Big 12 Report Feb. 6-13

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Missouri still in the top spot

 

After beating Kansas last week, it’s apparent that Missouri is making the most of its last season in the Big 12 by dominating Baylor and Oklahoma this week, extending its record to 23-2 overall.  The win against Oklahoma clenched first place in the Big 12, but that win wasn’t on par with Missouri’s past wins. The first half was a bit slow for the Tigers, but they stepped it up going into the second half. Even with the offense coming back, the game still remained relatively close throughout the second half, with Mizzou’s highest lead being by 10 points for 20 seconds.

In the last 5 seconds, Oklahoma had a chance to tie the game with a 3 pointer, but the cards just weren’t in line for Steven Pledger. The shot hit the rim and bounced off at the sound of the buzzer.

The Baylor game on Saturday night was a much different story. The 72-57 win for Mizzou really proved why they are number one in the Big 12. Baylor knew that in order to stand a chance against Missouri, it had to stop Missouri’s top notch offense. The Bears held down Ricardo Ratliffe, but didn’t stop Phil Pressey, who scored 19 points, including 4 3-pointers. Missouri shot 48 percent from the field overall. If Mizzou can keep playing like this, it will make its last Big 12 season one to remember. Missouri faces Oklahoma State next Wednesday.

 

Kansas fighting back

Kansas might have lost to Missouri, but planned on making it up in its game against Baylor on Wednesday, and staying in the

number  two spot in the Big 12. It did just that. A little less than a month ago, Kansas ended Baylor’s best record in school history, and on Wednesday night they were determined to remind Baylor what the Jayhawks were made of.

Baylor was in the lead until the Jayhawks went on a 14-3 run over the final 4:30 of the first half. The second half was bleak for Baylor on both the offensive and defensive ends. Kansas was led by a surprising player, Jeff Withey. Coming off of a scoreless game against Missouri, Withey scored a career high 25 points. Kansas won the game 68-54.

Kansas’ winning didn’t stop there. The Jayhwks also defeated Oklahoma State on Saturday night. Kansas went into halftime with a 51-24 lead, and  even though the Cowboys made a strong second-half comeback, Kansas still pushed forward on offense and sealed the game,  81-66. Kansas plays Kansas state tonight at Fred Bramiage Coliseum.

 

Baylor and Iowa State Battle for Third in the conference

After losing this week to both Missouri and Kansas, the same teams that handed Baylor its other two losses this season, it has become apparent that Baylor’s highest spot in the Big 12 will be third. The team Baylor needs to keep an eye on is Iowa State, which is currently tied with Baylor for the third spot. Baylor and Iowa State face each other Monday night on Baylor’s home court.

Other Big 12 wins and losses this week

-Kansas State defeated Texas Tech on Tuesday, but lost to the Texas Longhorns on Saturday, putting them in fifth place. They will face off against Kansas on Monday.

-Texas defeated Texas A&M and Kansas State this week leaving it at number six. Texas plays at Oklahoma on Tuesday.

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