Baylor: Previously, Prairie View A&M (91-80 W). Nicholls State (81-54).
Baylor bounced back this week and was able to pick up both wins this week. Baylor shot 60% from the field and a solid 48% from the 3 point line. Baylor was able to score consistently as Freshman Jared Butler picked up a career 22 points as King McClure collected 21 points and 8 rebounds. On Friday, the Bears would get 18 points from another talented freshman in Matthew Mayer. It also was the debut of Yale Transfer G Makai Mason. Mason finished with 11 points, 2 rebounds and an Assist. F Mark Vital picked up his first career double-double (11 Points, 11 Rebounds) as the Baylor rolled to another rather easy win.
Upcoming Slate: Friday vs. Ole Miss, Saturday vs.(Cincinnati/George Mason)
Ole Miss dropped a road game to Butler and won by 26 to Western Michigan. It should be a back and forth game, but on a neutral court and a ready Makai Mason, Baylor takes the first game. Cincinnati lost a rather odd game to begin the year against Ohio State (who should be improved this year), but has taken care of the rest of their competition. In a close game, Cincinnati takes it by 5 or 6 and Baylor goes 1-1 on Thanksgiving week.
Iowa State: Previously, Texas Southern (85-73 W).
Baylor struggled containing Texas Southern late down the stretch. Iowa State was able to make sure Texas Southern wouldn’t hang around as they slammed the door and got a win in the Hilton. The duo of talented transfers Shayok and Horton-Tucker shined as they both got 26 points a piece on 18-34 shooting combined. If Iowa State is able to have big games from guys not named Lindell Wigginton, this Iowa State team should be much improved and near the top of the Big 12. Iowa State did shoot themselves in the foot with 16 turnovers and 30% from 3 point range, but the offensive outburst was more than enough to get the job done.
Upcoming Slate: Monday vs. Arizona, Tuesday vs. Gonzaga/Illinois
Arizona is losing quite a bit from last year’s team, but has shown to be dominant against inferior opponents. Iowa State drops this game, but it is back and forth and may need overtime. They will end up playing Illinois and end up winning that game behind a strong performance from Horton-Tucker and a double-double from Nick Weiler-Babb
Kansas: Previously, Vermont (84-68 W). Louisiana (89-76 W).
Legerald Vick had by far, the best game of his Jayhawk career as he was 12-14 from the field, a perfect 8 of 8 from three and 32 points as he looked like he was playing as if the basket looked like an ocean. Vick could not miss as Udoka Azubuike added in 23 points and 11 rebounds. Vermont kept things close for awhile with the Jayhawks as it was just a 4 point game at halftime. Legerald Vick continued to play amazing as he performed an encore against Louisiana as he put up 33 points on 7-12 shooting from 3 point range and Memphis transfer, Dedric Lawson also added 19 points on 6 rebounds. This Kansas team shows that even if one player is having an amazing game, so will others. One thing to be worried about is Kansas gave up an average of 72 against Vermont and Louisiana, which can be a bit discouraging.
Upcoming Slate: Wednesday vs. #24 Marquette (NIT Season Tip Off). Friday vs. Louisville/ #5 Tennessee.
Marquette dropped a game against Indiana where they lost by 23 on the road. Kansas is better than Indiana and should win this game. It will be interesting to see how Kansas performs defensively in this matchup. Tennessee should take care of Louisville, but In a huge Top 5 matchup, I have Tennessee upsetting Kansas in a game with a lot of offense. 82-78 Vols.
Kansas State: Previously, Denver (64-56 W). Eastern Kentucky (95-68 W). Penn (64-48 W).
Kansas State was very busy this week as they recorded 3 wins in which their play was a bit consistent, but keeps them going. Barry Brown carried Kansas State offensively as he finished with 25 points on 4-7 shooting from 3 point range. Outside of him, K-State played poorly, but just enough to avoid a really bad loss. In the first round of the Paradise Jam, the Wildcats had 5 players scoring in double digits including Guard Cartier Diarra off the bench with 14 points. Dean Wade had 17 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists. Kansas State once again struggled on offense, scoring just 42% from the field and 28% from 3 point range. But played stout defense and kept Penn out of any chance to win .
Upcoming Slate: Monday vs. Missouri. Saturday vs. Lehigh.
Missouri gets their second Big 12 opponent of the year in the championship game of the Paradise Jam. Kansas State has been inconsistent on offense but figures it out against Missouri and wins by 15. Lehigh comes to town on Saturday after defeating a pair of MAAC teams and a 21 point loss to Miami (Fl.). Kansas State struggles somewhat again, but still a comfortable win.
Oklahoma: Previously, UTSA (87-67 W). Wofford.(75-64 W).
Christian James led all scores against UTSA with 24 points on 8-10 shooting from the field. Oklahoma was able to force 20 turnovers and converted at the free throw line with a solid 82% from the charity stripe. Brady Manek was the man in the Wofford game as he collected 18 points and 11 rebounds and shows his versatility as a forward with a 3-7 shooting performance from 3. Oklahoma locked down when they needed too by limiting Wofford to 37% from the field.
Upcoming Slate: Wednesday vs. Florida (Battle 4 Atlantis). Thursday vs. Stanford/Wisconsin.
