KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It's not over but two more contenders dropped another game off the pace this week in the Big 12 men's basketball race as the calendar turns to February.
One of them KU knocked down a peg itself. Kansas State hosted the Jayhawks on Monday in a game that could have thrust the Wildcats into a tie for first place. Instead, the Jayhawks thumped K-State by double-digits. KSU now sits at 5-4 midway through the conference season, two games back of Kansas.
Meanwhile, Iowa State did some dirty work Wednesday night for KU. The Cyclones took down #15 West Virginia 93-77 in one of the biggest surprises so far of the Big 12 season. The Mountaineers are tied with the Wildcats in fourth place.
Baylor and Texas could have really helped out the Jayhawks with wins this week over Oklahoma and Texas Tech. As it was, the Sooners and Red Raiders both held on in home games. And are still one game back of KU through the Big 12 season's first half.
The Jayhawks return home to face Oklahoma State on Saturday when Self hopes to see a more energized team.
"I'd like to see us play better at home," said Self. "Once you get into the postseason, obviously there are no home games but I'd like to see us generate and play with a little more energy."
It's the first meeting between the Jayhawks and Cowboys this season. Oklahoma State sits at 8th in the Big 12.
