Big 12 Basketball: Week in Review

In the past week of Big 12 basketball, each conference team went further in revealing its true character.  The Kansas Jayhawks revealed that they are capable of battling tremendous adversity along with toppling their opponents. Baylor showed that they might have a spark and an identity after all. Behind Mike Singletary, Texas Tech may be able to play the spoiler. After this week, Colorado looks down, whereas Nebraska looks up. See what each squad demonstrated in this weeks action:

Texas- this week the Texas Longhorns once again were bigger, stronger, and simply better than their opponents. The conference leaders’ improved to 6-0 this week with a win in Stillwater and another dominant performance against a ranked conference team in Missouri. The Longhorns strength and size continues to frustrate conference opponents and lure them out of their element. Jordan Hamilton and Tristan Thompson continued their artistry crashing the boards and scoring down low; the Longhorns currently rank 6^th in the country in rebounds per game. Hamilton finished with a double double in both of this week’s games, and Tristan Thompson scored in double figures in both and recorded a double double against Missouri. Texas’ defense performed in similar fashion as it did in the second half in Lawrence last week, and Missouri and Oklahoma State went completely cold as a result. The Cowboys scored a mere 46 points and shot just 32 percent in a loss dealt by the Horns. Moreover, the highest scoring team in the conference, Missouri, was held to 33 percent shooting and 58 points, both season lows for the Tigers. Some of Texas’ offensive efforts deserve mention as well, as they shot 6-11 from behind the arc against the Cowboys and 52 percent from the field against Missouri. Texas’ weakness, free throw shooting, was exposed this week when they shot 47 percent from behind the stripe against Missouri. But after rolling over Kansas, Texas A&M, and Missouri, thus far this season, Texas is entering the #1 seed discussion nationally by playing their winning brand of basketball.

Texas Tech- the fight to save Pat Knight’s job intensified this week as the Red Raiders showed quite a bit of life. The spark Wednesday night in Ames came from Mike Singletary whose 33 points were part of a 92-83 winning effort against the Iowa State Cyclones. Tech, 10^th in the conference in field goal percentage, was able to shoot 54 percent to drown Iowa State, who was dealt them their fifth Big 12 loss. Saturday, the Red Raiders were able to top Oklahoma State in an OT thriller in Stillwater. The last word went to the Red Raider’s John Roberson, whose three pointer with 53 seconds left was the difference in the game. Oklahoma State’s Kelton Page hit two free throws with 33 seconds left to pull the Cowboys closer, but Texas Tech still hung on to win 75-74. Singletary was the top performer again for the Red Raiders against the Cowboys, scoring 25 points.

Kansas- Losing to Texas is not the only hardship the Kansas basketball team had to overcome this week. The Jayhawks also dealt with a loss in their family, as sixth man Thomas Robinson’s mother passed away of a heart attack hours before their game against the Longhorns last week. But Kansas rebounded well this week, literally. The Jayhawks out-rebounded Colorado 37-23 and scored 21 second chance points in a close win at Boulder on Tuesday. The last game as both members of the conference, the Jayhawks went 29-1 against the Buffs during their tenure as a Big 12 school. Kansas’ lead was cut to as little as two in the second half, but the Jayhawks were more than efficient at the free throw line when it was needed. After the team attended the funeral Wednesday, Kansas next went to work on the state’s 150^th birthday against in-state foe Kansas State. The game was never close, perhaps due to the fact that the typically on-the-mark Jayhawks shot an impressive 61 percent from the field. Markieff Morris led Kansas in scoring with 20 points, as they topped the Wildcats 90-66.

Baylor- In a battle of disappointments on Monday, The Baylor Bears fell to Kansas State on the road 69-61. At 3-3 in Big 12 play, things were still looking awfully down for the Bears, who were ranked 14^th in the pre-season polls.  It still looked to be the same turnover-prone basketball that Baylor has played throughout this year. Still lacking any signature wins, things looked even further down when Baylor trailed Colorado by 14 at halftime on Saturday. Nonetheless, the second half in Waco could be what finally turns it around for Baylor. The Bears beat the Buffs 70-66, their first lead coming with 2:55 remaining. The rally, headed by LaceDarius Dunn now has Baylor at 4-3 in conference play, and in 4^th place in the standings. Dunn scored 26 points, and knocked down eight crucial free throws in the last two minutes to complete the Bears comeback. Perry Jones and Quincy Acy also scored in double figures as Baylor snapped a four game losing streak to North teams. Colorado on the other hand, is now on a four game skid after their surprising 3-0 start.

Nebraska- On Saturday, the Nebraska Cornhuskers proved why they are one of the conference’s best defensive teams. The Texas A&M Aggies have earned their keep by playing tough, physical, and aggressive basketball this season. Nonetheless, by holding Texas A&M to just 24 percent shooting in the second half, only 2 buckets in the last 10 minutes, and just 48 points overall, the Huskers were able to beat the Aggies at their own game. Other mistakes also hurt the Aggies, as they shot 42 percent from the free throw line and they committed 14 turnovers, whereas the Huskers committed just 7. The Huskers offense in the second half was on par with the defensive effort, as they shot 50 percent in the half, getting their best scoring effort from big man Jorge Brian Diaz, who finished with 16 points. Nebraska fans stormed the court in Lincoln, where the Huskers are 3-0 in conference play this year. The win broke an 11 game losing streak to ranked opponents for the Huskers.

Biggest Moment: The Baylor Bears badly needed a home victory over Colorado to turn their season around, and LaceDarius Dunn & Co. responded to the challenge after trailing for much of the game. The Bears came back from a deficit that was as high as 17. One of the players expected to carry this still talented and capable squad, LaceDarius Dunn, got to the foul line when it mattered and hit eight straight free throws in the last two minutes to cap off the Bears victory.

Player of the Week: For an effort that was much needed to move Baylor into fourth in the Big 12, LaceDarius Dunn’s 26 point, 6 assist effort against Colorado earns him the honors. Dunn, still one of the premier players in the conference is averaging 21 points a game this year and will be key if Baylor is to sustain success in the stretch run.

What to Watch For:

Texas @ Texas A&M Jan. 31- Big Monday features the re-match between the Longhorns and Aggies, which last time was a little lopsided to say the least. Texas defeated A&M 81-60 on Jan. 19, in a game they handled the entire way through. Since then, Texas has not skipped a beat, whereas the Aggies are recovering from a loss at Nebraska. Texas A&M stands a chance at home in College Station, where they have played very well this year. A&M does have the big men in Khris Middleton and David LouBeau to hang with Texas, but they will have to come out strong to handle a Longhorn team that is playing perhaps the best basketball of any team in the country. If A&M can start off right this time, look for a tough, physical, and enjoyable basketball game.

Baylor @ Texas A&M Feb. 5- If The Baylor Bears knock off Oklahoma on Wednesday, then at 5-3 in the Big 12, they are no doubt in the conversation once again as one of the conference’s tournament bid candidates. Winning this one would be of great importance, as it would give the Bears a signature win over a ranked team. Losing this one, however, would once again demonstrate Baylor’s ineptitude in playing teams anywhere near the RPI top 100.