Big 12 Basketball Week in Review: Jan. 24, 2011

What’s the bigger story in Austin this week: the new, lucrative TV network deal or the fact that the Longhorns are scary good on the basketball court?

Sure, there were other games, but the Texas Longhorns used this week to tear the conference apart.

Let's recap the past week of hoops in Austin, Lawrence and wherever.

Texas

Needless to say, Texas just could not wait this week—could not wait to beat two of the league’s best squads, taking the conference by storm and showing that this might be the Big 12’s best basketball team.

The Longhorns' first big win was Wednesday night in Austin, in which they dinked and dunked all over the Texas A&M Aggies 81-60. Jordan Hamilton and Tristan Thompson delivered a crushing one-two punch, as Hamilton scored 27 and Thompson scored 18 in the game, a game in which the Horns led by as much as 23.

The Longhorns shot a very impressive 58 percent from the field. Texas A&M, fresh off a win over Missouri and on a 13-game winning streak, came out awfully flat.

But rolling into Kansas’ Allen Fieldhouse, where the Longhorns themselves were 0-for-9 all-time, and all Kansas’ opponents were 0 for their last 69 in a place that knows how to rock and chalk, Texas stood a big test—a test they passed with highest honors. The Horns overcame a 12-point halftime deficit to take down the Big 12’s lone undefeated team, their home win streak and quite likely their designation as the team to beat in the Big 12.

Kansas rode high on the home court energy in a first half in which they led by as much as 15. If the Jayhawks were to lose any games this year, it was going to have to be a result of a clamp down on the sharpshooting clinics they put on most every night.

Kansas, averaging 52.4 percent from the field this season, was held to 36 percent in the game, 8-of-30 in the different tale of a second half. Texas, on the other hand, shot 46 percent and defensively gave Kansas trouble and nailed the source of their offense's flow.

Texas' bench supplied J’Covan Brown, who scored 23 points. Also, Texas was able to get to the free throw line significantly more, and they took advantage of Kansas’ charity in what truly was a second half collapse for last week’s No. 2 nationally ranked squad. Texas is 4-0 in Big 12 play.

Kansas

The home win streak was ended, they went completely cold in the second half and the Jayhawks were purely bested by Texas. Knowing that, however, Kansas’ Big Monday still deserves mention. The Jayhawks drilled Baylor 85-65, as the Morris twins in particular and their basketball team was seemingly unable to miss a shot. They shot a ridiculous 79 percent in the first half and 63 percent overall in the game.

The play the Jayhawks showed against Baylor was the Kansas team that looked and truthfully still looks to be one of the country’s top-tier squads. What’s downright scary is what Bill Self could do to motivate what is still a ridiculously good basketball team after their first loss.

Colorado

Cory Higgins, Alec Burks and the Buffaloes' impressive 3-0 start in Big 12 play seemed very promising a week back. The Buffs seemed highly capable of scoring the basketball and playing with an energy that could match that of a team like Missouri. But after a week that included a loss to lowly Oklahoma, it may all be a mirage.

Colorado can score, but this team's legitimacy relied on its ability to defend. In losing to Nebraska and Oklahoma, the Buffs allowed Nebraska to shoot 56 percent and Oklahoma to shoot 52 percent. Both games were tests on the road but were against the kinds of teams Colorado had to continue to beat to make a run.

Missouri

The overtime loss to Texas A&M last week was rough for the Tiger basketball team in no doubt a statement game for both squads. Nonetheless, Missouri went back to work this week, taking full advantage of the home court in Columbia. Iowa State on Saturday and Kansas State on Big Monday were no match, as the Wildcats went down 75-59 and Iowa State was thrashed 87-54.

Altogether, 80 minutes of hell were spent on Norm Stewart Court this week. First, it has to be hell for other teams to play Missouri when they commit 19 (ISU) or as many as 24 (K-State) turnovers, as these two basketball teams did. Second, Missouri is looking to make any game hell in which their point guard play is as solid as it was this week and in which Ricardo Ratliffe continues his newfound success in his role down low for the Tigers.

Michael Dixon and Phil Pressey shot a combined 47 percent from downtown in the two ballgames, and Ratliffe was a threat on both ends of the floor, a career-high six blocked shots against ISU serving as his biggest contribution.

Missouri’s style of play continues to be energetic and exciting, yet perplexing at the same time. A team that gets out-rebounded often, turnovers become the key in any Missouri game. For Missouri’s sake, they hope to force plenty in a big game in Austin, which they have until Saturday to prepare for.

Player of the Week

Jordan Hamilton is a rather ripe pick for Big 12 player of the week. Scoring 27 against Texas A&M and 17 against Kansas, Hamilton is one of the conference’s best, and the Horns know very well how to create his shot. The kid can also rebound and dish and is so crucial to the Longhorns’ success.

Biggest Moment

Down 35-23 at halftime at a rowdy Allen Fieldhouse, the Texas Longhorns made it seem a 70th consecutive home win was inevitable for Kansas. But a second-half turnaround was invigorated by J’Covan Brown, whose second three-point shot amidst a 13-2 run gave Texas its first lead with 10:39 left. Brown led Texas with 23 points as the Horns impressively adjusted to frustrate Kansas on both ends of the floor in the second half.

What to Watch for

Baylor @ Kansas State Jan. 24

Two disappointing basketball teams, who were both ranked in the preseason Top 15. Kansas State lacks leadership and is really reeling, and at 1-4 in league play, the Wildcats seem out of the picture. Baylor is 3-2 but still struggles at the point guard position and has yet to win a game against any formidable opponent. But a Big Monday game in Manhattan should prove entertaining.

These teams still have plenty of talent, and it's believable one is capable of turning it around and getting a bid come March. But neither of these teams can afford to be kicked again while it is still down.

Missouri @ Texas Jan. 29

It is becoming safer to say that Missouri, Texas A&M, Kansas and Texas are the class of the league. Essentially, Missouri is the team Texas has not had the chance to dominate yet after last week. But Missouri played very well after a loss, and Texas’ play by now is well documented.

The story of this game will be size vs. speed. A smaller Missouri team will have to battle to make up for the sheer size and strength Hamilton and Thompson bring to the table. But Texas will also have to find a way to beat Missouri, whose weapon is the whim of Mike Anderson’s style of play and its ability to create turnovers.

Missouri can cause an up-tempo game in which the Horns could struggle to create looks and take care of the ball. But Texas is also capable of shooting well, defending even better and dominating the boards. Should be a fun one.