Where Will Kansas Land in the New AP Poll? A Big Week Brings Big Questions
It was a week of highs, lows, and a whole lot of movement in the college basketball world - and few teams rode that rollercoaster quite like the Kansas Jayhawks.
Let’s start with the good: Kansas knocked off then-undefeated No. 1 Arizona in a Monday night showdown that had Allen Fieldhouse rocking.
And they did it without Darryn Peterson, no less. That win wasn’t just big - it was the kind of signature victory that shapes resumes and turns heads come March.
It showed what Bill Self’s squad can do when the lights are brightest.
But just when it looked like KU was ready to surge, Saturday happened.
The Jayhawks headed into Ames, Iowa, and ran into a buzzsaw. Iowa State handed Kansas its fourth straight loss inside Hilton Coliseum, and frankly, it wasn’t much of a contest. Kansas never really found its rhythm, and the Cyclones made sure the Jayhawks left with more questions than answers.
So, where does that leave Kansas heading into Monday’s updated AP Poll?
Well, the good news is that they weren’t the only top team to stumble. In fact, seven of the top ten teams in last week’s rankings took a loss. That kind of shakeup opens the door for some serious movement - and gives Kansas a chance to stay within striking distance of the top despite the setback in Ames.
Let’s break it down.
Best-Case Scenario: No. 7
Had Kansas followed up the Arizona win with another strong showing at Iowa State, we might be talking about a top-four jump. But the loss in Ames likely keeps them out of that elite tier - at least for now.
Still, there’s a realistic path for KU to climb as high as No. 7.
Why? Because teams directly ahead of them also slipped.
Nebraska (22-3) and Illinois (21-5) both dropped home games this week - rare stumbles that could open the door for Kansas to leapfrog them, especially considering the quality of KU’s win over Arizona.
The top six in the AP Poll might hold firm, but the order will almost certainly shuffle. And with so many contenders taking a hit, Kansas’s résumé - anchored by that Arizona win - could be strong enough to push them into the back end of the top seven.
Worst-Case Scenario: No. 12
Now, let’s talk floor.
Even with the Arizona win, the loss at Iowa State could carry enough weight to knock Kansas down a few spots, especially if voters put more stock in recent form than résumé strength.
Three teams right behind Kansas - Gonzaga (25-2), Purdue (21-4), and Florida (19-6) - all went 2-0 this week. That kind of consistency, especially this late in the season, tends to get rewarded.
If all three jump the Jayhawks, KU could slide down to No. 12.
That said, it’s unlikely they fall much further than that. Virginia (22-3) and Texas Tech (19-6) also had strong weeks, but they’re still just outside the range to realistically leapfrog Kansas - at least not yet.
So Where Will KU Land?
When the dust settles, Kansas should still find itself comfortably within the top 10-12 range. The Arizona win is simply too big to ignore, even if the Iowa State loss reminded us that this team still has some inconsistencies to iron out - especially on the road.
The Jayhawks have shown they can beat anyone in the country. But they’ve also shown they’re vulnerable in tough road environments. That duality is what makes this team so fascinating - and so hard to rank.
Come Monday, expect Kansas to land somewhere between No. 7 and No. 12. Not quite elite territory, but still firmly in the national conversation - and with plenty of time left to climb.