The Kansas Jayhawks are your new No. 1 team in the latest Associated Press top 25 poll. The NCAA basketball rankings crown Kansas the No. 1 team for the fifth time in Bill Self's eight year tenure at Kansas. Previous No. 1 Ohio State drops to No. 2 while the Texas Longhorns remain at No. 3. Pittsburgh is in fourth, Duke is fifth and San Diego State is No. 6.
The top five didn't change outside of Kansas and Ohio State trading places. Last week's top five went like this: Ohio State, Kansas, Texas, Pittsburgh and Duke.
Kansas and Ohio State have identical 24-1 records with the Buckeyes first loss coming on Saturday to Wisconsin. Kansas last week beat Missouri and Iowa State.
Kansas head coach Bill Self previously said the goal as of today is to beat the Kansas State Wildcats at Bramlage Coliseum but did acknowledge that it "would be nice" to be No. 1. Though Kansas State is struggling this year, defending No. 1 won't be easy for Kansas. This is a rivalry game and it's not easy to go into Manhattan and win.
After Kansas State, KU's first week of defending the top spot will include a Saturday matchup with the Colorado Buffaloes in Lawrence.
Assuming Kansas gets past Kansas State Monday night, they should be fine getting through the next couple of weeks in the Big 12 before two matchups in the first week of March against Texas A&M and at Missouri.
Curious to know what the fans are saying about the new No. 1? Check out SB Nation's Rock Chalk Talk, Burnt Orange Nation and Along The Olentangy.