Kansas basketball: Big 12 champion could be decided in season finale

Kansas basketball

In one of Bill Self’s most legendary coaching performances up to date, Kansas overcame a 17-point deficit by outscoring the Baylor Bears 55-26 in the second half. KU eventually won by a score of 87-71.

It was an unbelievable showing from a Jayhawks team that started the game extremely sluggish. They started their comeback with a 34-9 run fueled by the Allen Fieldhouse crowd and Dajuan Harris, who scored all 14 of his points in this ten-minute span.

Perhaps the Sunflower jerseys gave them some second-half magic. It was just the second time in program history that they were put on display, the debut coming last season in the Sunflower Showdown versus Kansas State. They remain undefeated when playing with these uniforms.

The Jayhawks eventually took a comfortable lead towards the latter stages of the game to cruise to a victory. Despite a lack of three-point shooting, including seven misses from Gradey Dick, Kansas was still able to put points on the board.

Jalen Wilson and KJ Adams combined to sink 16 free throws, the two being KU’s leading scorers in the contest. Wilson had a tough shooting night, but Adams was a difference-maker all game for the Jayhawks.

No matter how many times a team led by Bill Self makes an unbelievable comeback, they become harder to believe every time. Wins like these are the ones only championship contenders can complete

It was not just an electric atmosphere and outcome, as Kansas moved ahead of Baylor in the Big 12 standings. If not for an overtime win for the Texas Longhorns, KU could have been the outright No. 1 seed.

With four games remaining in conference play, Kansas must take care of business for the rest of the regular season. They play a tough road game versus No. 22 TCU tomorrow night before consecutive home games versus West Virginia and Texas Tech, who are at the bottom of the Big 12. Their final game of the season is versus the Longhorns in Austin.

Considering both schools are 10-4 in conference games, there is a good chance that the final game of the season determines the Big 12 regular season champions. Winning the Big 12 and defeating Texas on the road could make KU a near lock for a No. 1 seed come Selection Sunday.

A road game against one of the best teams in the country is a daunting task. However, the Jayhawks are making a case right now to be the best team in college basketball. Their guard and wing talent rival any school in the country, and the Jayhawks team has finally cemented into an elite squad.