The road to the NCAA tournament is arguably one of the toughest in the country for Big 12 teams. As Kansas State head coach Jerome Tang put it, “Anybody in the Big 12 can beat us.”
But this isn’t about Tang—it’s about the precedent. Tang’s statement rings true for every team in the conference. After all, the Big 12 has long been one of college basketball’s most challenging, and this season bears no exception.
With Texas and Oklahoma gone to the SEC, a wave of new teams joining in 2023, and several coaching changes since, here’s a look at the three easiest games on the Jayhawks’ schedule.
Easiest: Kansas vs. Kansas State, March 7, 1 p.m.
I’ve never been one to rip on the Sunflower Showdown, except for when it’s played at Allen Fieldhouse. Point blank – it’s boring.
It doesn’t get any easier to predict an outcome than a game that the Wildcats haven’t won on the road since 2006.
Kansas State has already played a number of bad games this year, most notably in the non-conference slate against Bowling Green. The Wildcats lost four in a row during that stretch, something that most Cats fans don’t want to talk about.
The only threat to Kansas is PJ Haggerty, who’s scored 24 points in each of his last two games. The Wildcats haven’t looked spectacular on paper this season, especially against Bowling Green and Louisiana-Monroe during nonconference play.
Better yet, ticket prices are through the roof. Nobody is spending $157 to watch this game. Don’t waste your time or your money on this one, The Jayhawks should win by at least 25. Spend the day outside, soak up the sun, maybe even do a little spring cleaning.
Score prediction: Kansas 92, Kansas State 60
Easier: Kansas vs TCU, Jan. 6, 8 p.m.
Jamie Dixon and the Horned Frogs have shown that they’re ready for the start of conference play. TCU sits on a five game win streak ahead of a match against in-state rival Baylor, with a lot of potential on the horizon.
Don’t get it twisted, this team has come a long way from the home opener that it lost to New Orleans, even winning 115-64 against Jackson State, their largest margin of victory in over two decades.
The problem for TCU comes with size in the frontcourt. Where that lacks, it’s harder to match up with guys like Flory Bidunga. In their most recent matchup with Kansas, presence in the paint was minimal at best. Both Bidunga and Hunter Dickinson ended the contest in double figures as the Jayhawks cruised past the Horned Frogs, 74-61, in Fort Worth.
Unfortunately for the Jayhawks, they’ll fly back after a long trip from Orlando against UCF. Time zones and jet lag might be something to consider.
If you’re in town and want to see a competitive first 10 minutes, this one is worth the price of admission.
Score prediction: Kansas 82, TCU 68
Borderline Manageable: Kansas vs. Cincinnati, Feb. 21, Noon
The Cincinnati team that we’ve seen thus far in nonconference play has been the definition of inconsistent. One night Baba Miller is putting up 26 points and grabbing 14 rebounds against Alabama State while another brings a loss to Eastern Michigan on the home floor.
The former looks good, but the latter… ouch.
The Bearcats welcomed back Jizzle James on Dec. 17 following some behind-the-scenes drama. But we’ll leave the past where it belongs: in the past.
James has scored in double figures in all three games he’s played this season for the Bearcats—an impressive feat nonetheless.
Last season against the Jayhawks, James only scored three points shooting 1 for 6 from the floor. Even without him, this is a Cincinnati team that kept it close against Louisville.
That being said, playing inside Allen Fieldhouse is different. Dust off those record books, because Cincinnati’s last win over Kansas came in 1962.
Score prediction: Kansas 86, Cincinnati 74
Make sure to bookmark Through the Phog and follow us on X and Facebook with the username @Throughthephog