Player of the Week
Gradey Dick, G, Kansas Jayhawks
It was a big week for the Jayhawks who picked up two wins, one against Oklahoma State and the other in a huge matchup against Baylor. Gradey Dick was massive in Tuesdays win in Stillwater. Dick dropped 26 shooting 58.8% from the field while adding 3 rebounds and 3 assists as well as 2 steals. In a game where Jalen Wilson wasn’t at his best Dick stepped up and showed he could be a go to guy when needed. Dick put in another strong performance against Baylor going for 16 points 5 rebounds and 2 steals. Coming out of high school Dick was seen as a sharpshooter but he has shown himself to be much more than that. He can attack the rim, is physical on the glass, and as a really good defender. He has proven to be a much better all-around player than expected and while he was always expected to be a first round pick, I think we could see him be a lottery pick in the summer.
Who’s Hot
Marcus Carr, G, Texas Longhorns
Marcus Carr continues to be one of the best point guards in the country on both ends of the floor. On offense Carr really shines. He’s averaging 19 points a game in his last 5 games just a step up from his season long 17.1 points per game. Carr’s offensive ability is well known but I think his defense is a very underrated part of his game. Carr is a well above average athlete and it allows him to keep up with almost anyone in the conference. He averages 1.7 steals per game this year which is a career high for him. For the Longhorns to make a final four run Carr will need to be at his best.
Adam Flagler, G, Baylor Bears
Baylor has the best guard trio in the country and right now Flagler is the best out of the three. He’s averaging 19 points per game in his last 5 and is also averaging 5.8 assists per game in that span. The sharp shooting guard is a key piece for the Bears offense and along with LJ Cryer and Keyonte George are responsible for the majority of Baylor’s scoring. Baylor will go as far as their guards can take them this year and based on Flagler’s play lately it looks like they are poised for a deep run in the tournament.
Who’s Not
Tyrese Hunter, G, Texas Longhorns
Hunter began the year as the Longhorns second scoring option behind Marcus Carr, but Hunter has been a bit of a non-factor for Texas lately. He hasn’t been terrible, but he just hasn’t provided much on the offensive end of the floor at all lately. Luckily for Texas senior guard Sir’ Jabari Rice has picked up the slack on offense. Hunter is still a very big piece for Texas defensively, however. Hunter is one of the best defensive guards in the country and really helps slow down a lot of the explosive guards in the Big 12. Last year’s conference freshman of the year still has a lot to improve on offense but defensively is pro ready.
Tre Mitchell, F, West Virginia Mountaineers
Tre Mitchell continues to struggle offensively, and it shows with West Virginia losing three games in a row. Baylor kept Mitchell to just 9 points and 3 rebounds and then Texas Tech limited him to just three points in Saturday’s loss. West Virginia is a team that is on the right side of the bubble but if these losses keep piling, they will quickly find themselves on the outside looking in. Mitchell needs to find a way out of this offensive slump if West Virginia doesn’t want to spend selection Sunday sweating.
Big 12 Bubble Watch
Locks to Make the Tournament: Kansas, Texas, Baylor, Kansas State, Iowa State
In Good Shape
TCU Horned Frogs
If Selection Sunday were today TCU would comfortably make the field of 68 as a 5 or 6 seed. Now they have stars Mike Miles Jr and Eddie Lampkin back from injury so I can easily see them playing their way up to a 3 or 4 seed. It would take a pretty massive collapse for TCU to not make the tournament, and this is a team I think is trending up, they should be fine come Selection Sunday.
On The Right Side of The Bubble (For Now)
Oklahoma State Cowboys
Oklahoma State was trending in the right direction winning 7 of 8 games before losing 2 straight games this week. Granted both their losses were against ranked opponents but the Cowboys need wins badly right now and both games would have been huge boosts to their resume. Leading scorer Kalib Boone was only able to play 10 minutes against TCU so his health will be key for the Cowboys tournament hopes. If he is out for an extended period of time, I can’t see Oklahoma State being able to hold up against the tough competition in this conference.
West Virginia Mountaineers
Just like Oklahoma State, West Virginia is also on a losing streak dropping their last three games. West Virginia was in a little bit better shape than Oklahoma State before both their skids started but when losses start to pile up in February you start to worry. Right now, I think WVU would be a 9 seed if Selection Sunday were today but there is still plenty of basketball left to play and they need to keep winning in order to stay in the field. Monday’s West Virginia vs Oklahoma State game will be massive for whoever wins it.
Unlikely But Not Impossible
Texas Tech Red Raiders
Texas Tech has done the (seemingly) impossible. They have won three Big 12 games in a row! This team has struggled all season long but have just rattled off three straight wins and two came against top 15 teams. De’Vion Harmon has really flipped a switch and has taken as massive step forward as a scorer averaging 19.5 points in his last 5 games. The Red Raiders dug themselves a very deep hole with their start to the Big 12 season but there is a very real scenario where this team could play their way into the tournament. They still have a ton of work to do, and every game for rest of the year will be a must win, but there is the slightest sliver of hope left for this Red Raider team.
Oklahoma Sooners
There is not much that the Sooners can say to those thinking they should not be in the tournament. One thing they do have that not many other teams do is a blowout win against Alabama. The only other teams to beat Bama are UConn, Gonzaga, and Tennessee so Oklahoma at least has that on their resume. However, that alone will not be enough to convince the committee this is a tournament team. Luckily for the Sooners almost every game in the Big 12 is a quad one game so if they win out in the regular season and win a couple games in the conference tournament, their resume will look pretty strong. Like Texas Tech almost every game will be a must win for the Sooners from here on out.
Texas Tech Red Raiders
Texas Tech has done the (seemingly) impossible. They have won three Big 12 games in a row! This team has struggled all season long but have just rattled off three straight wins and two came against top 15 teams. De’Vion Harmon has really flipped a switch and has taken as massive step forward as a scorer averaging 19.5 points in his last 5 games. The Red Raiders dug themselves a very deep hole with their start to the Big 12 season but there is a very real scenario where this team could play their way into the tournament. They still have a ton of work to do, and every game for rest of the year will be a must win, but there is the slightest sliver of hope left for this Red Raider team.
Oklahoma Sooners
There is not much that the Sooners can say to those thinking they should not be in the tournament. One thing they do have that not many other teams do is a blowout win against Alabama. The only other teams to beat Bama are UConn, Gonzaga, and Tennessee so Oklahoma at least has that on their resume. However, that alone will not be enough to convince the committee this is a tournament team. Luckily for the Sooners almost every game in the Big 12 is a quad one game so if they win out in the regular season and win a couple games in the conference tournament, their resume will look pretty strong. Like Texas Tech almost every game will be a must win for the Sooners from here on out.