Kansas forward KJ Adams (24) celebrates a dunk against Iowa State during the first half on Friday, March 10, 2023 at T Mobile Center in Kansas City. Photo by Nick Krug

The Kansas men’s basketball team will begin its national title defense as a No. 1 seed. That much was known well before the official announcement on Sunday.

What was unknown until Sunday, however, was where the Jayhawks would land in the bracket.

Instead of going to the Midwest region, which runs through Kansas City, Missouri, in the third and fourth rounds, Kansas was sent out west, which will hold its regional semifinals and final in Las Vegas.

Top-seeded Kansas (27-7) will open the tournament at 1 p.m. Thursday at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines against No. 16 seed Howard (22-12). The game will be televised on TBS.

The Jayhawks’ reaction to being sent to the desert was mixed, as they juggled the excitement of being a No. 1 seed one year after winning it all with the disappointment of not getting to play close to home.

“I’m just shocked that we didn’t get the second overall seed,” said sophomore forward KJ Adams of the top seed in the Midwest which went to Houston. “It happens sometimes. I’m just excited that we get to play again. We had a tough loss (Saturday) night, but now we’re ready to bounce back and have a good game.”

Added junior guard Dajuan Harris Jr.: “I’m just happy that we get to still be able to play. I know we didn’t get the Midwest region, but we’ve got a great fan base. Hopefully they get to travel where we are. We just have to get ready for Howard.”

Kansas assistant Norm Roberts, who led the Jayhawks through the Big 12 tournament while Bill Self was hospitalized for a standard heart procedure, offered up the following take for a bit of perspective on the Jayhawks’ path forward.

“At Kansas, we are not going to be upset about being a 1 seed in whatever region that is,” Roberts said after the bracket was revealed Sunday. “So, we’re very happy where we’re at and now we got to focus in and play.”

Roberts’ appearance at Sunday’s press conference was likely his last as the acting head coach of the Jayhawks. Self was released from the University of Kansas Health System earlier in the day and the plan was for him to rejoin the team on Monday.

In fact, Roberts said he talked to the Jayhawks early in the day on Sunday and was “getting stuff (on Howard) right now as we speak.”

On the selection show, NCAA Selection Committee chairman Chris Reynolds was asked about putting Houston in the Mid-west over Kansas and he said the uncertainty surrounding Self played a factor in the decision.

He also noted that Houston’s 15-2 record in Quad 1 and 2 games compared to KU’s 21-7 record in those games played a role along with the fact that many of KU’s losses were all by a significant margin.

“I don’t know their reasoning behind it,” Roberts said. “But you’re going to have a tough haul no matter what region you’re in. … That’s a tough deal for the committee. It’s never easy. (Not everyone’s) ever going to be happy.”

Self did not watch Sunday’s selection show with the team, but he did talk to the players beforehand. Specifically, he spoke with the veterans on the team, who played some kind of role in last year’s run to the national title.

Adams said Self reemphasized the fact that the Jayhawks have a chance to do something special by becoming the first team to repeat as national champions since Florida in 2007. And Roberts said the theme of the day for the coaches, players and everyone else associated with the program was fixed on two things — being grateful for the opportunity and finding a way to lock in from this point forward.

“It’s always an exciting time of the year,” Roberts said. “Our guys were really happy being the No. 1 seed. That’s an unbelievable accomplishment. Coach (Self) talked to our guys earlier today and said if that happens for us that means you’re one of the teams that has a chance to cut down nets.”

The Jayhawks’ latest 1 seed marks the 10th time in 19 tourna-ments under Self that the program has earned a No. 1 seed. KU also has extended its NCAA-record consecutive tourna-ment streak to 33 tournaments in a row.

“Obviously, we would’ve liked to have played in Kansas City, if that was the opportunity. But we’re a long way from that,” Roberts said. “This is a new season. It’s one-and-done time, and you’ve got to lock in and everybody’s got to give 5-10% more in their focus, their energy and just understanding what we need to do to win.”