Norm Roberts addresses where Kansas stands in race for No. 1 seed

Kansas is the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament ahead of Saturday’s Big 12 Championship game against Texas.

After defeating Iowa State 71-58 in the conference tournament semifinals, do the Jayhawks believe they’ve locked up a No. 1 seed in the eyes of the selection committee?

“I have no idea. We’re not worried about that,” Kansas assistant Norm Roberts, who is filling in for Bill Self during the Big 12 Tournament, said postgame. “We’re worried about winning the game and who we play next. You can’t worry about that. When you get in the tournament, everybody is good. Every team is a champion. You gotta be ready to play, so doesn’t matter where you’re at.”

That’s coach speak for — “yes.” Kansas’s resume speaks for itself.

ESPN’s Joe Lunardi said the Jayhawks would be his choice for the top overall seed in this year’s March Madness. Regardless of Kansas’ overall seeding, Lunardi projects them to play in the Midwest Regional and start the NCAA Tournament in Des Moines, Iowa.

“If I were in the room, Kansas would have cemented the No. 1 overall seed with that victory tonight,” Lunardi said Friday night. “I just don’t see how you can deny the overwhelming quality of their resume. Winning the best league in the country outright and now, reaching the championship game. We also run into the annual practical concerns of it getting late [Saturday] night when Kansas plays the final. It’s even later in the process on Sunday afternoon if Alabama is still alive.”

If Kansas can take down the Longhorns and claim its 13th Big 12 Tournament Championship, it’s almost certain that the reigning national champions will be the team to beat in this year’s NCAA Tournament.

Tip-off between the Jayhawks and Longhorns is set for 6 p.m. ET live on ESPN. Kansas has jumped to a 2.5-point favorite ahead of the game after opening at -1.5.