Player of the Week
Ochai Ogbaji, Kansas
Very few teams in the Big 12 have played anyone of note so far in the early part of the season. Kansas has, as they defeated Michigan State 87-74. While it was a solid win against an unranked team, it was really a coming-out party for Ogbaji. The 6’5 guard showed tremendous scoring ability, burning the Spartans for a game-high 29 points on 9-17 shooting, and 3-6 shooting from deep. The junior completely took over the game and did an excellent job of when to take a jump shot versus attacking the rim. He was tenacious in transition and showcased the burst and athleticism that makes him such a tough player to guard. Kansas is full of great players, but after the start to the season for Ogbaji, it looks like Kansas is his team. Capable of defending multiple positions, the Missouri native snagged two steals in the win as well. Kansas dominated Tarleton State in the second game of the season, where Ogbaji put up 25 points. If he can continue his stellar start to the season, he will be flying up draft boards faster than he can go up for a huge dunk.
Who’s Hot
College Basketball fans
As mentioned in the Player of the week, the college basketball season usually starts out with very few consequential matchups. Big 12 teams have played Houston Baptist, Northwestern State, McNeese, and more opponents that won’t hold any weight on resumes come March. Still, college basketball fans are victorious because not only is basketball back, but so are games with fans. Real, living, screaming, cheering, fans. There isn’t a cardboard cutout to be seen, and it is truly a sight to behold. Plus, there have been some big matchups already. One featured the Big 12 as No. 1 Gonzaga defeated No. 5 Texas at home. Plus, there were already some massive upsets, as No. 4 Michigan fell to unranked Seton Hall at home, while No. 12 Oregon was humbled as BYU beat them by 32 points. Once again, college basketball provides so much intrigue, excitement, heartbreak, and as always, madness. There is also arguably more parody this year than any other, with less clear favorites for the title than usual. Gonzaga still stands out, but so many teams have the ability to breakout, or wilt, depending on who can step up. With fans once again cheering their teams on in-person, games starting again and added parody, all fans of college basketball are the winners, regardless of the in-game results.
Who’s Not
No. 8 Texas Longhorns
The Texas Longhorns fell to top-ranked Gonzaga 86-74 in Spokane. Losing to the nation’s best team, especially on the road, isn’t what lands them here. It was how they lost. They were completely dominated on both sides of the ball and were down 20 by half. They played with more spirit in the second half, but it wasn’t nearly enough. The Longhorns were outscored by double in the paint, losing that battle 44-22, and junior forward Drew Timme dropped 37 points on 15-19 shooting. Other than transfer Timmy Allen nobody in burnt orange scored more than 11 points. Early season tests are difficult especially for a team with so many new players, but they looked miles away from a Gonzaga team that should only get better as their five-star freshman gain experience. Texas should have serious title aspirations, as they have one of the most talented and deepest rosters in the sport. However, their loss showcased how far they need to go to keep up with the Bulldogs, and other elite teams.
Top Five Coaches in the Conference
5. Porter Moser, Oklahoma Sooners
A newcomer to the Big 12, Moser made a name for himself by leading the No. 11 seed Loyola Chicago to a shocking Final Four run in the 2017-2018 season. He is so good at getting the most out of his players and saw many of his players improve drastically during his tenure. Moser won the Coach of the Year Award in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) and won the MVC regular season three of his final for years at Loyola-Chicago. He started as an assistant coach almost immediately after finishing his playing career at Creighton. Moser has been a coach since 1990, and those years of experience should help him succeed in the Big 12.
4. Chris Beard. Texas Longhorns
Beard just switched from one Texas team to another. Before his start in the state’s capital, Beard flourished as the head coach of the Red Raiders. He made it all the way to the final in 2019 before falling to Virginia in overtime. He is much more accomplished than just one magical run in March, as he has won over 200 games, has won more than 70% of his games, and was named the Big 12 Coach of the Year twice. He helped a team that struggled for years before his arrival come within inches of reaching the pinnacle of the sport. Beard coached multiple draft picks at his time in Lubbock and should have plenty more with the Longhorns. His ability to create favorable matchups for his players stands out, and his teams always play with hustle and intensity. The passionate leading man of the Longhorns should boost his resume even further in the coming years with a plethora of young talent on the roster.
3. Bob Huggins, West Virginia
Huggins has been the head coach at “Press Virginia” since 2007. The 68-year-old is one of just six coaches to ever reach 900 wins and has been to 23 of the last 26 NCAA tournaments, and 24 total. The longtime coach has crafted an identity that seems to be woven into the hardwood in Morgantown: intense defense. Huggins has used the press seemingly more than anyone else in the country, usually to great results. Huggins shows players how to be elite defenders with positioning, effort, and smart play. Huggins, who was born in Morgantown, has one of the most storied careers in the sport. He is just the second coach to reach 300 wins at two schools and has been to two Final Fours. The Coach of the Year in the Big 12 in 2015, Huggins has stacked up accolades and wins like few other coaches. Unfortunately, Huggins has never won a national title.
2. Scott Drew, Baylor Bears
Drew is on the shortlist of best coaches in the country, especially after leading the Bears to a National Title by thrashing Gonzaga in the final. The two-time Big 12 Coach of the Year, Drew helped Jared Butler, Davion Mitchell, and MaCio Teague reach their full potential. Just six wins shy of 400 for his career, Drew has been a great coach since he began at Valparaiso in 2002. The Bears coach since 2003, Drew has truly built a program from the ground up and has now seen the results of his years of effort. With likely draft picks Kendall Brown and Matthew Mayer on the Bears, Drew will have his hopes high for this season. Drew is a tremendous leader and communicator and has really found his groove in Waco the last few seasons. He has led Baylor to consistently aim for greater heights, until they won it all last year. Even with losing so much talent from that team, Drew’s ability to put players in a position to succeed should give Baylor a shot at repeating.
1. Bill Self, Kansas
Could it have been anyone else? Self has won a National Title, eight Big 12 tournaments, 15 Big 12 regular season championships, two AP Coach of the Year Awards, six Big 12 Coach of the Year Awards and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017. What a historic career it has been for Self, who has guided Kansas to be one of the most consistent power houses in recent memory. A blue blood of the sport in every way imaginable, Kansas won the Big 12 regular season for 14 consecutive seasons, an NCAA record. Self has coached so many draft picks, its almost hard to count them all. The Jayhawks are always in the title conversation, and that is mainly because of the recruiting and coaching of Self. One of the best coaches in the country, Self has showcased that he is the best coach in the conference.