Kansas Jayhawks

Kansas arrived at the Players Era tournament with a 3-2 record and a long list of question marks. But after Wednesday's comeback win over No. 17 Tennessee, the Jayhawks leave the desert with three straight wins and renewed optimism about their potential.

— Melvin Council Jr. and Elmarko Jackson each scored 17 points and Kansas defeated previously unbeaten No. 17 Tennessee 81-76 in the third-place game of the Players Era Championship on Wednesday night.

From the Players Era in Las Vegas to a showcase in New York City, here's what we're watching Thanksgiving week.

After promising to stick to the current format, Players Era Festival CEO Seth Berger told ESPN that the event will consider a new one when next year's field expands to 32 teams.

We have a HUGE weekend ahead of us! Ole Miss is fighting for a playoff spot while their coach flirts with LSU and Florida, Ohio State trying to beat Michigan for the first time since 2019, Texas A&M has to beat Texas to go undefeated in the regular season for the first time since 1992, Miami has to win AT Pittsburgh in 35 degree weather to TRY and make the CFP, Oregon must win at Washington to stay alive in the CFP and Alabama must win at Auburn to keep their CFP hopes alive. McElroy goes through every big game and gives you the questions that will determine all the big games. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

— Tre White had 15 points and 10 rebounds, Flory Bidunga added 13 points and 14 boards, and Kansas beat Syracuse 71-60 on Tuesday at the Players Era tournament.

The headlines might not be screaming about them, but we're noticing the Blue Devils' 1-seed-worthy résumé.

Myron Medcalf provides an injury update on Kansas guard Darryn Peterson.

Darryn Peterson, ESPN's projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA draft, is inching toward his return from injury, Kansas coach Bill Self said after the Jayhawks' 69-59 win over Notre Dame at the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas.

A three-day stretch of Las Vegas matchups became more challenging for Syracuse on Monday, when the Orange announced star freshman Donnie Freeman will miss at least a week because of a lower-body injury.