Kansas Jumps to No. 8 in AP Poll After Rollercoaster Week - But the Real Test Is Consistency
Kansas basketball is in a familiar spot: ranked inside the top 10 and firmly in the national conversation. But after a week that included both a season-defining win and a humbling loss, the Jayhawks are once again facing questions about consistency - especially away from Allen Fieldhouse.
Let’s start with the good. Knocking off previously undefeated No.
1 Arizona in front of a raucous home crowd is the kind of win that programs build highlight reels around. It was a high-stakes, high-energy matchup, and Kansas rose to the occasion, taking down the Wildcats 82-78 in a game that showcased the Jayhawks’ offensive firepower and defensive grit in crunch time.
But just when it looked like Kansas might be building real momentum, they ran into a buzzsaw in Ames.
A Reality Check in Iowa
Saturday’s 74-56 loss to No. 5 Iowa State was a stark reminder of how tough the Big 12 can be - and how vulnerable Kansas has looked on the road this season.
The Cyclones didn’t just win; they dominated. It was a physical, defensive clinic that left Kansas scrambling for answers.
This wasn’t just a bad shooting night - it was a game where Kansas got outworked and out-executed from tip to final buzzer.
So where does that leave the Jayhawks? Still climbing, at least in the eyes of the AP voters.
Kansas Moves Up to No. 8
Despite the loss to Iowa State, Kansas moved up one spot to No. 8 in the latest AP Poll released Monday. That might surprise some fans who are still trying to make sense of the team’s road struggles, but it speaks to the weight of that Arizona win - and to the fact that the Jayhawks are still one of the most talented, battle-tested squads in the country.
Kansas is one of six Big 12 teams currently ranked, a testament to the league’s depth and weekly gauntlet. Houston continues to lead the charge at No. 2, riding a six-game winning streak and looking every bit like a national title contender.
Arizona, after back-to-back losses to Kansas and No. 16 Texas Tech, dropped to No.
As for Iowa State, their dominant win over Kansas helped them climb to No. 6 - but a previous loss to unranked TCU kept them from jumping even higher. It’s a reminder that in the Big 12, one week can flip the narrative in either direction.
Texas Tech sits just behind Kansas at No. 13 after a strong week that included a 78-44 blowout of Colorado followed by a win over Arizona. The Red Raiders are starting to look dangerous, especially on the defensive end.
And rounding out the Big 12 presence is BYU at No. 23.
The Cougars have stabilized with two straight wins after a rough 1-5 stretch, but they’ll now have to navigate the rest of the season without star guard Richie Saunders, who suffered a torn ACL in their 90-86 win over Colorado. A brutal blow for a team trying to regain its footing.
A Crucial Stretch Ahead
Looking ahead, Kansas gets a bit of a breather - at least on paper. The Jayhawks are set to face Oklahoma State and Cincinnati this week, two teams currently sitting outside the top 60 in the NCAA’s NET rankings (72nd and 63rd, respectively). But if Kansas has learned anything from its early Big 12 schedule, it’s that no game is a given.
Remember, the Jayhawks opened conference play against UCF, TCU, and West Virginia - and came out of that stretch with just one win. That kind of start put them in an early hole and made every game since feel a little more urgent.
Now, with a chance to stack a couple of wins and build some rhythm, the pressure is on again. These are the games Kansas has to win if they want to stay in the top 10 - and more importantly, if they want to be a real threat in March.
The talent is there. The pedigree is unquestioned.
But for Kansas, the challenge isn’t about proving they can beat the best. It’s about showing they can do it consistently - home or away, ranked or unranked, spotlight or no spotlight.
That journey continues this week.