No. 14 Kansas is on the move in Joe Lunardi’s latest Bracketology, climbing two spots to a projected four-seed. The Jayhawks are now slated as a four-seed with a projected matchup against North Dakota State in Philadelphia, marking the team’s highest standing in the NCAA projections this season.
The rise comes following a four-game win streak ahead of another highly-touted home matchup against No. 13 BYU.
Jayhawks riding momentum at the right time
The latest rise in Lunardi’s projections reflects more than just wins. It’s a team finding rhythm and hitting its stride. The sudden climb comes after a four-game win streak over then–No. 2 Iowa State, Baylor, a road win at Colorado, and a blowout over in-state rival Kansas State.
The Jayhawks’ momentum was on full display Saturday, handing Kansas State its first home loss in the Sunflower Showdown in three seasons. The result came with just seven players.
Kansas continues to build around Melvin Council Jr., who scored 17 points and reached double figures against Kansas State for the fourth time in the last five games.
The St. Bonaventure transfer has been a major contributor in the absence of Darryn Peterson, shooting 40 percent or better from the field in back-to-back games.
And then there's Elmarko Jackson. Jackson scored 19 points and added five rebounds against the Wildcats, his first double-digit scoring performance since Dec. 2 against UConn. He entered the game averaging just five points, finishing 71% from the floor.
It’s been consistent, the sort of momentum Bill Self expects as Big 12 play marches on.
Arizona and Houston still remain atop the latest polls
The Jayhawks sit in a three-way tie for fourth in the conference with No. 8 Iowa State and No. 13 BYU. The Cyclones remain a projected two-seed with the Cougars also at a four on the other side of the bracket.
Both Houston and Texas Tech landed a seed or two below top-ranked Arizona, one of three unbeaten teams in the country alongside No. 5 Nebraska and No. 24 Miami (Ohio).
The Wildcats are projected as the top overall seed once again heading into February.
The Red Raiders outrank No. 10 Houston in conference play, standing as one of six teams that remain unbeaten at home during Big 12 conference play.
The road ahead for the Jayhawks
Three must-win games remain on the schedule for Kansas: Saturday against BYU, Feb. 14 at Iowa State, and Feb. 23 against Houston.
Road losses against the Red Raiders and top-ranked Wildcats aren’t grounds for concern, but they carry the potential to impact seeding ahead of the Big 12 Tournament in March.
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