USATSI
Kansas was, just three weeks ago, 5-3 in Big 12 play and with a three-game losing streak in an SEC/Big 12 Challenge game against Kentucky inside Rupp Arena. Suddenly, Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame head coach Bill Self was on the verge of suffering perhaps the first four-game losing streak in his 20 years at KU, and the likelihood of winning at least a share of his 17th Big 12 regular season title looked more in danger than he normally was.
But now look.
The Jayhawks A) beat John Calipari’s Wildcats on the road to snap their three-game losing streak three Saturdays ago, B) they’re 5-1 since losing 75-69 at Baylor last month, and, C) they’re in top of the league standings — tied for first place with Texas and Baylor. That’s one reason why Saturday’s rematch between the Jayhawks and Bears, our two previous national champions, is arguably the biggest game of the weekend, because only the winner inside Allen Fieldhouse will stand first with just four regular season games remaining.
“The season flew by,” said Kansas star Jalen Wilson. “It seems like [just] yesterday we lost three in a row. But we’ve had some good games… and now we’re back in the position we want to be.”
Kansas ranks No. 3 in the CBS Sports Top 25 Saturday Morning Updated Rankings and No. 1 in the daily college basketball rankings, trailing only No. 1 Houston and No. 2 Alabama. Baylor is No.