Big 12 Player of the Week
Hunter Dickinson, C, Kansas- Sr.
In the last week (Nov. 20th – Nov. 26th) Hunter Dickinson and the Kansas Jayhawks played three games, all a part of the Allstate Maui Invitational. In the three-game span, Dickinson scored 61 points, 31 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals. The bulk of Dickinson’s points came from his 31-point performance against Chaminade on November 20th. Dickinson also put up a 20-rebound game against Tennessee on November 22nd. Dickinson is playing exactly like what Kansas was hoping to find in the Michigan transfer.
Who’s Hot
Joe Toussaint, G, Texas Tech- Sr.
Texas Tech spent the last week playing in the Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis, and Joe Toussaint played a key role in the Red Raiders’ 2-1 record in the tournament. In the three games combined, Toussaint had a line of 53 points, 14 assists, and 8 boards. In an early loss to now No. 18 Villanova, Toussaint had a 15-point and 8-assist game. For the remainder of the tournament, Toussaint stayed consistent and helped lead the Red Raiders to back-to-back wins.
The BYU Cougars
Though they only played two games this weekend, the BYU Cougars won both, and have extended their unbeaten streak to start the season to 6 and are now ranked No. 19 in the latest AP Poll. The biggest win this past week was against fellow unbeaten program in NC State, as the Cougars handed the Wolfpack their first loss of the season 95-86. BYU comfortably beat Arizona State 77-49 on Thanksgiving Day. They are a team to keep a close eye on as the season progresses.
The Oklahoma Sooners
Like BYU, the Oklahoma Sooners played just two games this past week, but their performance has got their team ranked. After starting the season 4-0, the Sooners stretched that to 6-0 after taking down the Iowa Hawkeyes and at the time, No. 23-ranked team in the nation in USC. Like BYU, the Sooners played themselves into the latest Top 25, sitting at No.25. The Sooners do have a tough stretch coming for them, but that’s in the future, for this week, the Sooners stayed hot.
Jesse Edwards, C, West Virginia-Sr.
It was a big week for the senior big men in the Big 12, but unlike his team, West Virginia center Jesse Edwards had a big week. Edwards had two near double-doubles to start the week, posting 9 boards in games against SMU and Virginia, along with 17 points against UVA and 18 against SMU. He stayed consistent in the Mountaineers win against Bellarmine tallying 17 points but getting 14 rebounds for the double-double.
Who’s Not
The West Virginia Mountaineers
The West Virginia Mountaineers started the year 2-1 headed into last week, with wins over Missouri State and Jacksonville State, and an unforgettable loss to Monmouth. They dropped their first game last week to a solid SMU team by 12 and followed it up with a two-point loss to then No. 24-ranked Virginia, but their lone win in the last three games is the reason they are on this list. West Virginia narrowly beat the Bellarmine Knights by four, earning them a spot on this list.
The Iowa State Cyclones
The Cyclones took part in the ESPN Events Invitational in Orlando, Florida last week, and came out 1-2 in that stretch. They barely beat a VCU team that went through almost a full roster reset this offseason. They then dropped their next game to Virginia Tech by nine followed by a close loss to No. 12 Texas A&M. Beating good teams is something that Iowa State should be doing, but failing to do so this last week is why they are on this list.
The UCF Knights
Unlike Iowa State, UCF did not have any bit of high expectations this season. UCF snuck past the Charlotte 49ers of the American Athletic Conference (the one UCF left) by three points. Knights faithful probably thought they avoided a near disaster, that was until that disaster struck when later in the week, UCF lost to the Stetson Hatters. UCF had not lost to Stetson in their last 20 games. That loss will stick with the Knights for a long time.
Big 12 Standings Prediction
Being my first blog of the season for the Big 12 conference, I figured it was a good time to share my prediction of the final Big 12 standings.
5. BYU
BYU is building momentum for a long season ahead. This team is playing well, but what makes me see a top-five finish for the Cougars is their schedule. BYU’s schedule builds up to tough games, which makes me think that they may come away with some unexpected wins this season.
4. Texas
The Longhorns are typically in the thick of it in the Big 12, and that will continue this season. I do not think they will win the conference, but a top-five finish solely based on early-season play is in the picture for Texas.
3. Baylor
The Baylor Bears are another team that is known for their Big 12 dominance, and this season they are prepared to make a run. Baylor is one of three teams that I think have a chance at the Big 12 title, but I don’t think they will win.
2. Houston
Houston has dominated the American Athletic Conference for years, and there will be no transition period for them in their first season in the Big 12. They have a real shot at the conference title this year and a real threat to finish at the top.
1. Kansas
The Jayhawks are a blueblood program with a tradition of greatness. Bill Self added a new weapon in the transfer portal this offseason in center Hunter Dickinson, and he is continuing his dominance in a new conference. This is Kansas’s conference to lose, and I believe they will win the Big 12 this season.