The Kansas basketball team firmly sits in third place in the Big 12 conference, riding an eight-game winning streak. The Jayhawks are 9-2 in the conference and 19-5 overall.
With seven games left before postseason play begins, the Jayhawks have a rough schedule ahead of them. They play Iowa State on Saturday and still have games against Houston and Arizona, the two teams ahead of them in the standings.
If KU can win at least two of those three games against the conference's elite teams, and if they don't stumble against a school they shouldn't, Kansas can still win the Big 12.
Melvin Council Jr., Flory Bidunga, and Tre White need to be at their best
This year's version of the Jayhawks has some of the most fun players to watch in recent seasons. There are some real dawgs on this roster, with the head dawg being Melvin Council Jr. He plays with a joyous abandon, and he loves wearing the Kansas uniform.
Flory Bidunga has improved so much from his freshman season, where his opportunities for playing time were unfairly limited. Among the Jayhawks who play regularly, Bidunga leads the team in scoring with 14.9 points per game. He also works hard on the boards and is one of the best rim protectors in the country.
Tre White has been in a slight slump the last few games, but he does so many positive things; his drop in play is almost imperceptible. He's been turning the ball over of late and only scored four points against Arizona. Still, he is rebounding, playing hard on both ends, and he hit two key free throws down the stretch in the win against the Wildcats.
All three of these players average more than 14 points a game, and Kansas needs all three of these guys to be at their best the rest of the season. What's great about these three is that their attitude is so good and their mentality is so tough. They aren't disturbed by the circus surrounding Darryn Peterson and if he's going to play or not.
They dawgs just play!
They are getting plenty of help, too. Bryson Tiller continues to improve and be more aggressive. He is playing his best ball of the year right now. Jamari McDowell is a fantastic on-ball defender and can knock down a big three-point shot now and then. Elmarko Jackson leads by example, often making the important hustle plays that can swing momentum.
This team clicks, though, when the three dawgs are on their game. They play with toughness and joy, and they work so hard. They play together, and it is a beautiful thing to watch.
The rest of the season will be intriguing. The Jayhawks have proven they can win with or without Peterson.
Kansas can still win the Big 12. It won't be an easy task, but with three dawgs in Council, Bidunga, and White leading the way, KU has a great chance to make this season special.
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