Big 12 Weekend Preview: Baylor’s Final Shot at Redemption
By Brian Spaen
Mar 02, 2013; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears head coach Scott Drew reacts during the second half against the Kansas State Wildcats at the Ferrell Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
It almost seemed certain that six Big 12 teams would have a great chance at making the NCAA Tournament. Both Kansas schools and Oklahoma State were ranked for the majority of conference play, Oklahoma played relatively well despite a slip up at Hilton Coliseum, Iowa State was winning everything at home, and Baylor won everything except a 3-game skid at the end of January.
But Baylor has fallen from a preseason top 25 ranking to a bubble team. Perhaps a Monday night loss against Texas finally popped the Bears’ bubble after falling narrowly to Kansas State a few nights before.
Losing five of the last six games, and even worse at eight of their last 11, Baylor has fallen on hard times and aren’t expected to make the big dance. But there’s a small light at the end of the tunnel.
This Saturday, the Bears will host 4th-ranked Kansas in Waco. If Baylor can rebound and get a victory, they already have a quarterfinal matchup set in the Big 12 Tournament against Oklahoma State. That’s two potential victories over top 25 teams, and then the next opponent in the semifinal could be Kansas State.
Baylor doesn’t have to win the Big 12 Tournament to make it into the dance. There’s still enough there in the strength of schedule (30th overall) and defeating a couple of ranked teams will improve their poor top 50 record of 1-10. But it has to happen now.
All games played on Saturday. Central times listed. Rankings reflect latest AP Poll.
Iowa State at West Virginia – 12:45 PM, Big 12 Network (WOI-TV)
Preview/prediction coming tomorrow morning.
Feb 23, 2013; Austin, TX, USA; Kansas State Wildcats guard Rodney McGruder (22) reacts against the Texas Longhorns during the first half at the Frank Erwin Special Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports
(9)Kansas State at (13)Oklahoma State – 12:45 PM, Big 12 Network (Altitude)
There’s still a chance for KSU to get the regular-season Big 12 crown, but they have to win a tough road game and hope that Kansas loses to a desperate Baylor team. Considering only Gonzaga and Kansas has beaten OSU in Stillwater, and the Wildcats struggled with George Washington and West Virginia to have a 7-2 road record, I’ll take a close Cowboy victory.
Cowboys 79, Wildcats 78
Texas at Texas Tech – 3:00 PM, Big 12 Network (WOI-TV)
The Longhorns pounded them when they weren’t any good in Austin, and there shouldn’t be much of a difference here. Myck Kabongo has another chance to impress before he has a shot to make a run in the conference tournament.
Longhorns 82, Red Raiders 61
Oklahoma at TCU – 4:00 PM, Sooner Sports Network/FOX Sports Southwest
Overall record gives Oklahoma’s in-state rivals the automatic 3-seed in the conference tournament since the team split their regular season series. Even when playing for nothing, the Sooners should roll and keep TCU’s lone victory against Kansas (which I’m still in awe over).
Sooners 74, Horned Frogs 61
(4)Kansas at Baylor – 5:00 PM, ESPN
With how hot Kansas has been since their mid-season collapse, it’s going to take a very inspired effort for Isaiah Austin and Baylor to get the must-win game at home. Since they’ve gone 3-8 in their last 11 games, I don’t see it happening.
Jayhawks 85, Bears 76
Clones Confidential Big 12 Power Rankings
- (4)Kansas (26-4, 14-3) LW: 1
- (9)Kansas State (25-5, 14-3) LW: 3
- (13)Oklahoma State (22-7, 12-5) LW: 2
- Iowa State (20-10, 10-7) LW: 4
- Oklahoma (20-9, 11-6) LW: 5
- Texas (14-16, 6-11) LW: 8
- Baylor (17-13, 8-9) LW: 6
- West Virginia (13-17, 6-11) LW: 7
- Texas Tech (10-18, 3-14) LW: 10
- TCU (10-20, 1-16) LW: 9
Quite a few changes this week in the poll. Iowa State evens itself out with the loss to Oklahoma by defeating Oklahoma State, and even though the Cyclones have a head-to-head win, the Cowboys’ overall resume is better. Basically: they both play good at home by I trust OSU a little more on the road. Plus I think there really is slightly better talent despite the win at Hilton Coliseum.
It’s really too little, too late for Texas, but they are much better than what their record shows. As Baylor fades into oblivion, it really looks like the separation from NCAA tournament contenders to the wannabes come in the middle of the rankings.