The Kansas Jayhawks started the season as the No. 1 team in the nation and have since dropped out of the top 15 after losing a few games that were supposed to be guaranteed wins. Now, the Jayhawks are set to take on the No. 8 Iowa State Hawkeyes in a game that could determine the result of their conference standings.
Now, this game is far from the last game in Kansas' regular season and a loss to Iowa State doesn't mean that the Jayhawks would be out of the NCAA Tournament or that they couldn't turn their year around and win the Big 12.
However, with very few ranked matchups remaining for the Jayhawks after they play the Cyclones, it is one of Kansas' final chances for a quality quad-one win over a conference opponent.
If No. 16 Kansas loses to No. 8 Iowa State...
With a loss to the Cyclones, the Jayhawks would fall to 6-5 in conference play and a 15-7 overall record. While Kansas would still be far above a losing record, the team has struggled to find consistency in Big 12 matchups.
After the Iowa State matchup, Kansas will only have nine conference games remaining, including ones against the No. 22 Texas Tech Raiders and the No. 6 Houston Cougars.
If No. 16 Kansas defeats No. 8 Iowa State...
With a win over the Cyclones, the Jayhawks would be tied with Iowa State in conference play with both having a 7-4 record in Big 12 games.
Earning the tie in conference standings with the Cyclones would earn Kansas a better leg up when it comes to seeding for the Big 12 tournament, especially since they would have the head-to-head win to make up for their loss to Iowa State earlier in the season.
After Kansas' 11-point loss to Baylor last week, the Jayhawks need a big-time win over a conference opponent to right their ship and get head coach Bill Self out of the dog house a bit.