Player of the Week
Damion Baugh, TCU Horned Frogs
Baugh, a 6’4 guard, averages just over ten points per game on the season. He is a productive but unspectacular player for an unranked, mediocre team. This leads to less recognition for a player well deserving of it, being a vital piece of the Horned Frog’s rejuvenation. Baugh turned in two great performances, averaging 18.5 points between games against Kansas State and at Oklahoma. It was the game against the Sooners where he really shined, scoring 20 points on 8-13 shooting, eight rebounds, an assist, and a steal. The junior from Nashville, Tennessee doubled his scoring averaged on the season against Oklahoma and did so in a game where their leading scorer, Mike Miles had an off night. Baugh was great on the offensive end, which was so important for a TCU team that relies so heavily on the starting five to generate their points. The Horned Frogs have leapt over preseason expectations and are in line to make March Madness for the first time since 2018.
Who’s Hot
Kansas Jayhawks
Kansas vs. Baylor was supposed to be a back-and-forth slugfest between two top-ten squads that are blue blood in the conference. Instead, No. 10 Kansas demolished No. 8 Baylor, routing them 83-59 at Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks’ best players were exceptional, as Ochai Agbaji and Christian Braun combined for 36 points, 19 rebounds and nine assists in the blowout. Jalen Wilson had a strong game as well, as he poured in 15 points on 70% shooting, grabbed seven rebounds, four assists and two steals. After losing by 18 to Kentucky, Kansas has made two convincing statements that they are better than that showing against the Wildcats. Agbaji looks like a lottery pick, and Braun recaptured his excellent form as well. If Kansas can get Wilson to play like he did against Baylor, they will be extremely potent on offense. With the number one scorer in the conference flanked by two great wings, a powerful big man, and a spark plug at the point guard position. On the other side of the court, Baylor needs to reevaluate, as their season seems to be in a nosedive. James Akinjo shot 0-11, while two other starters combined for ten points on 3-15 shooting. That offensive ineptitude is a real problem, and one that needs to be fixed immediately if Baylor wants to cut down the nets again this year.
Texas Tech Red Raiders
Winners of three straight games, the Red Raiders have been red hot. The beat a ranked Texas team by 13 before defeating the Mountaineers in Morgantown. They have played smart basketball on both ends of the court, They move the ball well on offense, they rarely dribble too often, and there is constant movement. The flow and motion of the offense can create problems for defenses, especially when there isn’t just one player to key in on. Their unselfishness gets players open looks, and their tenacity on defense helps generate transition opportunities. They have five players averaging at least one steal per game, and they are so disruptive in the passing lanes. It can be infuriating for opposing offenses to get the ball handler switched onto a different matchup, just for the newest defender to be a long, rangy athlete that keeps his arms spread out and is engaged. The biggest win, however, might have come off the court. The Red Raider faithful flooded the United Supermarkets Arena when they took on the Longhorns. That isn’t surprising as they were playing a ranked, in-state rival. The fans had more to cheer about than just points, as former head coach Chris Beard, who left Texas Tech to join Texas, is now public enemy number one in Lubbock. The fans were raucous and got to leave happy as they saw Beard and his squad be defeated. That game might have helped create an atmosphere that can be one of the loudest in the country. If the crowd noise stays the same as when it is fueled by hatred, it is another advantage for the cohesive squad.
