Some teams were stumbling out of the gates this week, losing to inferior opponents. For others, statements were made and resumes were built as Non-Conference play is nearing it’s end and the new year is just on the horizon. This week and next week will be the last chance to build momentum before the gauntlet that is the Big 12 begins.
Baylor: Previously, Arizona (58-49 W).
In a very ugly game where the teams combined 3 point percentage was 53, Baylor came into Tucson and physically beat the Wildcats. Makai Mason lead the way for the Bears with 22 points on 8-15 from the field. The most impressive individual from the Bears came from F Mark Vital as he finished with almost more rebounds by himself than the entire Arizona team. Vital had 17 rebounds, while the Wildcats as a team had 19. 8 of Vital’s rebounds were offensive as he was all over the place on the glass. Rebounding ended up being the ultimate deciding factor in the contest as the Bears pummeled the Wildcats 51-19 on the glass. It’s a win the Bears needed badly as the toughest part of the non-conference slate is coming up.
Upcoming Slate: Tuesday vs. Stephen F. Austin, Friday at. Oregon.
Ever since Brad Underwood left as the Head Coach at SFA, the production has gone a bit down. Although the Lumberjacks finished with 28 wins a year ago, they are almost matching last years loss total this season. Their best win is against Milwaukee and they’ve lost back to back games against Mid-Major schools from the state of Louisiana in ULM and Louisiana Tech. Probably the toughest game on this schedule for the Bears is the Bol Bol-led Oregon Ducks. Like Baylor, Oregon dropped a game earlier this year to Texas Southern, but has a big win over #15 Syracuse to their resume. They’ve only played one true road game this year and they lost to Houston. In a back and forth contest, Oregon leaves Waco with a 4 point win as the Bears go 1-1 this week.
Iowa State: Previously, Drake (77-68 W).
The lack of turnovers and lack of getting to the free throw line for the Bulldogs evidently was the reason behind Iowa State’s 9 point win on Saturday. Matt Jacobson finished with 22 points and Tailen Horton-Tucker was a rebound away from a double-double with 15 points and 9 rebounds. Drake was only able to go to the free throw line once in the entire game and give up the ball 14 times compared to Iowa State’s 7. Although Drake shot better from the field than the Cyclones (49-44), free Throws ended up being the deciding factor as Iowa State was 8-12 from the free throw line and did just enough to win a game they should’ve won by more.
Upcoming Slate: Friday vs. Eastern Illinois
EIU did drop a close contest to UT early in the season and has won 3 in a row. Expect EIU to play it close for a little while, but Iowa State pulls away and ends up winning by 15+.
Kansas: Previously, #17 Villanova (74-71 W).
Legerald Vick and Dedric Lawson combine for 57 points and 19 rebounds as Kansas was able to fend off Villanova in a big time atmosphere in the middle of December. Phil Booth led the way for Villanova with 29 points on 11-21 shooting from the field. Kansas held Nova to 28% from 3 point range and 40% from the field. Kansas was able to outrebound the Wildcats, 35-26 and Nova was in foul trouble throughout. It’s a key win to gain some momentum before their big road matchup on Saturday.
Upcoming Slate: Tuesday, vs. South Dakota. Saturday, at. #20 Arizona State.
South Dakota has games where the look competitive and can beat any average Power 5 schools. Other games, they can’t compete with average Mid Major schools. South Dakota nearly beat Baylor in Waco, but also lost by 24 to Colorado. They could stay competitive with Kansas for a bit, but KU should coast unless they have a awful shooting day, then it will be close. Kansas will be looking to get some revenge after losing to the Sun Devils a year ago in Allen Fieldhouse. Arizona State is led by Freshman Stud Luguentz Dort out of Canada. The 6’4 Guard is averaging 20 points per game on 6 rebounds a contest. Also watch out for the 6’7 Duo of Sopohmore Kimani Lawrence and Senior Zylan Cheatham. This Kansas team is better than last year’s and in a hostile environment, Kansas squeaks by Arizona State, 71-66 and goes 2-0.
Kansas State: Previously, Georgia State (71-59 W).
Kansas State won this game, but also took a loss in the fact that F Dean Wade was taken out of the game and is out indefinitely due to a Foot Injury. Barry Brown led all scores on 8-10 shooting with 21 points. Georgia State stayed in this game with decent shooting from the field and forcing 19 K-State turnovers.
Upcoming Slate: Wednesday vs. Southern Miss. Saturday vs. Vanderbilt (Kansas City, MO).
Southern Miss is currently 7-3 on the year and has solid wins over SMU and a road win against Troy. USM also lost to a school called “William Carey”. KSU rolls. Vanderbilt is coming off of an impressive win at home against #18 Arizona State in a game where their defense was lock down and held ASU to 32% from the field. Vandy’s not going to be an easy matchup and in a game where it’ll essentially be considered a home game, the Commodores pull off another upset and beat K-State. Kansas State goes 1-1 this week.
Oklahoma: Previously, USC (81-70 W).
Although Oklahoma shot just 33% from 3 and 60% from the free throw line, Miles Reynolds and Christian James scored 15+ points in a big win for the Sooners to improve to 9-1 on the season. USC was in foul trouble and was playing behind the 8 ball throughout the entire game. Although he scored just 2 points, Freshman Jamal Bieniemy was a spark off the bench pitching in 5 rebounds and 6 assists in his best game of his young career.
Upcoming Slate: Tuesday, vs. Creighton. Friday at. Northwestern.
