Kansas State's Recent Struggles Open the Door For Arch-Rival Kansas in Big 12 Play

It quickly became a week to forget for the Kansas State Wildcats and head coach Bruce Weber.

After dropping a pivotal contest at home to arch-rival Kansas, the Wildcats wrapped up the week with back-to-back losses, falling to Iowa State on Saturday. The recent struggles for K-State have opened the door even more so for their hated rival, as the Jayhawks now hold the key to once again winning the Big 12 Conference crown.

The Wildcats ended up on the wrong side of two close contests, falling to Kansas by four and then Iowa State by six this past week. The tough, late-game losses push the Wildcats down to 4-2 within the conference, while the Jayhawks have pushed forward at 6-0. In between the pair of in-state rivals sits Baylor at 5-1 in the league, but the Jayhawks have already defeated the Bears by 17 points this year.

Now granted, the Jayhawks must make a return to trip to Waco on Mar. 9, while also welcoming in those pesky Wildcats yet again in a few weeks, however it’s quickly become a situation in the Big 12 in which the Jayhawks ultimately control their own destiny.

Kansas’ dominance atop the Big 12 is well known these days, as a balanced squad led by star freshman Ben McLemore is once again the team to beat in the conference. Although there is plenty of basketball still to be played, the Jayhawks are more than on their way to a ninth consecutive conference title.

 

Follow Paul Seaver on Twitter: @PaulSeaverRS