Big 12 Tournament 2012: Biggest Stumbling Blocks to a Kansas Title Run

Kansas is easily the best team in the Big 12.

No sane college basketball fan would question that. Thomas Robinson is arguably the best player in the nation and, alongside Tyshawn Taylor and Jeff Withey, KU is a different animal than the rest of the conference. But if the Jayhawks' wings were to get clipped, here are the teams most likely to do so.

3. Baylor

The Bears only sneak on to the list because of their immense talent. Pierre Jackson and Perry Jones III are two major NBA prospects. But in Baylor’s two meetings with the Jayhawks this season, they were beaten down by a combined total of 32 points.

When They’d Face Off: Friday, March 9th at 6:30 p.m. EST

2. Iowa State

ISU isn’t nearly as talented as the Bears, but they’re one of only two Big 12 teams to have knocked off Kansas in the regular season. After losing to them 82-73 at Allen Field house, Iowa State successfully defended their home court on January 28th in a 72-64 victory. The Cyclones can’t be counted out if they fight their way to the conference championship.

When They’d Face Off: Saturday, March 10th at 5:00 p.m. EST

1. Missouri

Like Iowa State, Missouri would only match up with the Jayhawks in the title game. 

The Tigers are the other Big 12 team that dealt Kansas a loss earlier this season. At KU on February 25th, Missouri fell to the Jayhawks in overtime by just one point. They don’t boast the pro prospects that Bill Self’s crew does, but they’ve shown that they’re more than capable of upsetting Kansas and taking home the conference crown.

When They’d Face Off: Saturday, March 10th at 5:00 p.m. EST

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

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