For half of the teams, they coasted through the first week of the year with comfortable wins, for others it was a struggle out of the gates that included 3 losses to Mid-Major schools.
Baylor: Previously, Texas Southern (69-72 L). Southern (80-53 W).
With Baylor being up 16 with 11 minutes to go, the win was nearly secured for the Bears. Until Texas Southern went on a ferocious 33-14 run including a 3 pointer from LSU Transfer Jaylyn Patterson to give Texas Southern a humongous upset. Baylor struggled mightily down the stretch and were in foul trouble all night as 4 players had 4 fouls or more and only shot 31 percent from the field and an abysmal 27% from the free throw line. Baylor would bounce back on Saturday against Southern as they shot 71 percent from the free throw line and outscored Southern 49-26 in the 2nd half. Sophomore Devante Bandoo led all scores with 25 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals and 4-8 shooting from 3.
Upcoming Slate: Monday vs. Prairie View A&M. Friday vs. Nicholls
The scary thing for the bears is Texas Southern might not even be the best team in the SWAC. That honor might go to Prairie View A&M. They went on the road and beat Santa Clara, 81-64 led by Gary Blackston, who had 30 points. Nicholls dropped back to back to Louisville and Washington State by double digits. Although PVAMU will hang around, Baylor looked much better against Southern and will take both games.
Iowa State: Previously, Alabama State (79-53 W). Missouri (76-59 W).
Iowa State took care of business against Alabama State, having 4 players in double figures including leading scorer, Matt Jacobson who was very efficient. 17 points on 7-9 from the field and 7 rebounds. Lindell Wigginton had 13 points and 5 rebounds. ISU got a big home win against a solid Missouri team as once again, the cyclones had 4 players in double figures. This time led by Virginia Transfer, Marial Shayok who had 20 points and shot 8-9 from the free throw line. Iowa State won this game due to constant pressure on defense as they forced 25 Missouri turnovers and only coughed it up 7 times. One knock on Iowa State is that there was no bench presence as only one player scored off of the bench. That may work in non-conference, but in the big 12, a good bench will go a long ways.
Upcoming Slate: Monday vs. Texas Southern.
Baylor struggled late down the stretch with Texas Southern. A team that has 6 seniors and a couple of talented grad transfers. This game is closer than people expect, but Iowa State’s experience and pressure does enough to get them a 8-12 point win.
Kansas: Previously, #10 Michigan State (92-87 W).
Although Kansas did drop out of the top spot, that doesn’t mean the Jayhawks didn’t impress. The long awaited debut of Dedric Lawson for the most part didn’t disappoint. He had 20 points, 14 rebounds, and 6 assists. But he did only shoot 27% which can be alarming. But Freshman, Quinton Grimes and Big 12 All-First Team, Udoka Azubuike helped him out with 21 and 17 points respectably. One thing that is alarming though, was Kansas 3 point defense, Michigan State was 52% from 3. But Kansas made up for it in a way by forcing 18 turnovers and just 44% from the field.
Upcoming Slate: Monday vs. Vermont. Friday vs. Louisiana
Vermont is coming off of a 6 point win and Louisiana just lost to #6 Tennessee by 22. This should be an easy 2 game stretch and a chance to get some bench players some quality playing time.
Kansas State: Previously, Kennesaw State (56-41 W)
Preseason Player of the Year in the Big 12 led all scores for the Wildcats as he had 15 points on 7-13 shooting. The Wildcats played lights out defense, limiting Kennesaw to just 32% shooting from the field. The problem was Kansas State was dreadful from 3 and the free throw line. 1-13 from beyond the arc and 45% from the charity stripe. With the talent they have, they’ll more than likely bounce back and you wont see much worse than this.
Upcoming Slate: Monday vs. Denver. Friday vs. Eastern Kentucky
Eastern Kentucky gave up 105 to Marshall in a 28 point loss and beat Chattanooga by 3. Denver won their game, but Kansas State shouldn’t have too much trouble with either of these teams. They go 2-0 this week.
Oklahoma: Previously, UT- Rio Grande Valley (91-76 W).
For the time being, Oklahoma figured out their scoring plug. Christian James had a very good night, collecting 29 points on over 50% from the field and 7-8 from the line. UTRGV was able to have some success from the 3 point line as they were nearly 50% from their and 43% from the field throughout the game. Maine Transfer also played well in his debut in an OU uniform collecting 15 points on 3-4 from 3 point range.
Upcoming Slate: Monday at. UTSA. Sunday vs. Wofford
UTSA dropped a game to St. Edwards (you tell me where that is without looking it up). They play UTSA in San Antonio (just as strange as OSU playing in Charlotte against Charlotte). They should win this game. Although Wofford did play North Carolina close, only losing by 11, I think OU sweeps this week and takes both games.
