Kansas coach Bill Self said it best Tuesday.
“We’re all obviously embarrassed.”
The Jayhawks had just hit the low point of the season and perhaps Self’s legendary tenure with a 34-point loss at BYU. They were swept in a Utah road trip, not leading at all in two games.
Even former players are sounding off on the program.
So, what’s wrong with Kansas, once the favorite to win the national championship and Big 12?
The offense has been a mess. The stars haven’t always shown up.
That’s simplifying things.
But the Jayhawks are in real danger of tumbling enough in the Big 12 standings that they don’t get the double bye in the conference tournament. And they could even fall below a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament for the first time under Self.
This is uncharted territory for Kansas.
It’s why they’ve fallen to a low point in this week’s Big 12 power rankings.
More: Kansas basketball, embarrassed, suffers sleep-walks through loss on the road against BYU
1. Houston
Last week: 1
This week: vs. Iowa State (Saturday); at Texas Tech (Monday)
What to know: The Cougars have a new Big 12 record for consecutive road conference wins: 12. They could also clinch at least a share of a second straight regular-season league title Monday.
2. Arizona
Last week: 2
This week: vs. BYU (Saturday); vs. Utah (Wednesday)
What to know: Wildcats coach Tommy Lloyd wanted to see how his team responded to two straight losses and a short turnaround to travel to Baylor. The response? A dominant win to stay in the Big 12 title hunt.
3. Iowa State
Last week: 4
This week: at Houston (Saturday); at Oklahoma State (Tuesday)
What to know: The Cyclones have won four straight games since the return of Milan Momcilovic from injury. And they’re looking more and more like the team capable of making the Final Four.
More: Hines: Iowa State basketball’s tune-ups are behind it. Houston is on deck.
4. Texas Tech
Last week: 3
This week: vs. West Virginia (Saturday); vs. Houston (Monday)
What to know: The Red Raiders, who were part of the NCAA Tournament committee’s top-16 seed reveal, have lost six games this season by 23 total points. Figuring out how to consistently win close games will be crucial in March.
More: What Texas Tech basketball needs to do to be ready for March Madness run after TCU loss
5. BYU
Last week: 7
This week: at Arizona (Saturday); at Arizona State (Wednesday)
What to know: The Cougars should be in the NCAA Tournament, especially after thoroughly dominating the state of Kansas in the past week. They’ve won 7 of 9 since opening league play 2-4.
6. Baylor
Last week: 8
This week: at Colorado (Saturday); at Cincinnati (Tuesday)
What to know: Baylor just needs consistency (and some better health). The Bears have alternated wins and losses for eight straight games.
7. TCU
Last week: 9
This week: at Cincinnati (Saturday); at West Virginia (Tuesday)
What to know: Can the surging Horned Frogs make the NCAA Tournament? It’s possible, especially after upsetting Texas Tech. They have the strength of schedule (21st nationally) but their NET (72) is not ideal.
8. Kansas State
Last week: 5
This week: vs. Arizona State (Sunday); at UCF (Wednesday)
What to know: The Wildcats cooled off rather quickly. Dropping both games in their Utah swing — a problem for many Big 12 teams — makes their path to the NCAA Tournament even more daunting than it was.
9. Kansas
Last week: 6
This week: vs. Oklahoma State (Saturday); at Colorado (Monday)
What to know: The Jayhawks have hit rock bottom. It’s almost impossible to imagine but they have not had a lead in the past two games. That’s 80 minutes, if you’re keeping track.
More: What’s wrong with Kansas? Stumbling Jayhawks annihilated by BYU
10. West Virginia
Last week: 10
This week: at Texas Tech (Saturday); vs. TCU (Tuesday)
What to know: West Virginia has won just three of its last nine. So, holding on to beat Cincinnati was huge, both for the Mountaineers’ NCAA Tournament hopes and their psyche.
11. Cincinnati
Last week: 11
This week: vs. TCU (Saturday); vs. Baylor (Tuesday)
What to know: Speaking of NCAA Tournament resumes, the Bearcats’ took a hit with the season sweep by West Virginia. With TCU and Baylor up next, wins are crucial.
12. Utah
Last week: 13
This week: at UCF (Sunday); at Arizona (Wednesday)
What to know: The Utes are growing up. Sweeping the state of Kansas is a good sign. Just proving they can hang in the Big 12 in Year 1 is valuable for the future.
13. Oklahoma State
Last week: 14
This week: at Kansas (Saturday); vs. Iowa State (Tuesday)
What to know: The Cowboys are up to five conference wins in Year 1 under Steve Lutz. That’s more wins than a year ago. And they’re back to .500. Even small steps are important in a rebuild.
More: Bryce Thompson’s career night propels Oklahoma State basketball past UCF to reach .500
14. UCF
Last week: 12
This week: vs. Utah (Sunday); vs. Kansas State (Wednesday)
What to know: The Knights have plummeted to near the bottom of the league standings behind a seven-game losing streak. It’s their longest skid since the 2015-16 season.
15. Arizona State
Last week: 15
This week: at Kansas State (Sunday); vs. BYU (Wednesday)
What to know: The Sun Devils have lost six straight games overall and seven consecutive at home. It’s safe to wonder if coach Bobby Hurley will continue past Year 1 in the Big 12.
More: No. 5 Houston overpowers Arizona State, handing Sun Devils their 7th straight home loss
16. Colorado
Last week: 16
This week: vs. Baylor (Saturday); vs. Kansas (Monday)
What to know: Finally, a positive for the Buffaloes in conference play: They won’t be winless. It had been nearly 14 years since they won a Big 12 game.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Big 12 basketball power rankings: Kansas, Bill Self hit rock bottom
