CBB Roundup: Kansas Blown Out in Second Straight Loss

Kentucky fans circled the Kansas game on the calendar when the Wildcats’ schedule was released. Throughout the season the outlook of the game has shifted dramatically at times for UK fans. Ten days ago Kentucky’s prospects of winning may have been dim. Things have changed quite a bit since then.

Once reeling from a Quad 4 loss, Kentucky has now won three straight games, highlighted by arguably the biggest win of the college basketball season, at Tennessee. Meanwhile, Kansas is on the verge of falling from No. 2 in the Top 25 after losing back-to-back games.

The Jayhawks were winning to start conference play, but hanging on by a thread. They had four of five wins decided by four points or less. On Tuesday they traveled to Manhattan and lost to Kansas State by one point in the Little Apple. The loss was surprising, but there’s no shame in losing on the road in college basketball. What’s even more shocking? TCU went to Lawrence and beat down Kansas 83-60. The Phog Allen refs can’t do the Jayhawks any favors when they’re losing by 23 points. It was the second-worst home loss for Bill Self in his 20-year coaching career.

“The way they chewed gum. The way they tied their shoes. Everything they did was perfect today,” Self said of TCU. “They played great. They’re so fast. They’re so athletic off the bench. Their bench was unbelievable. … That was a beatdown.”

Kansas trailed by 10 at half and never got within single digits. TCU was previously 0-11 in games at Phog Allen and 0-17 vs. AP Top 5 teams.

The Jayhawks are reeling, adding more desperation into next Saturday’s high-profile SEC/Big 12 Challenge. Get you ready for fireworks at Rupp Arena.

Alabama Keeps on Rolling

The Crimson Tide more closely resembles a steamroller. Saturday afternoon Nate Oats’ squad traveled to Missouri and won 85-64. Dating back to the win over Kentucky, Alabama has a 22.8 average margin of victory. With only losses to Gonzaga and UConn on their resume, Alabama has clearly emerged as the team to beat in the SEC.

SEC Scoreboard and Standings

• No. 7 Tennessee 77, LSU 56
• No. 16 Auburn 81, South Carolina 66
• No. 25 Arkansas 69, Ole Miss 57
• Vanderbilt 85, Georgia 82
• Florida 61, Mississippi State 59