Baylor Basketball
Ranking Baylor's greatest threats in the Big 12
Baylor taking down two Big 12 opponents last week isn’t the only thing that went down with the conference. While the rankings don’t different that much from last week’s Threat Level: Big 12, the week was rather illuminating for who poses the most threat to the Bears.
9. Oklahoma State (11-8 overall; 1-6 Big 12)
The Cowboys finally picked up a win this week in conference and it was an impressive one at that against Texas Tech. Winning on the road by 19 against one of the nation’s most seasoned teams is most impressive. To no surprise, that was pulled off by stellar perimeter play on both ends of the court.
More impressive was that Jawun Evans wasn’t much of a factor. It was Jeffrey Carroll and Phil Forte that led the charge. But what had the Pokes higher on my list last week was the Bears traveling to Stillwater. So far, they’re winless at home against Big 12 opponents. If fans start showing more support, they’ll move up
8. Texas (7-12; 1-6)
It’d be too easy to put the last place Longhorns in the basement since their record states as much. This is still a team that can compete with anyone in the conference but their a bit too green right now, especially with their guard play. But Shaka Smart has done a remarkable job keeping the team’s spirit high. That counts for a lot in college basketball.
Visiting No. 2 Kansas on Saturday, the Longhorns kept the game within just a couple possessions for a majority of the game on the back of freshman phenom Jarrett Allen. If Allen performs like that when Baylor visits Austin, it could be a tough day considering how much a problem he caused in Waco.
7. Oklahoma (8-10; 2-5)
Despite being young, the Sooners have shown great resiliency recently with two overtime bouts in as many games. If a few more shots would have fallen against Iowa State, they’d be high on a three-game win streak. But going to two overtimes against the Cyclones should count for something, especially after taking down West Virginia on the road- one of the toughest locales, as the Bears know.
If Oklahoma were a 14-win team, Jordan Woodard would be heralded as one of the league’s top players more often. Typically the team’s only senior on the floor, he’s been the cause for the team’s recent rally. He manages the court well on offense but has also turned on the jets on defense too. He has 10 steals the past three games and is deadly as ever from bonus range.
6. Kansas State (15-4; 4-3)
Taking down West Virginia after Oklahoma did a few nights before would logically put the Wildcats even higher on this list considering the transitive property. But rarely does that work in college basketball. Different schemes work to greater or lesser effect on different team. As shown against Baylor at home while a Top 25 team, K-State may not be the greatest threat to Baylor.
While it’s impressive to have five players averaging double-digit points is impressive and D.J. Johnson is having yet another fantastic season, the Wildcats aren’t as imposing for Baylor especially playing on the road. But this is still a talented team that can take over a game when it notices any complacency (as was the case against the Mountaineers).
5. TCU (14-5; 3-4)
Playing in Fort Worth on Saturday, Baylor already knows this team shouldn’t be taken at face value. Winning by nine points on the road can’t make the Bears complacent when the Horned Frogs roll into town later. This is a team that will exchange threes if need be but its usually more conservative controlling the ball.
For as inexperienced as they are by-in-large, Jamie Dixon has a rather level-headed team that while it rallies around its leading scorer Vladimir Brodziansky as Baylor saw on Saturday, other players are prone to go off on a moment’s notice. Keep watching Waco-native Kenrich Williams who nearly averages a double-double in points and rebounds.
4. Texas Tech (14-5; 3-4)
One of two teams Baylor has not yet faced (but will on Wednesday), Texas Tech has an incredibly experienced and deep roster. That meant little when Oklahoma State dropped dimes all game but every team is allowed a couple off nights. It was essentially the Red Raiders’ version of Baylor’s meeting with West Virginia.
Wednesday night, Baylor can’t be on alert for just one player. For as much as Tech relies on the scoring of Keenan Evans at guard, this team uses a bevy of versatile forwards akin to Baylor’s Ish Wainright. As soon as they’ll play inside, Aaron Ross and Anthony Livingston can take it outside. Both shoot over 40 percent from beyond the arc, a rarity among forwards.
3. Iowa State (12-6; 4-3)
Here’s where the real threats to to unfold. While the Cyclones aren’t near as good as in years past and Baylor has owned Ames the past couple years, this is still a team to be on watch.
If Tech’s veteran roster has put the Big 12 on alert, the Cyclones are even more threatening with five seniors and a junior earning the most minutes. They’re the reason ISU is 4-3 in conference-play after entering with a 8-3 record. This is a new page in ISU’s schedule. The only losses came on the road and to a Kansas team that’s out of reach of most everyone in the nation. Whenever Monte Morris is involved, anything is possible.
2. West Virginia (15-4; 4-3)
Two losses in a week is not a good look for any team, yet Bob Huggins’ squad will remain high on the list until all the wheels fall off the bus. Maybe teams have finally caught on to the full court press that hurt Baylor so much in Morgantown, but it’s likely this was more of a one-time issue.
There’s really no way to gauge if Baylor is one of those teams that can catch on to that system since West Virginia’s press is one of a kind. It’s hard to ignore a game with 29 turnovers, especially when the Bears average 13 per game since then. It has slowed down, but those games still went worse than expected as far as ball control is concerned.
1. Kansas (18-1; 7-0)
Death, taxes, a good Kansas team.
