WATCH: KU radio's Sean Kellerman talks Jayhawks' path to Big 12 title
LAWRENCE (KSNT) - In a season where winning picking up conference wins appears more difficult than ever, the Jayhawks may have to fight hard for their Big 12 title hopes.
It's going to take more than an undefeated homecourt record and bench players stepping up in the absence of star senior Kevin McCullar, who's 'banged up.' Jayhawk Sports Network radio co-host Sean Kellerman says the path to the title relies on road wins for Kansas men's basketball.
"In terms of the Big 12 Conference race, there's no reason KU can't be right there," Kellerman said. "We saw what [they] did to Houston last week at close to full strength, you beat Baylor, a top-15 team team today without McCullar. It's easy to say with a hall of fame coach, you're going to be right there."
KU currently sits at third in the Big 12 behind the Iowa State Cyclones and conference-leading Houston Cougars.
Kellerman says worst case scenario, KU needs to split its last road games 2-2 and win its remaining three home games to finish at 12-6 in Big 12 play. Not quite the conference record the Jayhawks are used to, but in this difficult of a year, Kellerman says that could earn a title trophy.
"You have to have the 'core four' if they're healthy deliver," Kellerman said. "Johnny Furphy, we saw how important this offense is when they didn't really get it in Manhattan."
The 'core four' meaning Hunter Dickinson, Dajuan Harris, KJ Adams and McCullar. Even though Elmarko Jackson and Nick Timberlake didn't boast incredible performances against Baylor, Kellerman says getting reps before March is what's important right now.
KU starts a two-game road trip at No. 23 Texas Tech on Monday, Feb. 12 before heading to Norman to face Oklahoma on Saturday, Feb. 17.
The full interview with Wallace can be watched above. K-Nation airs every Sunday night on KSNT. Click here for more K-Nation content.