College basketball this week: New No. 1 Kansas faces a road test

Sure, January has its drawbacks, particularly if you don’t like the cold.

But it’s a great month for college hoops fans, as its arrival means the ramping up of conference competition. This in turn means there are meaningful and hopefully entertaining contests on a nightly basis. Here are a few things to keep an eye on over the next few days.

Game to watch

No. 1 Kansas at Iowa State, Monday, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN

When the Jayhawks (16-1, 5-0 Big 12) take the court, they will be the newly minted No. 1. But their claim to the top ranking gets an immediate test in one of the Big 12’s toughest venues for visitors, Iowa State's Hilton Coliseum. The Cyclones (11-5, 3-2) lost Saturday at TCU, but they’ve won their first two conference games in Ames and have steady senior Monte Morris manning the point.

Kansas remains unscathed in Big 12 play despite some close calls, thanks in large measure to its own veteran floor leader Frank Mason III.

Kansas in line to rise to No. 1 following Baylor's first loss

No. 7 Duke's struggles continue vs. Louisville

Why don't Calipari, Pearl dislike each other?

Player to watch: Malik Monk, Kentucky

The Wildcats (15-2, 5-0 SEC) bring in a new crop of talent every year, but Monk’s long-range accuracy and knack for delivering in the clutch has distinguished him among this season’s rookie class.

He’s connecting at a 41.5% clip from beyond the arc, and his three-point prowess was on full display Saturday at home against Auburn, but he and his teammates have been a bit cooler from distance in recent road outings.

They’ll try to change that Tuesday night (7 p.m. ET, ESPN) at Mississippi State (12-4, 3-1).

Conference to watch: Big East 

The league takes the Monday holiday spotlight with a full slate of games on Fox Sports 1. Butler (15-3, 4-2) tips it off at home (noon ET) against Marquette (12-5, 3-2), but the following 2 p.m. contest might be the most important for its host squad.

Xavier (13-4, 3-2) endured a grueling week, resulting in consecutive road setbacks at Villanova (17-1, 5-1) and Butler. The Musketeers will be happy to be back in Cincinnati, but they face a red-hot Creighton (17-1, 4-1) team that features the nation’s assists leader in Maurice Watson Jr.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE WEEK IN COLLEGE HOOPS