The ISU men’s basketball team can take a big step toward earning a second consecutive Big 12 Conference title hosting Kansas Saturday, but may have to do so without All-American candidate point guard Jamaal Tinsley.The Cyclones, ranked seventh in the latest AP poll, enter Saturday’s showdown with a one-game lead on the Jayhawks. Two weeks ago, the Cyclones pulled out a 79-77 win over the Jayhawks in Lawrence.Tinsley left to go home to Brooklyn after Sunday’s victory over Missouri to be with his ailing grandmother who suffered a stroke. Tinsley’s status for Saturday’s game is still questionable.”It’s really up in the air whether [Tinsley] be here or not,” ISU coach Larry Eustachy said. “He left after the game Sunday and I’ve only heard from him once. His grandmother is struggling, and family is a high priority with Jamaal. It’s up to him about if he comes back for Saturday and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”If Tinsley doesn’t play, senior guard Kantrail Horton will take over the point guard duties. Horton has played some point guard during the year and averages 11.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.With Horton moving to point guard, the Cyclones will still have a new starter. Either swingman Shane Power could start in the backcourt or Richard Evans or Tyray Pearson in the front court.”I have a lot of confidence in Kantrail; he is one of the best in the conference,” Eustachy said. “But we’re going to have to do some aligning in the backcourt.”Eustachy felt that Tinsley struggled during the Missouri game and wants his senior leader to be ready mentally if he returns for Saturday’s game.”He really struggled through the Missouri game so I want him right out there,” Eustachy said. “But at the same time, if Kantrail gets four fouls, I’m not going to put my wife in. It’s a tough situation.”The Jayhawks have five players averaging in double figures, led by 16.5 points per game from senior Kenny Gregory. The Jayhawks’ second leading scorer is forward Drew Gooden, who is questionable due to a sprained wrist.Gooden sports an average of 15.6 points and 8.4 rebounds per contest. “Kansas has their problems also,” Eustachy said. “It’s the time of year where these things happen.”The Cyclones own a record of 21-3 and a 9-2 mark in the Big 12. Kansas is coming off an upset loss at Baylor that dropped the Jayhawks to 8-3 in the league and 19-4 overall. “I’m aware of where we are in the conference standings and who plays who,” Eustachy said. “We’re just taking it one game at a time and one practice at a time. We’ve had some good practices this week.”