As if Kentucky's stunning NCAA Tournament loss to Saint Peter's wasn't painful enough for Big Blue Nation, the squad took another loss Friday. Kansas earned its 2,354th win after topping Providence in the Sweet 16, passing Kentucky's total of 2,353 to become the winningest college basketball program ever.
Kentucky, which had "winningest program in college bball" written in its official Twitter bio before Kansas' win, removed the words by the end of the night. Jayhawks fans were quick to point out the change.
— No Context Kansas Basketball (@NoContextKUBB) March 26, 2022
The Wildcats entered the 2022 NCAA Tournament with a two-win lead over Kansas, but their shocking first-round loss to No. 15 seed Saint Peter's – a team that has since become the highest seed ever to reach the Elite Eight – prevented them from growing the advantage. With wins over Texas Southern, Creighton and Providence, Kansas took control of the No. 1 spot.
Kansas has been college basketball's winningest program before, but Kentucky nabbed the title during its national championship run in 1995-96 and successfully defended it for 26 years. But while Kentucky now trails Kansas on the all-time wins list, the Wildcats still have more national championships (8-3), Final Four appearances (17-15), NCAA Tournament wins (129-111), head-to-head wins (24-10) and a better win percentage (.765-.728).
After Kansas' 66-61 win over Providence, Jayhawks coach Bill Self downplayed his team's new record.
"I'll be real candid with you, all that means to me is that we beat Providence," said Self, who later admitted it could provide a recruiting advantage. "That's all that means to me."
Regardless of its importance to Self, Kansas can extend its lead on the all-time wins list when it plays Miami in the Elite Eight. The matchup is set for Sunday, 2:20 p.m ET on CBS and can be streamed on fuboTV (try free).
