Ranking Baylor's greatest threats in the Big 12

While losing twice last week is a blow to the Bears, Baylor isn’t alone in taking a step back in the Big 12. Baylor still controls its own destiny as far as the conference race goes. Here’s who could make that a difficult climb.

9. Oklahoma (8-14 overall; 2-8 Big 12)
It’s time to call the Sooners’ win in Morgantown a fluke- that one game a year every team is granted to make things interesting.

For as outstanding Jordan Woodard has been for OU, he’s no Buddy Hield and even Hield alone would have trouble elevating the Sooners enough. This is a young team with potential but that’s for another season, nothing too threatening now.

8. Texas (9-14; 3-7)
Once again, the Longhorns remain a mystery and are placed more on the conservative side in the rankings. Most of what works in their favor is Baylor traveling to Austin for the next meeting. Texas has only lost twice at home in the Big 12, giving both TCU and West Virginia a run for their money.

It’s a top 25 talent team that only shows up on occasion similar to Oklahoma in the sense of how green the roster is. Shaka Smart has kept game competitive for the most part, but his coaching can only take them so far.

7. TCU (16-7; 5-5)
After losing four-straight, the Horned Frogs have gotten back on track with two wins including an overtime victory over Kansas State on the road, playing much like Baylor did in Manhattan.

But Baylor has played well against TCU at home, especially with the football rivalry fueling the fan support- which is partly what helped TCU stay so competitive in Fort Worth against Baylor.

6. Oklahoma State (15-8; 4-6)
After starting winless in the Big 12, Brad Underwood has the Cowboys riding high on a five-game win streak including an impressive showing at West Virginia. Still, the question remains how long this is sustainable. We’ll find out Wednesday night when Baylor hits the road for Stillwater which has mounting support at the moment.

It’s most troubling for the Pokes that they haven’t really evolved beyond their guard play which attacked Baylor well last time. You have to imagine Scott Drew has a game plan to address Jawun Evans and Jeffrey Carroll and tame the rest of the court.

5. Texas Tech (16-7; 4-6)
A four-point loss at Texas isn’t enough to move the Red Raiders down too many pegs this week. Though, it does show that while some nights they’re red hot shooting, they can also throw bricks just as often.

Tech entered conference play as one of the most efficient shooting teams around but have struggled recently. Getting back on its home court should do a world of good to get Justin Gray and Zach Smith back on track with the ever-consistent Keenan Evans running the court.

4. Iowa State (14-8; 6-4)
Taking down Kansas in a roaring comeback, doing what Baylor couldn’t do just a few nights earlier does make for an impressive case for the Cyclones. But it really matters which ISU shows up against Baylor in Ames: The team that took down Kansas or the one that lost to Vanderbilt?

The Cyclones finally showed their seniority can overcome obstacles behind Monte Morris and Deonte Burton. For awhile, ISU looked like an NIT-team. Now they’re playing with a chip on its playing for a tournament bid, possibly the most dangerous thing about any team.

3. Kansas State (16-7; 5-5)
The only way Baylor plays the Wildcats again is the in the Big 12 tournament, and if the standings don’t change from Sunday, the only matchup is the conference championship.

That said, the most impressive aspect about the Wildcats is how they’ve found versatility down the depth chart. Baylor silenced D.J. Johnson for the most part Saturday but allowed Dean Wade and Kamau Stokes to make their own marks. If Baylor doubles up on them, Johnson’s free under the rim.

2. Kansas (20-3; 8-2)
Likely the most controversial slot this week considering the Jayhawks just took down Baylor. But this comes with a condition, Baylor needs to find its rhythm shooting again and stay away from positions which refs are likely to call foul. Had Kansas not been sent to the line nearly 30 times, Baylor could have won by at least a possession in Lawrence.

With the road trip crossed off the schedule, Baylor stands a much greater chance to knock down Kansas a peg and at least share the Big 12 title. But as long as Kansas is allowed to shoot at will from the arc and Baylor can’t respond, it remains a difficult task .

1. West Virginia (18-5; 6-4)
A loss to Oklahoma State doesn’t bode well for the Mountaineers, especially since they have to travel to Waco for the next meeting. That said, Kansas State proved Baylor’s not invincible at home and Press Virginia remains the only team that’s looked as dominant against the Bears.

There’s really no telling how well Scott Drew has learned how to adjust to the press this year since no one runs it like Bob Huggins- the unknown of that makes West Virginia the most threatening right now.