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Kansas looks to continue hot run vs. improving Iowa State

Jan 13, 2007 - 3:26 PM No. 6 Kansas (14-2) at Iowa St (11-5) 2:00 pm EST

AMES, Iowa (Ticker) - Kansas finally is living up to its lofty preseason expectations.

The sixth-seeded Jayhawks aim for their ninth consecutive win Saturday when they face Iowa State in their Big 12 Conference road opener.

Ranked third in the preseason polls, Kansas (14-2, 1-0 Big 12) disappointed early in the season with losses to Oral Roberts and DePaul. However, since their early struggles, the Jayhawks have reeled off their last eight contests by an average of 20 points.

Kansas routed No. 10 Oklahoma State, 87-57, in a matchup between two of the top teams in the Big 12 on Wednesday. Brandon Rush scored 18 points to lead the Jayhawks.

The Cyclones (11-5, 2-0) also are playing their best basketball of the campaign. They have won four straight contests, including a 71-62 victory over Nebraska on Wednesday.

Along with a win at Missouri on Saturday, Iowa State will look to open its conference season with three straight wins for the first time since 1999-2000, when it finished 32-5.

Kansas has dominated the series dating to 1908, going 160-58.