Kansas’ Bill Self is looking for a strong response after a lopsided home loss, while Texas’ Chris Beard is preparing to face the program he led to within a win of a national championship just three years ago. That’s part of a Big 12 schedule that sees each of the league’s five AP Top 25 teams face at least one ranked opponent this week. The 10th-ranked Jayhawks are coming off an 18-point home loss to now-No. 5 Kentucky and are battling through numerous injuries, including starters David McCormack and Remy Martin. The Jayhawks visit No. 20 Iowa State on Tuesday night, then host eighth-ranked and reigning national champion Baylor on Saturday. Martin, who averaged 19 points in the past two seasons at Arizona State, is battling through a lingering knee injury. Self told reporters Monday that the guard is at “probably 60 or 70%.” Additionally, freshman guard Bobby Pettiford is still limited and after returning from missing a month with an abdominal injury. McCormack, who had offseason surgery on a broken bone in his foot, has been dealing with soreness. And Self said freshman forward Zach Clemence is probably at least a week from returning from a toe injury that has sidelined him since Jan. 8. That’s part of why Self hopes Kansas (17-3, 6-1 Big 12) does more in the “scrap department” with energy and effort plays to offset some of those concerns, particularly with the conference race open regardless of the Kentucky disappointment. “We missed an opportunity, there’s no question, to play better,” Self said. “But we haven’t missed out on an opportunity to still do what we set out to do” in the league. As for the Longhorns (16-5, 5-3), they visit No. 14 Texas Tech on Tuesday in Beard’s first trip back to the Red Raiders program he led as head coach for the previous five seasons. It’s the first of two games this week against ranked opponents, the second coming Saturday at home against the Cyclones. “Very appreciative of my 15 years there,” Beard said Sunday, adding: “I thought together we did build an undeniable homecourt advantage, and I look forward to playing in that environment.” WILDCATS’ DOUBLE Two sets of Wildcats – No. 7 Arizona and No. 12 Villanova – each gave their own doubleheader against ranked opponents this week, too. In the Pac-12, Arizona (17-2, 7-1) hosts No. 3 UCLA on Thursday followed by No. 19 Southern California on Saturday. And in the Big East, Villanova (16-5, 9-2) visits No. 24 Marquette on Wednesday then hosts No. 17 Connecticut on Saturday. TIGERS’ STREAK Auburn held firmly to its grip on the program’s first No. 1 ranking in Monday’s poll, staying ahead of Gonzaga for the second straight week. The Tigers (20-1, 8-0 Southeastern Conference) have won 17 straight games since losing in double-overtime to UConn in Novermber during the Battle 4 Atlantis. They next face instate rival Alabama on Tuesday, followed by visiting Georgia on Saturday.
Kansas’ Bill Self is looking for a strong response after a lopsided home loss, while Texas’ Chris Beard is preparing to face the program he led to within a win of a national championship just three years ago.