After three consecutive weeks of undefeated basketball, No. 14 Kansas is finally starting to resemble its classic self again. Now 16–5 on the season and 6–2 in Big 12 play, the Jayhawks found a rhythm in the latter half of January, notching impressive top-15 wins over Iowa State and BYU amid their active five-game winning streak.
After the victory in Allen Fieldhouse’s 1,000th historic game on Saturday, KU doesn’t have time to revel, as it must quickly turn its attention to a very tough road opponent.
After a couple of seasons of struggling to win on the road, this team has shown improvement so far, posting a 3–3 record in true road games this season with wins at NC State, Colorado, and Kansas State while playing strong team basketball.
With ten games remaining before the Big 12 Tournament, the Jayhawks have just five true road games left. All five contests will be against schools with which KU has had an animated history away from home. Here are the final five road games:
February 2 @ Texas Tech (11–6 under Bill Self in Lubbock)
February 14 @ Iowa State (14–7 under Bill Self in Ames)
February 18 @ Oklahoma State (9–8 under Bill Self in Stillwater)
February 28 @ Arizona (2–1 all time in Tucson)
March 3 @ Arizona State (0–4 all time in Tempe)
In sports, we’re taught to take it one game at a time, so for now, let’s focus on what lies directly ahead for Kansas.
On Monday night, the Jayhawks will be in Lubbock to take on Texas Tech. Head coach Grant McCasland has the Red Raiders rolling, entering the contest with an identical overall and conference record to KU.
Texas Tech boasts one of the nation’s most talented duos in JT Toppin (22.4 ppg) and Christian Anderson (19.6 ppg), with Donovan Atwell and Jaylen Petty anchoring the supporting cast.
The Red Raiders are blowing away the Big 12 in three-point shooting, averaging 11.4 makes from deep per game, which is fourth best among power conference teams.
Kansas will unquestionably have its hands full as it looks to pull off the upset and carry its winning streak into the new month.
Backup guard Elmarko Jackson, who exited the game due to an injury after playing just four minutes.
“Marko’s getting treatment right now… His tests were better after the game than at halftime, so I think he’ll be able to go," quoted Self ahead of the matchup.
Having Jackson available to come off the bench would be massive for a team that routinely stretches itself to just seven total players, most days.
With all five starters scoring in double figures on Saturday, this KU squad has clearly found its stride, with even more room to improve in the coming weeks. These players are beginning to cement themselves in the minds of Kansas fans, much like some of the most beloved former legends.
With the Jayhawks on an absolute tear lately and strong predictive metrics backing them up, is it still too early to call this a vintage Kansas team?
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