Florida got blown out in Tallahassee to begin the year and is taking a step back this year. Oklahoma should manage this game and get some solid play from (what looks to be the #1 scoring option) Christian James. Wisconsin got an impressive win on the road against Xavier. Any time you can beat a school like Xavier, it shows flashes of potential moving forward. Ethan Happ is a first team all big 10 player and should be drafted once it hits June, Wisconsin is talented all around and wins that game.
Oklahoma State: Previously, UTSA (82-60 W). Charleston.(70-58 W).
UTSA got the honor of playing 2 Oklahoma schools in 3 days; this time on the road against the Cowboys. Cameron McGriff was on target as he finished with his first double-double of the year with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Junior Guard Thomas Dziagwa also had 16 points and 6 rebounds. Oklahoma State shared the rock in this game and scored in a variety of ways as 5 cowboys scored in double figures including 16 more points from Cameron McGriff. The Cowboys had 16 bench points and all 16 came from Miami (Ohio) transfer Michael Weathers. The Cowboys 3 point defense was important in their 12 point win against Charleston as they were limited to 19% shooting from beyond the arc.
Upcoming Slate: Thursday vs. Memphis (Advocare Invitational). Friday vs. Villanova/Canisius.
It too 2 OT’s from Memphis to finish Yale. Oklahoma State should be able to win a close game in the first round. Villanova has struggled mightily to begin the year. Losing by nearly 30 to Michigan and dropping a game to Furman. Villanova will bounce back and win a close game against the Cowboys.
TCU: Previously, Fresno State (77-69 W).
Desmond Bane showed out in this contest with 10-15 shooting and 23 points with 7 rebounds. Alex Robinson played his best game of the year for the Senior Captain as he had 13 points and 14 assists to 4 turnovers. All 5 starters scored in double figures, but only one made shot by the bench on 7 attempts.
Upcoming Slate: Tuesday vs. Lipscomb.
Lipscomb has played pretty well so far including a road win against SMU. But Lipscomb will have a 5 game road stand and that will consist of a loss to a team from the state of Texas. TCU handles Lipscomb by 15+
Texas: Previously, UL Monroe (65-55 W). The Citadel (97-69 W).
Kerwin Roach is the future of this Texas Program, but in the UL-Monroe game, he didn’t play great, but good enough to win. He was 6-15 from the field and 1-6 from three, but lead all scores with 13. It was sloppy, but got the job done. Once again, the Longhorns looked below average on offense, but making 12 threes and almost 20 free throws will put you near 100 as they easily handled The Citadel. Unlike the football game against Alabama, The Citadel was not tied with Texas as they were up by 12 at the half (Texas was).
Upcoming Slate: Thursday, vs. #7 North Carolina (Las Vegas Invitational). Friday vs. Michigan State/UCLA.
North Carolina looks really stout and primed to contend for an ACC title. Texas will play similar to the game against Duke last year. But once against, it will not be enough as the Tar Heels will get the win. I have UCLA defeating Michigan State, which will have the Longhorns facing Sparty. After dropping their firt game against Kansas, Michigan State continues to show they are elite and for real. They defeat Texas as well as the Longhorns drop their first 2 on the season back to back.
Texas Tech: Previously, SE Louisiana (59-40 W).
In an ugly performance on both sides, Texas Tech is led by Jarrett Culver with 21 points on 8-12 shooting from the field as he was the only player for the Red Raiders in double figures. Tech was 26% from 3 point range and 42% from the field in the contest. Texas Tech looked to be one of the more dominant teams in the conference and with a 13 game non-conference slate, their are days teams don’t play as well. But Tech did not look good in this game.
Upcoming Slate: Monday vs. USC (Hall of Fame Classic, Kansas City MO.). Tuesday vs. Nebraska/Missouri State. Saturday vs. Northern Colorado.
Tech will be jam packed this week beginning on Monday with the Hall of Fame Classic against USC. USC got a early season bad loss against Vandy. Texas Tech has a chance to get a good win early in the year and they get it with Jarrett Culver leading the way in a 78-69 win over the Trojans. Nebraska has 3 wins against really bad teams. Tech takes care of business and wins the Hall of Fame Classic.
West Virginia: Previously, Monmouth (71-53 W). Western Kentucky (57-63 L). Saint Joseph’s. (98-90 W).
Oh boy, where has this come from? In their contest against 0-4 Monmouth, They were led by Ahmad who finished with 16 points and Konate who finished with 14 points and 8 rebounds. As 80% of the Big 12 did, West Virginia struggled from beyond the arc with an abysmal 26% from 3. They would proceed to lose to Western Kentucky the next day. Western Kentucky who had lost to UCF by 17 the game before defeated WVU behind stout defense and forcing 22 WVU turnovers. Ahmad led all scores once again with 12 points and 5 rebounds. WVU’s offense finally came alive against Saint Joseph’s as Lamonte West scored 27 points off the bench as he shot 7-11 from 3 and 8-12 overall from the field. Konate also bounced back in this game with 15 points and 9 rebounds.
Upcoming Slate: Saturday vs. Valparaiso.
Valpo is another team that dropped a game to Western Kentucky. West Virginia wont drop this game as West continues his fluid stroke and Konate nabs a double-double.
