Since last tweeks unvieling of the AP Top 25 poll, you could make a case that the Kansas Jayhawks had the toughest fixtures in all of collegiate basketball.
Kansas had to take on the No. 5 Houston Cougars and the No. 2 Arizona Wildcats.
Of course, Kansas finished the week with a 1-1 split, having dominated Houston but to the same extent losing by 23 points to the Wildcats, in a result that brought the expectations right back down to earth.
Latest AP poll gives clear barometer at where the Jayhawks sit
Minutes ago, KU was revealed as the nation’s 14th-ranked team. Moving nowhere after last week, which in all likelihood is probably a fair assessment.
A surefire last week of conference play lies ahead
Kansas gets to experience a slight reprieve in its last week of Big 12 play before heading into the conference tournament. The Jayhawks get to face a 15-14 Arizona State and an 11-18 Kansas State. The pair combines for an 8-24 conference record, and both sit outside the top-60 of the KenPom.
In a battle for Kansas to look to secure a double bye for the Big 12 Tournament, these next two games are crucial as the Jayhawks must not slip up, as they currently hold the fifth-spot in the conference tournament, putting them one place away from the double bye.
As it stands, Arizona, Texas Tech, Houston, and Iowa State occupy the first four spots, yet the Cyclones take on the Wildcats Monday night, and the Red Raiders take on BYU on the 7th, both games providing potential space for the Jayhawks to attack.
Kansas is set for tipoff against the Sun Devils Tuesday evening at 8 p.m. CT with streaming available on Fox Sports One.
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