After a turbulent week atop the Big 12 and national standings, the Kansas Jayhawks will soon learn where they stand when the updated AP Poll is released Monday.
KU went 1–1 on the week, highlighted by a massive Monday night victory over then-undefeated No. 1 Arizona without Darryn Peterson. However, the Jayhawks followed that up Saturday with their fourth straight loss at Iowa State inside Hilton Coliseum in a game that was never particularly competitive.
Not only did Kansas have a busy week, but the national landscape was equally volatile, as AP top ten teams suffered seven losses. With that kind of shakeup, the new rankings are sure to ruffle some feathers, just hopefully not the Jayhawks’.
Let’s take a look at the most likely spots KU might land in the updated poll...
By examining the current rankings and this past week’s results, we can project Kansas’s floor and ceiling for the week.
Ceiling - Ranked No. 7
Had the Jayhawks beaten Iowa State, they likely would have moved into the top four, but the outcome tells the story. Despite the road loss to the Cyclones, Kansas still has a legitimate chance to rise this week after defeating No. 1 Arizona.
No. 7 Nebraska (22–3) and No. 8 Illinois (21–5) both uncharacteristically dropped games on their home floor this week, giving KU a chance to leapfrog them after two top-ten matchups.
The AP top six is likely to hold, but the order should look very different.
Floor - Ranked No. 12
Even with the massive victory over Arizona, the loss in Ames could overshadow last Monday’s big win. While nobody truly faults Bill Self's team for dropping a game at Hilton Coliseum, there’s still a chance they could fall further than expected.
Three teams ranked closely behind No. 9 Kansas (19–6) went 2–0 this week and could each overtake them on Monday. No. 12 Gonzaga (25–2), No. 13 Purdue (21–4), and No. 14 Florida (19–6) could push the Jayhawks down as far as twelfth in the updated AP Poll.
Although No. 15 Virginia (22–3) and No. 16 Texas Tech (19–6) should each see a boost in the rankings come Monday, neither should rise to the level where they would surpass KU.
Beyond the teams already discussed, Kansas is unlikely to be overtaken by anyone else in the new poll. Ultimately, KU fans can anticipate the Jayhawks remaining near the top ten, likely ranging from seventh to twelfth.
Will the Jayhawks soar, slip, or stay put when the national rankings are updated Monday?
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