Player of the Week
Nijel Pack, Kansas State Wildcats
Pack, already the third leading scorer in the conference, turned in the best performance of his two-year career against No. 7 Kansas. He dropped a career-high 35 points and did so with incredible efficiency. The 6’0 sophomore torched the Jayhawks by shooting 12-18 from the field and a scorching 8-12 from behind the arc. Pack kept the Wildcats in the game single-handedly, and Kansas simply couldn’t slow him down. Between attacking the basket, pushing in transition, and draining shots from deep, Pack excelled in all facets of offense. He was dominant on defense as well, nabbing three steals. The guard did a phenomenal job taking care of the ball, committing just one turnover in 36 minutes. His team ultimately fell 78-75 after a game winning floater by Ochai Agbaji. Despite the loss, Pack was unstoppable, generating the majority of the offense for the Wildcats, and helping his team stay in the lead for almost the entire game. Pack did it all on both ends of the court and was able to give Kansas State their best game against Kansas over their last six contests. Pack was also a key contributor in their upset win over No. 25 Texas, with 16 points and two assists and two threes.
Who’s Hot
Bryson Williams, Texas Tech Red Raiders
Williams, who made stops at Fresno State and UTEP before landing in Lubbock, has fit perfectly. The most effective and efficient player on the squad, Williams has scored in double figures in all seven of the Red Raider’s conference games. His consistency has been a huge key to why the Red Raiders have started 5-2 in conference play, with wins over No.1 Baylor, No. 6 Kansas and No. 15 Iowa State. The 6’8 senior has scored but has done so with such smart shot selection. He doesn’t force looks to create better stats, and he moves the ball when he isn’t open. Williams has converted on 52% of his shot attempts and 42% of his threes. With leading scorer and draft prospect Terrence Shannon Jr. only playing in nine games this season, Texas Tech desperately needed to have a go-to scorer on offense. Williams has been that and much more, constantly putting pressure on the defense with his outside shooting and interior bruising. He is also averaging five assists this season and commits just one turnover per game. Texas Tech has been red hot, and Williams has been the catalyst for this incredibly hot stretch.
Who’s Not
Iowa State Cyclones
After starting the season as one of the feel-good stories of college basketball, the Cyclones have hit a serious rough patch. They have lost five of their last seven games, including two to unranked opponents. The conference schedule seems to be a major challenge, as they are just 2-5 in conference after starting out 12-0 in the non-conference schedule. Izaiah Brockington has played well through this stretch, but there isn’t much help for him. Only Gabe Kalscheur and Tyrese Hunter are the only other players averaging ten or more points per game, but neither is hitting above 37% from the field or 27% from deep. Their lack of consistency on offense stems from inefficiency from their main scorers. The coaching staff has a serious dilemma on their hands when they have so few potent options from inside or outside the arc. After their amazing start, I listed them as one of the top couple schools with a shot to win the conference title. Through just seven games in the conference, those hopes seem to have already slipped away. The Cyclones have made a remarkable turnaround from their nightmare season last year, but they still have a long way to go to be taken seriously as a conference contender.
Top Five Interior Defenders
As important as versatile perimeter defenders are, there is nothing like a ferocious shot-blocker defending the rim. In honor of their ability to protect the paint, here are the five best defensive big men in the Big 12.
5. Dimon Carrigan, West Virginia Mountaineers
The 6’9 senior has played just over ten minutes per game but is tied for sixth in the conference with one block per game. He is seventh in the Big 12 with 18 blocks this season and did so with strong marks of .78 blocks per personal foul and 3.71 blocks per 40 minutes. His size and activity make those driving to the rim think twice about their decision. Carrigan doesn’t play many minutes due to his lack of offensive upside, but his defensive instincts around the rim make a big difference for the Mountaineers.
4. David McCormack, Kansas Jayhawks
The 6’10 senior center for the Jayhawks, McCormack has been obliterating shots for four years. Over the last two, he has seen significantly more playing time, and likewise in increase in blocks. His impressive stature, wingspan and athleticism allows him to block 1.06 shots per game. A physically imposing player, McCormack makes defensive plays that other bigs don’t have the size or speed to. Conversely, he takes some risks and can often get into foul trouble.
3. Isaiah Cottrell, West Virginia Mountaineers
West Virginia has plenty of mountainous men to block shots on the interior. Aside from Carrigan, Cottrell is also quite the impactful defender. The 6’10 freshman has been great defensively, blocking 1.06 shots per game, with .73 blocks per fouls. He also has 2.64 blocks per 40 minutes, one of the elite numbers in the conference. What helps him stand out from McCormack is that he often stays out of foul trouble and makes sound decisions about when to go for a block versus staying with his man.
2. Kalib Boone, Oklahoma State Cowboys
In just 12.5 minutes per game, Boone ranks second in the Big 12 with 1.57 blocks per game. The 6’9 junior is so disruptive on the interior, ranking first in blocks per forty minutes and tied for first in blocks per foul. Boone is so sound, staying with his assignment before lunging toward the shooter at the last second. His quickness helps force pick and roll ball handlers to a tough decision, and his presence around the rim makes life really challenging for offenses inside the paint.
1. Moussa Cisse, Oklahoma State Cowboys
As if Boone wasn’t enough defensive protection around the rim for the Cowboys, Cisse has been the most effective shot-deterrent in the conference. The 6’10 sophomore from Guinea has been tremendous, rejecting 1.76 shots per game, and his 30 blocks are eight more than the second-place player. He doesn’t foul very often and can either block the shot or make it difficult to convert because of his timing and leaping ability. The Cowboys are set for the next few seasons with Cisse and Boone as a formidable duo inside.