Big 12 Tournament Bracket: Previewing Kansas vs. Baylor

The Baylor Bears have another shot at taking down the beasts in the Big 12 when they take on the Kansas Jayhawks in the semifinals of the conference tournament on Friday. 

Baylor had little problem with Kansas State in the quarterfinals. Perry Jones III had his best game as a Bear, scoring 31 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, to carry the offense. This team has had problems this season against ranked teams, namely Kansas and Missouri, so this is their chance for redemption. 

What was supposed to be a rebuilding year in Kansas has turned into an outstanding season. The Jayhawks won the Big 12 regular season title and can secure a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament with a strong showing in the conference tournament. 

Here is a breakdown of what both teams need to do to come out on top in the semifinals of the Big 12 Tournament. 

Baylor's Key Player: F Perry Jones III

Jones has been the victim of criticism this season because of the perception that he is soft. He did all he could to silence those critics against Kansas State, but the skeptics are just sitting in the weeds, waiting for him to fall on his face in this game. 

He is the key to Baylor's offense. If the Jayhawks are able to get in his head early, it will throw him off for the entire game. 

Kansas' Key Player: F Thomas Robinson 

Robinson has been the most consistent player for the Jayhawks all season. He leads the team in scoring (18.0) and rebounding (11.8) this season. He kicked off the tournament with 19 points and 10 rebounds. 

No one creates matchup problems for opposing teams in the Big 12 like Robinson. His size and athleticism have made him one of the most feared players in the country, and he will show Baylor what he is capable of. 

Baylor's X-Factor: G Brady Heslip

The Bears are not strong enough on defense to hold down Kansas, so it is imperative that all their shooters come out ready to play.

Heslip has a great shot that allows him to shoot for a high percentage, particularly behind the arc. He has made 43 percent of his three-point shots this season, and Baylor is going to need that production in this game. 

In 41 minutes against Kansas this season, Heslip has scored just three points. If he does that again in this game, it will be a long evening for Baylor. 

Kansas' X-Factor: G Travis Releford

The Jayhawks have an unbalanced offensive attack. Robinson and Tyshawn Taylor combine for 35 points per game, while everyone else pitches in close to 40. 

Releford has improved his game dramatically this season, which is why he has taken on an increased role. Playing nearly 31 minutes per game, he averages 8.6 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. 

He is not a dynamic player—he doesn't have a great shot—but he knows how to find high-percentage looks that help him score. 

Releford can take a lot of pressure off the two superstars by hitting shots early, forcing Baylor to put more bodies on him and freeing up Robinson and Taylor. 

Prediction

Baylor's confidence is as high as it has been all season, but Kansas is too deep and more athletic. 

Kansas 78, Baylor, 73

Big 12 Tournament Bracket

Opening Round, Wednesday, March 7

No. 9 Texas A&M def. No. 8 Oklahoma, 62-53

No. 7 Oklahoma State def. No. 10 Texas Tech, 76-60

Quarterfinals, Thursday, March 8

No. 1 Kansas def. No. 9 Texas A&M, 83-66

No. 4 Baylor def. No. 5 Kansas State, 82-74

No. 6 Texas def. No. 3 Iowa State, 71-65

No. 2 Missouri def. Oklahoma State, 88-70

Semifinals, Friday, March 9 (ESPN U)

No. 1 Kansas vs. No. 4 Baylor, 7:30 p.m. EDT

No. 2 Missouri vs. No. 6 Texas, 10:00 p.m. EDT

Finals, Saturday, March 10 (ESPN)

Kansas-Baylor Winner vs. Missouri-Texas Winner, 5:30 p.m. EDT

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