Kansas Jayhawks men’s basketball player Elmarko Jackson is rarely mentioned by name on social media.
The redshirt-sophomore guard had struggled in his return to the court this season after missing all of last year with a torn patellar tendon.
It had gotten to the point where some Jayhawks fans, perhaps worried the struggling KU guard could play even worse if he sees his critiques, were referring to him strictly by his jersey number: Thirteen.
It’s hard to see that continuing after his play Wednesday evening in Las Vegas, where Jackson sparked the Jayhawks to an 81-76 comeback victory over No. 17 Tennessee.
With the win, KU (6-2) earned third place in the Players Era tournament and will receive $300,000 in prize money.
Kansas Jayhawks guard Elmarko Jackson, right, helped lead KU to a men’s basketball victory over the Tennessee Volunteers in the Players Era tournament at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. Candice Ward Getty Images
The ending of the game was nothing short of chaotic.
Kansas led 75-72 with 40 seconds left. Big man Flory Bidunga was fouled with 37 seconds remaining and hit both free throws to put the Jayhawks up five, 77-72.
On their next possession, the Vols missed a 3-pointer. Tennessee briefly had the ball after stealing it, but KU guard Jamari McDowell stole it right back with 20 seconds to go. Then Bryson Tiller essentially clinched it with a pair of free throws.
Two guards played major roles in KU’s rally to victory. Jackson and Melvin Council scored 17 points apiece, Jackson adding four rebounds and Council pairing his with six rebounds and four assists.
KU freshman phenom Darryn Peterson and key reserve Jayden Dawson missed the game with injuries. For the second straight game, redshirt-sophomore guard McDowell started in place of Kohl Rosario.
Tennessee led by seven points (41-34) at halftime after the Vols went on a 12-4 run in the last 4:19 of the opening frame. The Jayhawks tied it at 62-all with 7:25 to go.
Up next for KU, the Jayhawks play host to UConn on Tuesday at Allen Fieldhouse.
Until then, here are three takeaways from Wednesday’s game:
Tre White helps KU early
KU guard Tre White has a unique ability.
He’s one of the few KU players who can recognize exactly what the Jayhawks need in each game. Sometimes it’s rebounding, other times it’s facilitating.
Against the Vols, it was scoring.
Candice Ward Getty Images
White is the only reason the Jayhawks trailed by single-digits in the first half. Other than White, KU shot 7-for-28 (25%) from the floor.
White had 14 points … at halftime. He did it mainly by getting to the free-throw line, where he went a perfect 6-for-6. When he had to sit with two fouls, the Vols went on a run and gained some separation.
Kansas Jayhawks guard Bryson Tiller, right, looks to pass against Cade Phillips of the Tennessee Volunteers during a Players Era men’s basketball tournament game at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. Candice Ward Getty Images
White was assessed his fourth foul at around the 16-minute mark of the second half. So Self was forced to sit him for a while.
White re-entered the game with about 10 minutes left. Shortly after, he fouled out: 8:23 remained in the game. He finished with 14 points and six rebounds.
Bidunga struggles all game
After playing two excellent games over the first two days of the Players Era tournament, Bidunga produced a stinker against the Volunteers.
Kansas Jayhawks center Flory Bidunga, left, gets a hand in the face of Tennessee Volunteers counterpart Nate Ament during a Players Era men’s basketball tournament game at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. Candice Ward Getty Images
Tennessee did an excellent job of keeping him away from his spots in the post. And when he did get fed the ball, he faced stout defense on nearly every shot attempt.
At one point, his best option to score was his jump shot — which he doesn’t use often. The result was the worst first half Bidunga has had all season. He scored four points on 2-for-11 shooting from the floor.
It was the most uncomfortable the sophomore big man has looked all season.
The Jayhawks did a better job of feeding him in his spots in the second half. He finished with nine points on 3-for-4 shooting after halftime hit a pair of clutch free throws to clinch the outcome of the game.
Elmarko Jackson and Melvin Council spark comeback
Jackson has to feel good after this one.
He singlehandedly scored 11 straight points and brought the Jayhawks within striking distance in the second half.
Kansas Jayhawks guard Elmarko Jackson, right, helped lead KU to a men’s basketball victory over the Tennessee Volunteers in the Players Era tournament at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. Candice Ward Getty Images
It was the best he’s looked since his freshman season.
Council started to help more after Jackson’s outburst. He had a number of timely buckets that not only put the Jayhawks up, but gave KU some cushion.
The pair combined for 27 points in the second half alone. Both Jayhawks stepped up big-time on Wednesday.
Kansas Jayhawks guard Kohl Rosario, left, puts up a 3-pointer against Tennessee Volunteers guard Ethan Burg during a Players Era men’s basketball tournament game at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. Candice Ward Getty Images
This story was originally published November 26, 2025 at 8:41 PM.
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Shreyas Laddha
The Kansas City Star
Shreyas Laddha covers KU hoops and football for The Star. He’s a Georgia native and graduated from the University of Georgia.
