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We are halfway through conference play and things are heating up in the Big 12. 2.5 games separate the top 5 teams and as we know anyone can win on any night. I wanted to release my current power rankings of the conference before we enter the second half of the conference schedule. I am only going to give breakdowns of my top 3 teams because I do not believe any others have a real shot of winning the conference. Disclaimer: This is my opinion!
Texas Tech (17-5) (6-3) 1.5 GB: During the preseason, people expected Texas Tech to remain one of the better teams in the Big 12. However, I don’t think people expected Tech to be this good after losing Chris Beard and only returning 4 players who played significant minutes from last year's roster. The Red Raiders currently rank #3 in the nation in defense efficiency according to KenPom due in large part to their Head Coach, Mark Adams. Adams was the mastermind behind Texas Tech's defense when Beard was in Lubbock and they haven’t lost a step. They have the perfect balance of experience and defense which are two things you need in order to win in March. Although they lack a true PG on the roster, the Red Raiders makeup for it in other aspects and Kevin McCullar has been the guy who initiates offense. With wins over Kansas, Iowa St, and Texas at home and Baylor in Waco, Tech has been the most impressive team in the conference to me. Not to mention a double overtime loss by 3 in Phog Allen where Ochai Agbaji had his player of the year game and still I came away from that game more impressed with Tech then Kansas. Next up: @ West Virginia Saturday
Baylor (19-3) (7-2) 0.5 GB: The defending national champions haven’t seemed to miss a beat. The Bears are currently one of eight teams ranked top 20 in both offense and defense efficiency according to KenPom. Despite losing Davion Mitchell, Jared Butler, MaCio Teague, and Mark Vital (No Vital. No title), Baylor reloaded their roster. There were even some points this season that people believed this team was arguably better than last year. Obviously that was a major overreaction but you could make an argument that the Bears are just as good defensively. Even though they don’t have a guy like Davion “off night” Mitchell, the additions of Kendall Brown and Jeremy Sochan add length on the perimeter they didn’t have last year. There were some concerns preseason that James Akinjo wouldn’t buy into Scott Drew’s philosophy but that was quickly put to rest. Akinjo at times has looked like a national player of the year candidate. Not to mention, his two back court partners in Adam Flagler and LJ Cryer have played at a high level as well. Of course this trio isn’t as good as Butler, Teague, and Mitchell but Baylor has another impressive back court to go along with their two freshmen, Mayer, and two bigs (Thamba & Tchamwa Tchatchoua). Scott Drew is one of the best coaches in the sport and has another team that is poised to make a deep run in March. Next up @ Kansas Saturday
Kansas (18-3) (7-1) in 1st place: Currently ranked 3rd in offense efficiency according to KenPom, Kansas is an interesting team in my opinion. One night they look like a national title contender and then on another, look like a team who can lose to any team in the conference. Having a player of the year candidate such as Ochai Agbaji helps the Jayhawks. However, I believe the X-factor for Rock Chalk is David McCormack. For example, in last week's home blowout loss to Kentucky in the Big 12/SEC challenge, McCormack had 3 points and 1 rebound. On the contrary, he had 14 points and 14 rebounds in Tuesdays win at Iowa St. Granted, Kansas was without Agbaji and Remy Martin but still, numbers suggest that when McCormack scores double digits, Kansas usually wins. Bill Self lost Marcus Garrett from last year's roster and I think the Jayhawks have missed him on the defensive side of the ball. They are currently ranked 46th in defensive efficiency according to KenPom. Christan Braun has played well this season and Jalen Wilson is another guy you have to account for any night. Ultimately, you can never count out a Bill Self coached team. Next up: Home vs Baylor Saturday
Texas (16-6) (5-4) 2.5 GB
TCU (15-4) (4-3) 2.5 GB
Iowa St. (16-6) (3-6) 4.5 GB
Oklahoma (13-9) (3-6) 4.5 GB
Kansas St. (11-10) (3-6) 4.5 GB
West Virginia (13-8) (2-6) 5 GB
Oklahoma St. (10-11) (3-6) 4.5 GB