Kansas basketball: 5 best seasons in Jayhawks history, ranked

2. 1951-52 Kansas basketball season

Final Record: 28-3 | Season Result: National Champions (Def. St. John’s)

Whenever you look at college basketball teams from a bygone era, it can be a bit difficult to figure out where they stand in relation to other teams, especially when you’re comparing specific teams from the same program. However, the fact that the 1951-52 Jayhawks were able to win the National Championship and were dominant in their plight to do so puts them at No. 2 on this list.

In Phog Allen’s 36th season with the program, deep into his legendary tenure, the Jayhawks weren’t littered with a host of NBA stars. All told, Kansas only had one future NBA player on the roster. The second most notable name was actually Dean Smith, he of North Carolina Tar Heels coaching fame. However, their one star, Clyde Lovellette, was a dominant force to be reckoned with.

The 6-foot-9 center was a man among boys. While Bob Kenney was second on the Jayhawks in scoring at 13.7 points per game, Lovellette starred with 28.4 points per game, a mark that led the country that season. He also added 12.8 rebounds per game for good measure.

Kansas only lost two games in the regular season and, in an odd scheduling result from the 1950s, actually suffered their third loss after winning the National Championship. Regardless, after escaping by TCU in the NCAA Tournament Regional Semifinal, the Jayhawks beat Saint Louis and Santa Clara by 19 points before topping St. John’s for the title by 17 points. That sort of tournament and regular-season dominance makes them a historically great team.