Unhappy Valentine For No. 1 Kansas: Jayhawks Spanked By Rival Kansas State 84-68

VIDEO: Kansas State Scores Upset Over No. 1 Kansas Behind Jacob Pullen's 38 Points

Kansas State and Kansas basketball both began the year with big expectations, but only one of those teams has lived up to the billing into 2011. But Monday night, it was the disappointing K-State team that impressed everyone, knocking off the no. 1 Jayhawks behind a monstrous 38 points from Jacob Pullen.

We have video highlights here:

And Pullen, you'll remember, is the Kansas State superstar that said he wouldn't play in the NIT if that's where the Wildcats season ends up. He compared it to drinking boxed wine, to be exact.

There's still plenty of work left to do for K-State and Pullen if they want to avoid getting left out in March, but you have to think Monday's victory over Kansas is a pretty great start. Meanwhile, the Jayhawks will have to regroup, losing the no. 1 spot just a day after they earned it. It was a disastrous night in Manhattan for Bill Self and company, but that's all it was: just one night.

So looking ahead after Monday, we're right back to where we began this year. Both of these teams could do big things this year. And they still can. Kansas if they can learn from last night's loss, and Kansas State if... Well, if Jacob Pullen plays like he did on Monday, it's going to be hard to keep them out of March Madness, and just as hard to beat 'em when they get there.

Kansas Vs. Kansas State Final Score: Jacob Pullen Scores 38 In Wildcats' 84-68 Upset Of No. 1 Jayhawks

The stay atop the polls will be a short one for the Kansas Jayhawks. They stepped onto the court on Monday night against in-state rival Kansas State and never stood a chance. Jacob Pullen and the Kansas State Wildcats played inspired and the Jayhawks seemed unprepared for the onslaught in the 84-68 KSU victory.

Kansas State jumped to a quick double-digit lead in the first half and Kansas never threatened in the second. Pullen went 9-of-17 from the field (5-of-6 on threes) and hit 15 of 19 free throws to make his 38. Rodney McGruder and Jordan Henriquez-Roberts added ten points each in support.

The win is huge for the Wildcats, desperately in need of something to offset a sluggish 4-6 start in Big 12 play. They hardly looked like the team that lost to Colorado in their previous game.

Kansas not only will lose their place atop the rankings but also their chances at winning an outright Big 12 crown. They’re now 9-2 in the conference, behind the 10-0 Texas Longhorns, whom they’ve already lost to and will not play again.

For more on this game visit Rock Chalk Talk, Bring On The Cats, and SB Nation Kansas City.

Kansas Vs. Kansas State Score: Jacob Pullen At Season High As Wildcats Maintain Lead

Jacob Pullen and the Kansas State Wildcats continue to pour it on in their attempt to upset newly-minted No. 1 Kansas. Pullen has set a season-high with 30 points and the Wildcat leads the Jayhawks 65-47 with 10:00 left in the 2nd half.

KSU is shooting 58% from the field compare to Kansas’ 46%. The most staggering difference is in three-point shooting where the Wildcats are 4-8 (.500) while the Jawhawks are 2-11 (.182).

Tyrel Reed leads the Jawhawks with 14 points but it’s starting to look like it won’t be nearly enough. The one saving grace is that only one other player on the Wildcats is in double-figures. If they can find a way to shut down Pullen, they might be able to eek back into it.

For more on this game visit Rock Chalk Talk, Bring On The Cats, and SB Nation Kansas City.

Kansas Vs. Kansas State Score: Jacob Pullen Explodes, No. 1 In Trouble

The Kansas Jayhawks took the AP’s No. 1 ranking on the same day they traveled to play their in-state rivals in a fired-up road venue. Problem? Of course the Kansas St. Wildcats lead 42-33 at halftime. It’s a credit to the Jayhawks that K-State’s lead isn’t greater, as they’ve trailed by as many as 14 in the first half.

Jacob Pullen tore up Kansas’ defense for 23 points, including three threes, and kicked in two steals, three assists, two rebounds, and even a blocked shot. He’s obviously not getting a whole lot of scoring help from his teammates, but Pullen plus an amped Manhattan crowd have the Cats in the ballgame.

