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8-time defending champion Jayhawks rout Wildcats to forge tie atop Big 12 with 7 games left

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Kansas guard Ben McLemore (23) rebounds against Kansas State guard Martavious Irving (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Lawrence, Kan., Monday, Feb. 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner) (The Associated Press)

Kansas guard Elijah Johnson (15) celebrates at a timeout during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Kansas State in Lawrence, Kan., Monday, Feb. 11, 2013. Kansas defeated Kansas State 83-62. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner) (The Associated Press)

Kansas needed all of two days to pull back into a tie for first in the Big 12.

The No. 14 Jayhawks (20-5, 8-3) had lost three straight games and fallen behind No. 10 Kansas State in the league race. But an emphatic 83-62 victory over their in-state rival Monday night proved that the road to a championship still runs through Allen Fieldhouse.

Kansas has won at least a share of the last eight conference championships. And even though they've already lost three league games for the first time since 2007-08, they still control their own fate with seven games to go on the schedule.

The last time Kansas lost three Big 12 games, the Jayhawks went on to win their fifth national championship.