Who’s Not
Marcus Carr, Texas Longhorns
It was a rough offensive week for many individuals in the Big 12. Just three players scored over 20 in a game this week, while teams were held well under their season average. Fox example, Iowa State was held to just 41 points against the Longhorns. Thinking about it as more of a big picture however, one of the more troubling seasons in the Big 12 is Longhorn point guard Marcus Carr. The Minnesota transfer was highly sought after thanks to his nearly 20 points per game in his junior season with the Golden Gophers. He was seen as one of the sport’s best closers, and his athleticism and tenacity jumped off the screen. His flaws, namely inefficient scoring and too many turnovers were overlooked because of the highlight reel plays and high scoring games. Those flaws have become much more prominent as Carr hasn’t found his place in the Texas offensive ecosystem. The 6’2 guard has averaged 11.1 points and 3.5 assists per game while shooting below 40% from the floor and 34.4% from deep. While the percentages are actually slightly better than last season, his scoring is way down. The lack of scoring makes the shooting percentages much worse and is exacerbated by more than two turnovers per game. His field goal percentage is eleventh worst in the conference for those who have taken enough shots, and his three-point percentage is 25th worst. Basically Carr went from a high-flying, stat sheet stuffing potential draft pick to an inefficient, turnover prone player who has no shot at being taken in the draft. It is always challenging to see a player who had shown promise return for their senior season and struggle, but Carr is actively hurting the Longhorn’s offense with his decision making and shot selection.
Top Five All Defensive Team
After last week’s perfect starting five that was mostly offensive focused (as much of basketball is) this week will be focused on constructing the best defensive starting five in the Big 12. As the sport has transitioned into a positionless game, there will be special emphasis on versatility and switchability.
Point Guard
Rondel Walker, Oklahoma State Cowboys
Walker has seen his offensive numbers take a dip from his freshman to his sophomore season, but his defense certainly hasn’t. The 6’4 guard has the perfect length to defend either guard position, and has the stats (1.7 steals per game) to show for it. He has elite athleticism, showcased with a 39.5-inch vertical coming out of high school. The speed, verticality, and agility he presents is fantastic for hounding ball handlers and keeping teams out of easy transition chances.
Shooting Guard
Taz Sherman, West Virginia Mountaineers
When you think of defense and college basketball, “Press Virginia” must be one of the first things that come to mind. Bob Huggins is a great coach, and his defensive philosophy is about making the life of the ball handler as difficult as possible. Sherman is perfectly suited for that role. His 6’4 frame and 190 lb. frames are ideal for either guard spot, or can even defend forwards in a pinch. Sherman is quick around screens and is very knowledgeable about where to be at all times on the floor. He also grabs 1.7 steals per game and has only 13 fouls. The next closest player in the top-ten of steals per game has 27 (Walker). His ability to disrupt an offense without committing fouls is a very helpful and rare trait.
Small Forward
Kevin McCullar, Texas Tech Red Raiders
A bouncy 6’6 wing averaging 1.5 steals per game, McCullar has a great mix of versatility, athleticism and production. McCullar has the speed and lateral quickness to defend guards but can use his length and power to disrupt forwards. Capable of guarding four positions, the Texan is an ideal small forward for the all-defensive team. Switchability is crucial for any position, but none more so than the small forward.
Power Forward
Matthew Mayer, Baylor Bears
Mayer has been featured on this blog as one of the weekly Who’s Not sections. He has had a tumultuous senior season, but that hasn’t taken away his desire to impact the game on the less glamorous end of the court. Mayer is averaging 1.6 steals and .7 blocks per game. He also is 6’9, with the speed of a guard. He can ruin pick and rolls, as he can hedge, disrupt the ball carrier with his long wingspan and return quickly to a cutting big. His length and speed combo is excellent and his hustle can slow down fast break chances for the opponent. Even when his shot isn’t falling, Mayer is making an important impact for Baylor.
Center
Moussa Cisse, Oklahoma State Cowboys
Every other position was picked with versatility in mind. I wanted players that could switch effectively and have less trouble on “mismatches” because of their size and strength. The center position however, I ignored that mantra. I wanted a force around the rim, and Cisse struck fear in the heart of opposing attackers. He is 6’10, and his huge wingspan makes life difficult for slashing guards and bigs who try to operate in the post. The best player in the conference in blogs per game, Cisse is the perfect anchor in the middle of our swarming defense. He would play the Rudy Gobert role, essentially limiting the chances of being burned by points in the paint.