Player of the Week
Christian Braun, Kansas Jayhawks
Even with a plethora of talented scorers around him, Braun has stood out for his excellent performances for the 11-1 Jayhawks. The Kansas native has averaged 17.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.4 blocks while shooting 62% from the field. The 6’6 junior wing has been tremendous on both ends of the court, as his length and defensive IQ help him deter multiple positions from attacking. He is third in the conference in blocks and field goal percentage and fifth in rebounds while primarily playing small forward. Braun was known for his outside shooting during his first two seasons in Lawrence but has completely changed the memo on his offensive repertoire. Now capable of detonating at the rim, Braun has become more willing and aggressive to hunt for shots in the paint. He seemingly never misses two-point shots, and his new evolution into a volume scorer has helped him launch into first round draft consideration. Also a willing passer, Braun can be a secondary ball handler and can function effectively in the pick and roll. Few players in college basketball have filled the stat sheet quite like Braun. It feels as though he impacts the game on every possession, and his newfound shot-making has really changed the trajectory of the Jayhawks’ season. Even though his three-point shot hasn’t been outstanding, the rest of his game has been. Considering his silky-smooth stroke, high release, and great free-throw percentage, his one current weakness should soon become a strength. Paired with Ochai Agbaji, as well as plenty of other dynamite options on the roster, Kansas could be tough to deal with as their chemistry, and Braun’s confidence, continues to grow.
Who’s Hot
Big 12 Elites
While much of the middle of the conference has been very competitive the last few years, the Big 12 always comes down to which handful of teams throws the best haymakers. The conference is littered with four and five-star recruits, big-name coaches, high draft picks and national champions. Teams like West Virginia, Oklahoma and Kansas State have gotten off to incredible starts in the early part of this season, but the conference games should squash any hopes of any but the perennial contenders ruling the conference once again. Baylor is the number one team in the country, and for good reason. They don’t have a bonafide superstar, but between James Akinjo, LJ Cryer, Matthew Mayer, and more, they have depth and shooting that few other teams can match. They also just knocked off No. 8 Iowa State, flexing their superiority over the conference once again. Add aforementioned Kansas onto the list as well, with two of the three top scorers in the conference, the Jayhawks will believe the Big 12 still runs through Lawrence. Conferences like the Pac-12 and the Big 10 are full of surprises for who will reign supreme. Unfortunately for the teams in the middle of the pack in this conference, the race is probably over before it even begins. Toss in No. 17 Texas, who have the talent and size to compete with anyone, and the middle tier of the conference has too much talent to face to be able to win consistently. Just for good measure, the conference added one major stunner, with Iowa State being undefeated before giving the Bears all they could handle. One of the great things about this incredible sport is the mystery and mystique it provides. Cinderella stories are always written come March, and the underdogs sometimes have the biggest bite, but that beauty and fairytale underdog story won’t be written in this conference. Between the powerhouses of Kansas and Baylor, the recruiting and transfer success of Texas, and the sudden meteoric rise for the Cyclones, the other teams in the conference are fighting for fifth.
Who’s Not
College Basketball Fans
With only a handful of Big 12 games the past two weeks, and none between Dec. 23 and Dec. 27, it has been a difficult time of year for fans of the sport, and more specifically the conference. Especially as the college football playoff and other bowl games take the spotlight, college basketball fans are left without the constant display of games that comes a few weeks down the road. Besides the recent Baylor vs. Iowa State game, there haven’t been many heavyweight contests in conference or out of conference games. With the extra time off for the holiday season, fans are left without many tantalizing options. Simply put, it was a slow two weeks for the conference.
Top Five Draft Prospects Right Now
5. Izaiah Brockington, Iowa State Cyclones
Brockington has been the main catalyst of college basketball’s most surprising turnaround this season. The 6’4 senior has poured in 18 points, grabbed 8.4 boards, dished 1.5 assists, and had 1.5 steals per game for No. 8 Iowa State. The lefty from Philadelphia has been really effective from every area of the floor, hitting 50% of his field goals and a startling 42% off his three-point attempts. The advanced stats back up Brockington’s amazing season too, with a PER above 23 and his true shooting is .582%. Brockington had shown glimpses of the player he could be at his previous collegiate stops, hitting step-back jumpers and attacking with tenacity during his time with St. Bonaventure and Penn State. The difference now is the consistency he has demonstrated. He isn’t forcing contested long twos, is attacking the rim more and taking open looks. While he hasn’t gotten much national attention, Brockington’s ascent should help keep him on draft boards. It is very difficult getting looks for an NBA draft spot being a senior, but the scoring punch, defensive skill, outside shooting and efficiency Brockington has showcased could be too hard to pass up in the second round.
