Despite all the turmoil in college basketball this season, one thing looks like it will remain the same — the Kansas Jayhawks winning the Big 12 title.

The Jayhawks took a big step toward securing their 12th-straight regular season conference championship with a 72-63 win on the road against Kansas State. The win, plus Oklahoma’s win at West Virginia, gives Kansas a two-game lead in the conference with four games left to play.

Frank Mason III led the way for the Jayhawks with 16 points and five assists.

Kansas faces No. 19 Baylor on Tuesday night before closing out the season with games versus Texas Tech and No. 17 Iowa State and on the road at No. 25 Texas on Feb. 29.

Motley hauls in Big 12 Player of the Week award

Baylor sophomore forward Jonathan Motley started the game against Texas 11-of-11 from the field. His reward: his first Big 12 Player of the Week honor.

Motley finished the game 12-of-13 with 27 points. The performance came just days after he scored 27 points against Iowa State, matching his career high.

Iowa State redshirt junior guard Deonte Burton took home the conference’s Newcomer of the Week award after scoring 23 points and securing 14 rebounds against TCU. Burton also had 14 points and six rebounds against Baylor.
 

Jayhawks, Sooners remain in top three in AP poll

Kansas remained the highest-ranked Big 12 team in the AP poll, retaining its No. 2 position on Monday after two wins last week. Oklahoma held its No. 3 position despite a loss at Texas Tech last Wednesday but fell into a tie for the spot with Virginia.

Baylor made the biggest gain of any Big 12 team, jumping up six spots to No. 19 following the blowout win at Texas on Saturday.

West Virginia and Iowa State each fell four spots after rough weeks. The Mountaineers checked in at No. 14 after losses to Texas and Oklahoma, while the Cyclones stand at No. 17 after a midweek loss at Baylor.

Texas remained in the poll at No. 25 after splitting its two home games against ranked opponents last week.