The Daily Mauling 4.8.26

LAWRENCE, Kan. — The college basketball offseason has become a carousel of transfer-portal headlines, and Kansas finds itself both a winner and a loser in the latest round of musical chairs.

Flory Bidunga, the highly coveted big man who originally pledged to Kansas out of high school, is now ticketed for Texas Tech. 247Sports lists the move as a virtual lock, while Sports Illustrated labels the development “a huge loss for Duke,” the program that finished runner-up in Bidunga’s first recruitment. With front-court depth a documented concern for the Blue Devils, missing on the portal’s top-rated post player stings.

Bidunga’s departure from Lawrence also underscores the roster churn facing Bill Self. Multiple Jayhawks whose seasons ended earlier this month have already signaled their intent to enter the portal, raising the possibility that Self will trot out an entirely new starting five in 2026-27.

The exodus is not limited to the men’s program. Kansas women’s guards Laia Conesa and Keeley Parks are also exploring new destinations. Conesa, a 5-11 junior from Barcelona, started five of 36 games this season and averaged 3.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 20 minutes per night. Parks’ statistical profile was not released, but the combined departures thin an already lean KU backcourt.

Meanwhile, the coaching rumor mill continues to swirl around Northwest Missouri State’s Ben McCollum. CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander notes that McCollum’s recent refusal of the North Carolina job does not preclude a future leap to Kansas should the opportunity arise. A native of Iowa City and a Division II national champion four times over, McCollum has spent virtually his entire career in the Midwest and is viewed by many as a logical successor should the Jayhawks’ hierarchy shift.

With basketball in flux, KU football is inviting fans to an open practice Saturday at Lawrence High School. Construction on Phase II of David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium has displaced the team, so the Jayhawks will run drills from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Gates open at 10 a.m.; admission and parking are free.