Oklahoma State: Previously, Charlotte (64-66 L)
Oklahoma State is in the same boat as Baylor this week, although Baylor was able to bounce back and get another game this week. Oklahoma State was up as much as 20 points with 14 minutes left to go until Senior Jon Davis led the 49ers all the way back including a 3 pointer with 6 seconds to go to eventually put out the cowboys in the biggest win of the program in years. The Cowboys got outrebounded and Charlotte took advantage of Oklahoma State’s mistakes as they were a dazzling 19-21 from the free throw line.
Upcoming Slate: Wednesday vs. UTSA. Sunday vs. Charleston.
UTSA gets to play both power 5 Oklahoma schools, back to back. Unfortunately, this one is on the road and Oklahoma State will bounce back and pick up a convincing win. Charleston took both of their games including a road win over Western Carolina. This game will probably be closer than the experts predict. 10 point win for the Cowboys.
TCU: Previously, Cal State Bakersfield (66-61 W). Oral Roberts (79-62 W).
TCU got a big scare this week as CSB was up 9 at the break and TCU looked demoralized. On 18% shooting from 3 and 63% from the free throw line, TCU did just enough to escape, led on offense by Desmond Bane and Alex Robinson with 14 and 12 points. As well as Yuat Alok with 11 coming off the bench. TCU bounced back offensively as well as limiting ORU to 36% shooting from the field. Alex Robinson and Desmond Bane led the team once again with 23 and 22 points. Also taking into account, Jaylen Fisher is out with an injury, TCU will be fine moving forward after the Wednesday night scare.
Upcoming Slate: Thursday vs. Fresno State
Fresno State took care of Alaska-Anchorage on Tuesday. Fresno State is an average Mountain West team that could make some noise in conference. However TCU is too much to handle at home, 20+ point win for the Horned Frogs.
Texas: Previously, Eastern Illinois (71-59 W). Arkansas (73-71 W)
It was an emotional and big game for one Andrew Jones, making his return back to the court as he made a free throw in 9 minutes of action against EIU on Tuesday. As for the rest of the team, it was continued cold trend from the 3 point and free throw line. Matt Coleman III led all scores for the Longhorns with 12 points on 5-9 shooting. UT did play well on defense forcing 19 turnovers and 35 % shooting for the Panthers. In probably the most impressive win of the week, UT upset Arkansas on Fort Bliss on a game winning shot with a second to go by Senior guard Kerwin Roach II. Texas shot horrid from the field, but was able to get to the free throw line 30 times. UT moves to 2-0 with some confidence and some momentum.
Upcoming Slate: Monday vs. UL Monroe. Friday vs. The Citadel.
Citadel is coming off a 20 point loss and ULM is projected to be in the bottom half of the conference. A 2-0 week with little to no stress should be
Texas Tech: Previously, Incarnate Word (87-37 W). Mississippi Valley State (84-52 W).
Texas Tech wins the award for the most dominant blowout in the big 12 with a 50 and 32 point win against 2 RPI 300+ teams. They played excellent defense all night forcing 29 turnovers and 26 percent from the field. You know your defense plays well when the turnovers is higher than the opposing field goal percentage and that’s exactly the case for the Red Raiders. Jarrett Culver and Minnesota transfer, Matthew Mooney led all scores for Texas Tech with 16 and 12 points as all 13 players that played scored. Mississippi Valley State was nearly as carbon copy, except avid Moretti led all scores with 17 points as once again, all 13 Red Raiders checked into the same at some point. MVSU shot below 40 percent from 3 and free throw line.
Upcoming Slate: Tuesday vs. SE Louisiana.
Louisiana State only beat SE Louisiana by 31. This team is bad, Tech by 40.
West Virginia: Previously, Buffalo (94-99 L).
Can’t say I said it. But I said it. Buffalo pulled off a massive upset coming off an All-American like performance from one, CJ Massinburg with 43 points and 14 rebounds on over 50 percent shooting. West Virginia had 4 players in double figures, including 2 players scoring more than 20. Buffalo minimized their mistakes only turning it over 11 times and got to the free throw line often. former 5 star, Jordan McCabe played limited time with 9 minutes and collecting zero points.
Upcoming Slate: Thursday vs. Monmouth.
Monmouth lost to a pair of Patriot teams by double digits in both. They should go 10+ deep and should be the complete opposite of the Buffalo game.
Image Credit: https://www.burntorangenation.com/basketball/2016/10/25/13401246/kerwin-roach-jr-texas-longhorns-basketball-preview
