Sports

Losing streak unfamiliar territory for No. 5 Kansas; Jayhawks now in tie for Big 12 lead

Associated Press
Published | Updated

TCU forward Connell Crossland defends as Kansas guard Ben McLemore (23) drives to the basket during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Sharon Ellman) (The Associated Press)

Kansas head coach Bill Self argues a call during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against TCU, Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013, in Fort Worth, Texas. TCU won 62-55. (AP Photo/Sharon Ellman) (The Associated Press)

Bill Self likened the Kansas team he put on the floor Wednesday night to ones fielded by Dr. James Naismith back when the school was playing games against the Topeka YMCA.

The Jayhawks had just lost to Big 12 bottom-dweller TCU, which had been winless in its first eight conference games. And before that was a loss to Oklahoma State that ended a nation-leading 18-game winning streak, and a 33-game run of success at Allen Fieldhouse.

Two straight losses? Not much to complain about most places.

Most places aren't like Kansas.

The fifth-ranked Jayhawks will try to avoid a third straight defeat Saturday at Oklahoma, and while Self admitted it "hasn't been the best week around here," he also believes his team has enough talent to rebound against the Sooners.