Columbia, Mo. ? Yes, Kansas University’s basketball players knew No. 1-ranked North Carolina lost to Maryland on Saturday afternoon, hours before the Jayhawks’ game against their Border War rival, underdog Missouri.

“We watched it. Missouri watched it. You’d think after that Missouri’s players had their eyes open thinking, ‘That can be us,”’ KU senior Russell Robinson said after the No. 3-ranked Jayhawks took care of business by downing the Tigers, 76-70, at Mizzou Arena.

“It made the game a little more dangerous for us.”

No. 2-rated Memphis did defeat Mississippi State Saturday, meaning those Tigers may be ranked ahead of the Jayhawks, with the Tar Heels third come Monday.

“I think we’re the best team in the nation,” Robinson said after scoring eight points with five assists against four turnovers in 27 minutes. “I’ll always think that. Until we play the game (against Carolina), we won’t know.”

KU coach Bill Self said he did address the Carolina loss – and a few others – before the game.

“It’s not about Carolina,” he said. “I said it was a crazy day in college basketball. A&M goes to K-State and loses by 20. Oklahoma State goes to Ames and loses. USC beats UCLA. It was a crazy Saturday based on what I saw.”

Where should KU be ranked?

“I don’t know. I’d say now we should be ranked 2,” Self said of the obvious answer.

His team survived its Border War rival, making Self a happy man despite the fact KU hit 40 percent of its shots and missed 17 of 45 free throws.

“It was a good locker room,” Self said of the scene after the game. “One thing I like about our team is they (players) know if they played well or not. There’s satisfaction you win, but not as jubilant as last year. We played better here last year (in 92-74 victory).

KU will meet Iowa State at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Allen Fieldhouse.