Big 12 Basketball: Kansas Jayhawks Secure 13th Straight Conference Regular Season Title Share
By Connor Hope
With an 87-68 victory over the TCU Horned Frogs, Bill Self’s Kansas Jayhawks clinched a 13th consecutive Big 12 Conference regular season title.
As the final buzzer sounded on the 87-68 win over TCU, the Kansas Jayhawks began celebrating their 13th straight Big 12 Conference regular season title. With this win, the program tied the 1967-79 UCLA Bruins for the most consecutive conference titles in NCAA History.
What makes this team different, from the great teams of the 13 years, is the grit they have displayed in the close games.
In fifteen Big 12 games this season, the Kansas Jayhawks played in eight games decided by five points or less. Their 7-1 record in such games is the best record for a Kansas team during this streak. The only loss came in an overtime game against Iowa State at home – ending the Jayhawks 51-game win streak in Allen Fieldhouse.
Leading the charge for Bill Self’s squad is senior guard Frank Mason III. Through Wednesday night’s game, Mason averages 20.8 points, 4.3 assists, and 1.3 steals against Big 12 opponents. He is one of the top candidates for the Wooden Award. Mason’s leadership at the end of tight games makes Kansas a favorite to cut down the nets in April.
Guards Devonte’ Graham and Josh Jackson join Mason to form one of the best backcourts in college basketball. Just a junior, Graham provides the leadership needed whenever Mason is off the court, averaging 13.6 points and 4.6 assists per game in Big 12 play.
Projected as a top-5 pick in the NBA Draft, Freshman Josh Jackson may be the Jayhawks’ most talented player. During conference play, Jackson has averaged 16.9 points, 3 assists, 7.3 rebounds and 1.8 steals for the Jayhawks.
These three stars have lifted a team that makes up for its lack of size with athleticism and effort. Despite worries that Kansas’ streak may be halted by an upstart Baylor team, the Jayhawks beat the Bears in both meetings, by a combined margin of seven.
As the NCAA Tournament approaches, the Jayhawks must remain focused on each individual game. Villanova’s loss to Butler on Wednesday should secure Kansas a spot as the first overall seed. However, any loss, including one in the Big 12 Tournament, could cause the Jayhawks to fall from the top line.
Congratulations, once again, to Bill Self and the Kansas Jayhawks on their 13th consecutive Big 12 title.