Big 12 Basketball Power Rankings: Kansas Jayhawks Top ESPN's List Despite Missouri's Big Win

It might just be the reputation. After all, when a person typically thinks of Big 12 basketball, the Kansas Jayhawks are often the first thing that comes to mind. The Jayhawks are once again atop the Big 12 Power Rankings from ESPN’s Jason King and there’s a legitimate argument to be made after Missouri bested the Baylor Bears on the road this weekend. Either way, two local teams are dominating the rest of the Big 12 at this point.

About the Jayhawks, King writes, “Bill Self said Saturday’s 69-66 victory at Texas was his team’s best win of the season. Not because the Jayhawks played particularly well against the struggling Longhorns, but because they found a way to grind out a victory in a tough road environment. Kansas is 36-7 in Big 12 road games in the past five-plus seasons.”

Missouri comes in second in his rankings and Baylor fell to third overall. From there, the Iowa State Cyclones ranked fourth and the K-State Wildcats fell to fifth overall to round out the top five.

Kansas Vs. Texas: Bill Self Calls Win Over Texas Jayhawks' Best Of Season

At 12-7 and 2-4 in the Big 12, the Texas Longhorns would hardly be mistaken for a college hoops powerhouse this season. That didn't stop Kansas coach Bill Self from declaring the Jayhawks 66-63 win over the Longhorns as his team's best of the season.

"Best win of the year for us," When asked to elaborate, Self replied "Absolutely, On the road, in a tough place for us, having to come from behind. Best win."

Keep in mind that the Jayhawks were coming off of handing then No. 3 Baylor its first loss of the season 92-74. However, the way Kansas responded when down 64-60 has Self very happy with his team. The Jayhawks finished the game on a 9-2 run to seal the 66-63 win.

Next up for Jayhawks is a home matchup with Texas A&M on Monday.

For more on this game Kansas fans should check out Rock Chalk Talk and Texas fans should stop by Burnt Orange Nation. For more college hoops news and analysis head on over to SB Nation's College Basketball page.

Kansas Vs. Texas Final Score: Jayhawks Hold Off Longhorns To Win 69-66

The Kansas Jayhawks were in a battle against the Texas Longhorns during the second half. Kansas had a fairly comfortable lead at the half up 12 points, but then Texas went on a 25-12 run in the second half to take the lead 59-58 over Kansas with 5:39 left in the game. Texas then went on to increase their lead to 64-60, but Kansas then went onto score the next five points to go up 65-64.

Kansas Vs. Texas Halftime Score: Jayhawks Lead Longhorns 39-27

The No. 7 ranked Kansas Jayhawks are leading the Texas Longhorns 39-27 at the half. The Kansas offense is shooting lights out at 60.9 percent compared to Texas who is on the opposite end of the shooting spectrum by making only 30 percent of their shots.

Kansas started this game by running out to a 22-7 lead before Texas' offense was able to get anything going. Texas did get cut into Kansas' lead to make it 28-25, but Kansas ended the half on a 11-2 run.

Kansas has held Texas' best player J'Covan Brown to four points on one of eight shots fo far in this game. Kansas is being led in scoring by Tyshawn Taylor who has 12 points and he also has four assists and three rebounds so far.

Kansas' Tyshawn Taylor Says The Jayhawks Must Slow Down Texas Guard J'Covan Brown

Today’s match-up between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Texas Longhorns feature some of the best and the brightest in the Big 12. While Tyshawn Taylor just dropped 28 points during a breakout performance in a major win over the Baylor Bears earlier this week, even the Jayhawks’ guard says that he’s in awe of J’Covan Brown’s play for UT.

“That boy can play, so we just have to stay tuned in," said Taylor. "He’s always played good against us and we just have to try and contain him. He’s going to score. He takes tough shots and makes them, so we just have to slow him down and contain the other players.”

The Longhorns have lost two in a row and the Jayhawks have won eight in a row, so the Longhorns are definitely facing an uphill climb to change the momentum of both teams. If they are able to do so, it will likely be because Brown was able to take the game over in the backcourt. Thus far, the junior guard is averaging 19.2 points per game with 3.8 assists and 3.4 rebounds.

Kansas Vs. Texas Basketball: Game Preview, TV Schedule

The Kansas Jayhawks are looking for its ninth straight win when it heads to Austin on Saturday to take on the Longhorns.