I won’t say that the next guarantee in life is a Jayhawks Big 12 title since the Bears are well alive in that race. But Baylor has yet to play Kansas and that has the Jayhawks as a bit of an unknown. They were almost taken down by Texas’s young guns but Kansas is still a team that can do it all.
9. Oklahoma State (11-8 overall; 1-6 Big 12)
The Cowboys finally picked up a win this week in conference and it was an impressive one at that against Texas Tech. Winning on the road by 19 against one of the nation’s most seasoned teams is most impressive. To no surprise, that was pulled off by stellar perimeter play on both ends of the court.
More impressive was that Jawun Evans wasn’t much of a factor. It was Jeffrey Carroll and Phil Forte that led the charge. But what had the Pokes higher on my list last week was the Bears traveling to Stillwater. So far, they’re winless at home against Big 12 opponents. If fans start showing more support, they’ll move up
8. Texas (7-12; 1-6)
It’d be too easy to put the last place Longhorns in the basement since their record states as much. This is still a team that can compete with anyone in the conference but their a bit too green right now, especially with their guard play. But Shaka Smart has done a remarkable job keeping the team’s spirit high. That counts for a lot in college basketball.
Visiting No. 2 Kansas on Saturday, the Longhorns kept the game within just a couple possessions for a majority of the game on the back of freshman phenom Jarrett Allen. If Allen performs like that when Baylor visits Austin, it could be a tough day considering how much a problem he caused in Waco.
7. Oklahoma (8-10; 2-5)
Despite being young, the Sooners have shown great resiliency recently with two overtime bouts in as many games. If a few more shots would have fallen against Iowa State, they’d be high on a three-game win streak. But going to two overtimes against the Cyclones should count for something, especially after taking down West Virginia on the road- one of the toughest locales, as the Bears know.
If Oklahoma were a 14-win team, Jordan Woodard would be heralded as one of the league’s top players more often. Typically the team’s only senior on the floor, he’s been the cause for the team’s recent rally. He manages the court well on offense but has also turned on the jets on defense too. He has 10 steals the past three games and is deadly as ever from bonus range.
6. Kansas State (15-4; 4-3)
Taking down West Virginia after Oklahoma did a few nights before would logically put the Wildcats even higher on this list considering the transitive property. But rarely does that work in college basketball. Different schemes work to greater or lesser effect on different team. As shown against Baylor at home while a Top 25 team, K-State may not be the greatest threat to Baylor.
While it’s impressive to have five players averaging double-digit points is impressive and D.J. Johnson is having yet another fantastic season, the Wildcats aren’t as imposing for Baylor especially playing on the road. But this is still a talented team that can take over a game when it notices any complacency (as was the case against the Mountaineers).
5. TCU (14-5; 3-4)
Playing in Fort Worth on Saturday, Baylor already knows this team shouldn’t be taken at face value. Winning by nine points on the road can’t make the Bears complacent when the Horned Frogs roll into town later. This is a team that will exchange threes if need be but its usually more conservative controlling the ball.
For as inexperienced as they are by-in-large, Jamie Dixon has a rather level-headed team that while it rallies around its leading scorer Vladimir Brodziansky as Baylor saw on Saturday, other players are prone to go off on a moment’s notice. Keep watching Waco-native Kenrich Williams who nearly averages a double-double in points and rebounds.
4. Texas Tech (14-5; 3-4)
One of two teams Baylor has not yet faced (but will on Wednesday), Texas Tech has an incredibly experienced and deep roster. That meant little when Oklahoma State dropped dimes all game but every team is allowed a couple off nights. It was essentially the Red Raiders’ version of Baylor’s meeting with West Virginia.
Wednesday night, Baylor can’t be on alert for just one player. For as much as Tech relies on the scoring of Keenan Evans at guard, this team uses a bevy of versatile forwards akin to Baylor’s Ish Wainright. As soon as they’ll play inside, Aaron Ross and Anthony Livingston can take it outside. Both shoot over 40 percent from beyond the arc, a rarity among forwards.
3. Iowa State (12-6; 4-3)
Here’s where the real threats to to unfold. While the Cyclones aren’t near as good as in years past and Baylor has owned Ames the past couple years, this is still a team to be on watch.
If Tech’s veteran roster has put the Big 12 on alert, the Cyclones are even more threatening with five seniors and a junior earning the most minutes. They’re the reason ISU is 4-3 in conference-play after entering with a 8-3 record. This is a new page in ISU’s schedule. The only losses came on the road and to a Kansas team that’s out of reach of most everyone in the nation. Whenever Monte Morris is involved, anything is possible.
2. West Virginia (15-4; 4-3)
Two losses in a week is not a good look for any team, yet Bob Huggins’ squad will remain high on the list until all the wheels fall off the bus. Maybe teams have finally caught on to the full court press that hurt Baylor so much in Morgantown, but it’s likely this was more of a one-time issue.
There’s really no way to gauge if Baylor is one of those teams that can catch on to that system since West Virginia’s press is one of a kind. It’s hard to ignore a game with 29 turnovers, especially when the Bears average 13 per game since then. It has slowed down, but those games still went worse than expected as far as ball control is concerned.
1. Kansas (18-1; 7-0)
Death, taxes, a good Kansas team.
I won’t say that the next guarantee in life is a Jayhawks Big 12 title since the Bears are well alive in that race. But Baylor has yet to play Kansas and that has the Jayhawks as a bit of an unknown. They were almost taken down by Texas’s young guns but Kansas is still a team that can do it all.
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