Both teams are shooting over 50 percent, because this is the Big 12. Expect a fast, high-scoring second half and a focus by Bill Self’s squad on obstructing Pullen and forcing other Wildcats to do some scoring.

For more on this game visit Rock Chalk Talk, Bring On The Cats, and SB Nation Kansas City.

No. 1 Kansas Vs. Kansas State: Valentine's Day Upset Underway?

GAME NOTES: The Kansas Jayhawks have lost just one game all season, and they continue their quest for the Big 12 Conference regular season title with tonight's contest at Kansas State.

Kansas has posted six consecutive victories since its lone defeat, an 11-point setback versus Texas. The Jayhawks, who are 24-1 overall and 9-1 in conference action, continue to trail the Longhorns by one game in the league standings. Considering the fact that Kansas is a perfect 7-0 in true road games, don't expect the team to be intimidated by the Manhattan crowd.

On Saturday, Kansas State suffered a heart-breaking 58-56 loss to Colorado on the road, halting a modest two-game win streak for the Wildcats. They are now just 4-6 in Big 12 play, overshadowing a 16-9 overall record. On a positive note, 12 of their 14 home games have resulted in wins, an obvious reason for confidence tonight.

Two weeks ago, Kansas crushed K-State by a 90-66 final, and the Jayhawks own a commanding 181-90 series lead over their in-state rivals.

There is no doubt that Kansas enters tonight's game significantly less than 100 percent. Josh Selby, the team's standout freshman guard, is expected to miss the tilt with an ankle injury, and his 12.0 ppg will be missed. Thomas Robinson (8.9 ppg, 6.4 rpg) will also be held out of action with a knee injury. Fortunately for head coach Bill Self, brothers Marcus and Markieff Morris will be in the lineup. Marcus is scoring 16.9 ppg on 60.9 percent shooting from the floor, and he is ripping down 7.0 rpg. As for Markieff, he provides 13.2 ppg and 8.5 rpg while shooting 59.4 percent. The Jayhawks are generating 83.9 ppg on 52.3 percent field goal efficiency, and they are limiting opponents to 64.0 ppg on 38.8 percent shooting. Marcus Morris paced four double-digit scorers for the Jayhawks in an 89-66 victory over Iowa State on Saturday, as he finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Markieff Morris added 14 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, while Tyshawn Taylor tallied 14 points and six assists as well. Brady Morningstar pitched in 13 points for Kansas, which shot 51.9 percent from the field and finished with 24 assists against nine turnovers.

Against Colorado on Saturday, Kansas State struggled mightily at the offensive end, shooting a mere 30.8 percent from the floor. Jamar Samuels tallied 13 points to go along with seven rebounds, while standout guard Jacob Pullen was held to 12 points on 4-of-12 shooting. Rodney McGruder pitched in 11 points for the Wildcats, who got only five points from Curtis Kelly. The troubled Kelly is currently the subject of a Kansas State Athletic Department investigation that could lead to his dismissal from the team, although a timetable for deciding whether or not he violated rules for substance abuse is unclear. Through 25 games, Pullen is netting 18.0 ppg to go along with 82 assists and 35 steals. McGruder checks in with 11.0 ppg as the only other double-digit scorer for the Wildcats, who are posting 72.8 ppg while allowing 65.7 ppg to opponents.

In what is sure to be a hard-fought battle from start to finish, give a narrow edge to the banged up Jayhawks. Slowing down the Morris brothers will be a tough task for the Wildcats.

GAME NOTES: The Kansas Jayhawks have lost just one game all season, and they continue their quest for the Big 12 Conference regular season title with tonight's contest at Kansas State.

FACTS & STATS: Site: Bramlage Coliseum (12,528) -- Manhattan, Kansas. Television: ESPN. Home Record: Kansas 13-1, Kansas State 12-2. Away Record: Kansas 7-0, Kansas State 3-5. Neutral Record: Kansas 4-0, Kansas State 1-2. Conference Record: Kansas 9-1, Kansas State 4-6. Series Record: Kansas leads, 181-90.

Kansas 76, Kansas State 70