Top 25 Rankings Reaction: Kansas Jayhawks Regain Control as Big 12 Leader

It’s another week of the top three teams in the Big 12 shuffling around in the top 25 polls. The Kansas Jayhawks were able to surpass their in-state rivals, but how close are the Oklahoma State Cowboys who have won their previous seven games?

Feb 16, 2013; Lawrence, KS, USA; The Kansas Jayhawks bench celebrates after a basket against the Texas Longhorns in the second half at Allen Fieldhouse. Kansas won the game 73-47. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Both the Associated Press and Coaches Polls have Kansas, Kansas State, and Oklahoma State in the same positions. The Jayhawks break into the top ten once again in ninth place. The Wildcats dropped to 13th, one spot above the Cowboys at 14th.

Compared to last week, Kansas moved up five spots from 14th in the AP and four spots from 13th in the Coaches. Kansas State was previously ranked 10th in the AP and 11th in the Coaches; Oklahoma State was 17th and 16th, respectively.

Only Oklahoma received other votes in the Big 12, two again in the Coaches Poll. This marks the third straight week the Iowa State Cyclones haven’t gotten any votes, but they haven’t shown that they deserve votes after not being able to defeat their last four opponents on the road.

Assuming that the top three teams in the Big 12 are locks for the NCAA tournament, it will be interesting to see what seedings they get between their rankings and how the committee perceives the conference. Currently the Big 12 is ranked fifth in conference RPI. After the weekend, most bracketology experts have those teams in the three to five seed range. Oklahoma and Baylor currently range in the 10-12 seed range; Iowa State ranges from the 10 seed to out of the tournament.

Brian Spaen is the lead editor of Clones Confidential. Get more Cyclones coverage by following us on Twitter and Facebook.