Big 12 gauntlet awaits Kansas as February schedule intensifies

Jack Kenna | @jkenna99

Conference games in the Big 12 are never easy, and for Kansas, the challenge is about to ramp up. 

With multiple teams capable of making deep NCAA Tournament runs, the Big 12 has once again separated itself from the rest of the country.

“The Big 12 is the best conference of college basketball this year,” ESPN College GameDay Analyst Seth Greenberg said. “You got more teams that can compete for national championships, more teams that can get to the Final Four and win it.” 

Though the Big 12 isn’t forgiving, Kansas enters February with momentum. The Jayhawks are currently riding a six-game winning streak that includes a home win over No. 16 BYU and a road win against No. 13 Texas Tech. 

But as February begins, Kansas head coach Bill Self understands this will be the most difficult stretch of their season.

“Everybody’s going to go through a hard phase in their schedule. There’s no doubt about that, but this is certainly the toughest phase of ours,” Self said. 

It won’t be easy. In just the month of February, Kansas will have to take on No. 8 Houston and No. 7 Iowa State, as well as taking on No. 1 Arizona, not once, but twice. 

If Kansas wants to stay afloat during this stretch, it will be critical for the team to keep up on the defensive end of the floor. Self thinks he has the right man for the job: Flory Bidunga.. 

“ I mean to me, there’s not a better defender regardless of position,” Self said. 

While February won’t be the easiest month for Kansas, if they can keep up the defensive intensity even against the league’s best competition, Jayhawks fans should have a lot to cheer about. 

Watch the segment here: