LAWRENCE - After a pair of much-needed home wins, Kansas basketball is starting to look like a team finding its rhythm. The Jayhawks, now 13-5 overall and 3-2 in Big 12 play, climbed to No. 19 in the latest USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll - a six-spot jump from last week’s No. 25 ranking.
And it’s not hard to see why.
Kansas knocked off two ranked opponents in back-to-back games at Allen Fieldhouse, including a gritty win over now-No. 9 Iowa State and a strong showing against Baylor.
Those wins didn’t just add to the win column - they helped breathe new life into a team that had stumbled out of the gate in conference play. With Big 12 competition as deep and dangerous as ever, momentum like this can be hard to come by - and even harder to hold onto.
The conference is a gauntlet this season. No.
1 Arizona leads the way, with Houston (No. 6), Iowa State (No.
9), Texas Tech (No. 12), and BYU (No. 13) all stacked in the top 15. That’s five ranked teams - and Kansas has already faced two of them.
The challenge now? Proving they can take that home-court energy on the road.
So far, that’s been a sticking point. Kansas has yet to notch a Big 12 road win this season.
Their only true road victory came in non-conference play against NC State. That’s a trend that needs to change quickly, especially with two road matchups looming - at Colorado on Tuesday and at Kansas State on Saturday.
Neither team is currently ranked, but both present the kind of trap games that can derail a team’s progress if focus slips even a little.
One of the key developments for Kansas lately has been the return of freshman guard Darryn Peterson to a consistent role in the rotation. His presence on the floor adds a layer of dynamism to the backcourt that had been missing. He’s not just talented - he’s a tone-setter, and Kansas plays with more confidence when he’s involved.
Sophomore forward Flory Bidunga is another name to keep an eye on. He’s been stepping up in recent games, providing the kind of frontcourt presence Kansas will need if they’re going to stay in the hunt for a Big 12 regular-season title. His ability to protect the rim, rebound, and finish around the basket gives the Jayhawks a physical edge - something that becomes even more important in the grind of conference play.
There’s still a long road ahead, both literally and figuratively, for Bill Self’s squad. But if these past two games are a sign of things to come, Kansas might just be turning the corner at the right time.