Check out the best moments from Kansas vs St. John’s in March Madness
Mar 22, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas Jayhawks center Paul Mbiya (34) grabs a rebound against St. John’s Red Storm forward Zuby Ejiofor (24) in the first half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Check out the best moments from Kansas vs St. John’s in March Madness
Mar 22, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas Jayhawks center Paul Mbiya (34) grabs a rebound against St. John’s Red Storm forward Zuby Ejiofor (24) in the first half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Check out the best moments from Kansas vs St. John’s in March Madness
Mar 22, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas Jayhawks center Paul Mbiya (34) grabs a rebound against St. John’s Red Storm forward Zuby Ejiofor (24) in the first half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Check out the best moments from Kansas vs St. John’s in March Madness
Mar 22, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson (22) controls the ball against St. John’s Red Storm guard Dylan Darling (0) in the first half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
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Check out the best moments from Kansas vs St. John’s in March Madness
Mar 22, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Elmarko Jackson (13) controls the ball against St. John’s Red Storm guard Oziyah Sellers (4) in the first half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
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Check out the best moments from Kansas vs St. John’s in March Madness
Mar 22, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson (22) controls the ball against St. John’s Red Storm forward Zuby Ejiofor (24) in the first half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
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Check out the best moments from Kansas vs St. John’s in March Madness
Mar 22, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Melvin Council Jr. (14) controls the ball against St. John’s Red Storm forward Rubén Prey (17) in the first half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images
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Check out the best moments from Kansas vs St. John’s in March Madness
Mar 22, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; St. John’s Red Storm forward Dillon Mitchell (1) shoots against Kansas Jayhawks forward Bryson Tiller (15) in the first half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Check out the best moments from Kansas vs St. John’s in March Madness
Mar 22, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; St. John’s Red Storm forward Zuby Ejiofor (24) and Kansas Jayhawks forward Bryson Tiller (15) and guard Tre White (3) battle for a rebound in the first half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Check out the best moments from Kansas vs St. John’s in March Madness
Mar 22, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; St. John’s Red Storm forward Zuby Ejiofor (24) and Kansas Jayhawks forward Bryson Tiller (15) and guard Tre White (3) battle for a rebound in the first half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
SAN DIEGO, California — Kansas basketball’s season is over, after a 67-65 loss in the men’s NCAA tournament on Sunday against St. John’s that ended with a buzzer-beating layup by Red Storm redshirt junior Dylan Darling.
The Jayhawks (24-11) entered as the better seed in this East Region matchup, the No. 4 seed while the Red Storm were the No. 5 seed, but didn’t play well enough to consistently look like it and came up short in a late comeback attempt that saw KU tie the score at 65-65 with less than a minute left. The pressure St. John’s (30-6) used defensively stymied KU early and often, helped the Red Storm overcome their own issues offensively to lead by eight points at halftime — and never give it up after. What’s likely to be KU freshman Darryn Peterson’s last game in college, before turning pro, saw him finish with 21 points.
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RELATED: Kansas basketball vs St. John’s final score: KU eliminated at buzzer
This defeat means Kansas’ stretch of NCAA tournament appearances without a trip to the Sweet 16 extends once again, with that last run to one coming in 2022. Although at times this season KU looked like a team that could put a run like that together, too often it was inconsistent as it also tried to learn how to play with — and without — Peterson. Peterson, a potential top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, dealt with various health issues this season that caused him to miss a sizable amount of games.
KU coach Bill Self has downplayed speculation that this would be his final season in Lawrence, before retirement, but this loss in March Madness could very well lead those outside the program to wonder if he’ll be back. Should he come back, he has a talented recruiting class coming in and the chance to supplement it through the transfer portal. Either way, the offseason begins for the Jayhawks earlier than they would have liked.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 22: Darryn Peterson #22 of the Kansas Jayhawks looks on during the first half against the St. John’s Red Storm in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on March 22, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas basketball’s NCAA tournament run ends with heartbreaking defeat