4. Terrence Shannon Jr., Texas Tech Raiders
An explosive, vertical athlete, the 6’6 junior guard oozes potential. He has upped his scoring average to a solid 14 points per game, while also adding three rebounds, two assists and a steal per game. He has the speed, size, and strength to be a useful NBA player, especially in transition. His frame and length should allow him to defend guards and smaller forwards, while capable of creating his own offense on the other side of the hardwood. There are some serious negatives to Shannon’s game as well. He has shot just 36% from deep over his last two seasons, has more turnovers than assists, and his productivity simply hasn’t matched his potential. Teams picking late in the first or in the second round can look past the inefficiency and turnovers and see a long, athletic, and versatile guard with scoring upside. One of the draft’s most notable boom-or-bust players, the right system and coaching staff could get stud well outside the lottery.
3. Christian Braun, Kansas Jayhawks
This week’s Player of the Week, Braun has gone from an afterthought to a potential first round pick. He has almost doubled his points per game from last year, to 17 per game. He is hitting 58% of his shots, up from 38% last year. He has improved in nearly every facet of the game, while possessing great size and length. Braun’s transformation from Clark Kent to Superman has made it much easier to project a very good NBA player. What he lacks in elite speed or verticality, he makes up for with his shooting, defensive positioning, size, feel and consistency. Braun won’t be a star, and his age at the time of the draft (21), could scare some teams away. However, there are few prospects in the country that have higher floors. His consistent improvement over his three seasons under Bill Self would show that there could be even more to unlock for Braun. He should immediately contribute as a high-end defender, rebounder, and passer, while being able to generate his own offense. His swing skill will be his three-point shot, but his form suggests that should come around.
2. Ochai Agbaji, Kansas Jayhawks
Back-to-back prospects who hail from “The Phog”. Agbaji, like Braun, has enjoyed a breakout season. Agbaji went from 14.1 to 20.6 points per game (2nd in the Big 12) on 54% field goal shooting and an unconscious 46% on three point looks. The 6’5 senior sensation has had everything click during his final season donning the crimson and blue. The stats show a tremendous scorer, but the games indicate how special Agbaji can be. He consistently nails step-back jumpers, burns defenders with dribble moves, and evades would-be blockers at the rim. He has unleashed the full arsenal of offensive attacks and shown how many ways he can score. Most players with his efficiency rely on others for open looks, Agbaji creates them from scratch. His size and burst make it even more believable that this is the player NBA teams could be getting. Also nabbing more than a steal per game, the dynamic wing has excelled on both ends of the court. He makes scoring look simple, even when the defenses focus on him. High-level offensive creation is highly sought after in the NBA, as it is a precious and rare resource. Agbaji provides that skill in abundance. He needs to work on his passing to be a secondary ball-handler and get the usage that his scoring upside suggests he should.
Kendall Brown, Baylor Bears
A huge recruit for Scott Drew and the Baylor Bears, Brown has lived up to his five-star recruit status. The 6’8 freshman has averaged 12.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists, while having the highest field goal percentage (69.1), in the Big 12. The slasher has also shot 45% from behind the arc, giving more promise to the idea that he could be a star down the road in the NBA. A small forward capable of playing and defending three positions, his versatility, youth, and athleticism should have scouts salivating. His shot selection is great for a young, highly touted player, and has played within himself in the Baylor system. His ability to navigate through traffic inside is elite, and his speed and handle is on display in transition. The Minnesota native is a terrific defender, and his long arms always seem to be filling up passing lanes, leading to 1.2 steals a game. NBA teams with a lottery pick will see a forward with the perfect frame, quickness, defense and finishing for the modern game. His fluidity and ball handling for a player his size is an added bonus. The small sample size from three (five makes), gives pause that he can be an upper-echelon offensive force, especially in a three-point oriented league. However, his unique traits, size and age should help teams see a potential star in the future.