Coach Bill Self preaches to his team about not overlooking weaker opponents.

So after the Jayhawks’ 75-64 victory against Nebraska, it was surprising to hear what Self had to say about looking forward to Monday’s match-up against Texas.

“I don’t want to take anything away from Nebraska, but it was one of those games, ‘Let’s get through this game so we can get to that game,’” he said.

The No. 1 Jayhawks visit the once top-ranked Longhorns, who have lost four of their last six games. They fell to fourth place in the Big 12, three games behind the Jayhawks. Despite Texas’ recent decline, the game still means a lot to Kansas.

“Even though they lost, they’re still a top-ten team to me,” sophomore forward Marcus Morris said. “They’re still a top-ten team to all of us.”

The Jayhawks had a rough outing against the Cornhuskers, getting by thanks to a 28-5 run in the second half. The Jayhawks only mustered one more rebound than the physically smaller opponent.

Against Texas, Morris said, that effort isn’t going to fly.

“There’s no way we can let Texas get so many offensive rebounds or we won’t come out with a victory,” he said. “It’s going to be a dog fight so everyone has to go to the glass.”

Self said playing an abundance of games for the past couple weeks in hostile environments may have caused the lack of energy against Nebraska.

But with only a 40-minute practice on Sunday, Self said he hopes to have his team recharged for Monday.

“We’ll try to have fresh minds and fresh legs going to Austin,” he said.

Looking at what the Jayhawks have been through in the past couple weeks, senior guard Sherron Collins said they can win close games when things aren’t going right and survive in harsh environments.

It took a visit to the first team that beat Texas to brace them for what Monday’s crowd might have in store.

“I think K-State prepared us for the crowd,” Collins said. “I haven’t heard any louder place in my four years. I think the crowd and the way they played prepared us for the game against Texas.”

The past few seasons usually have been kind to the home team except for Kansas beating Texas in Austin to win the Big 12 championship. The ability to play a No.1 team and their recent losses might have Texas hungrier than usual.

“They’re going to be ready for us,” Collins said. “It’s going to be a man’s game.”

After Saturday’s game, the players had a lot to say about Texas, almost more so than the opponent they faced. Morris said he had this one circled on his calendar for a while.

“We never look past any opponent, but this is the one we wanted,” he said.

— Edited by Kelly Gibson