Creighton continues to be a threat in the Big East as they lead the conference and has put together a good non-conference schedule. Creighton has defeated Horizon Powerhouse Green Bay and upset #16 Clemson on a neutral court. 2 of their 3 losses has been to #1 Gonzaga and #24 Nebraska. They are led by Oak Hill Academy Alum, Sophomore Guard Ty-Shon Alexander. Creighton has one of the the better offenses in the country, ranking in the Top 30. But with Oklahoma having the home court advantage and the ability for OU to put up some points of their own, OU wins a close ballgame. Northwestern has been okay so far in 2018. Their best win is against Lowly Georgia Tech, but nearly pulled off a colossal upset over #5 Michigan. Opposite of Creighton, Northwestern plays really good defense. Northwestern shows up to play to pull off the upset they nearly had when they defeat Oklahoma.
Oklahoma State: Previously, Nebraska (56-79 L).
Oklahoma State was down by just 2 at the break and had a legitimate shot at pulling off a huge win against an above average Big 10 team. Then they let Nebraska get to the free throw line 23 times and the Cowboys shot 13% from 3 in what turned into a blowout loss to Nebraska. James Palmer Jr. finished with 29 points on an abysmal 6-17 shooting. Palmer was effective from the free throw line as he sunk 14 of his 15 free throws in the contest. Michael Weathers was able to come off the bench and create a spark with 13 points, but had 5 turnovers. Cameron McGriff had a poor game shooting with just 2 points on 1-8 from the field. The Senior did collect 10 rebounds but that wasn’t nearly enough.
Upcoming Slate: Friday vs. Central Arkansas
UCA has played 3 Power 5 schools and lost to all 3 of them by double digits. They lost to Louisville by 45 and Pittsburgh by 26. Oklahoma State should bounce back and pick up a win against the Bears.
TCU: Previously, Indiana State (70-90 L).
The three headed guard monsters of Robinson, Bane, and Fisher finished with 51 of the teams 90 points as TCU finished off Indiana State in the 2nd half. TCU dished out 20 assists on their 33 made shots as the Horned Frogs also forced 20 turnovers and kept the Sycamores off balance from beyond the arc.
Upcoming Slate: Saturday vs. Charlotte (Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic).
Charlotte started off promising with a upset win at home against Oklahoma State. But when they leave their home court, it has not been good for the 49ers as they’ve dropped 3 straight on the road. This game will be in Hawaii and a game TCU should handle throughout and get a win .
Texas: Previously, Grand Canyon (98-60 W).
In a rare game where Kerwin Roach came off the bench, he cashed in 15 points on 6-8 shooting as the Longhorns scored 56 points in the first half and crushed Grand Canyon. Evan Mitrou-Long (brother of Iowa State alum, Naz) got the start and had 16 points on an efficient 6-8 shooting. UT was lights out from long range connecting on 16 3’s and finishing with 53%. They outrebounded GCU, 42-25 and had 22 assists on their 37 made baskets. UT had 6 players in double figures and played their most complete, dominant, game in 2018 so far.
Upcoming Slate: Friday vs. Providence.
Providence shows that they can hang around as they’ve defeated Boston College on the road, South Carolina on a neutral court, and nearly beat Wichita State. But in their lone game against a Top 25 team, they lost by 19 to Michigan. Texas is a Top 25 and on the road, I don’t see the Friars defeating Texas in Austin. Longhorns win.
Texas Tech: Previously, Northwestern State (79-44 W). Abilene Christian (82-48 W).
Northwestern State put up a staggering 10 points in the first half and was scoreless for the final 7 minutes of that same half. Tech was up by 43 points and was able to do whatever they wanted against Northwestern State. Texas Tech had more assists than NWSU had made baskets in the game (16 assists to 13 made baskets). Tech forced 19 turnovers and got solid play out of Jarrett Culver (15 points), Tariq Owens (14 points) and Matt Mooney (11 Points). Abilene Christian was able to put up 26 in a half, but was not able to contain Jarrett Culver. As he was a man out of his mind, shooting 12-13 from the field and 30 points on 7 rebounds. Once again, Tech forced ACU to shoot below 30% from the field and 23% from 3 point range. Tech continues to show how they can put away inferior opponents with ease.
Upcoming Slate: #2 Duke (Madison Square Garden).
Although Kansas is the #1 team, Duke has by far been the most talked about team in the nation and for good reason. The 4 headed freshman monsters in Barrett, Williamson, Reddish, and Jones has been terrorizing opponents including a 64 point win over Stetson. Texas Tech is among the best in the Big 12, but they’re #11 ranking might be a little inflating. Texas Tech hangs around, but ultimately losses against the Blue Devils in New York.
West Virginia: Previously, Rhode Island (70-83 L).
The Mountaineers shot 32% from the field as Rhode Island was able to run away with it in the 2nd half after being up just 2 at the break. Rhode Island had 5 players in double figures in the scoring department. Although, WVU is able to hold their own on the glass, WVU coughed it up 15 times and Rhode Island was able to capitalize on the mistakes. Wesley Harris was able to be efficient for WVU with 5-6 shooting and 18 points, Maybe he needed to shoot a little bit more or WVU might be in this ballgame and may have walked out with a win.
Upcoming Slate: Saturday vs. Jacksonville State.
After a struggling start, Jacksonville State has picked themselves up and has won 6 of their last 7. Their lone loss was a 4 point game on the road against Wichita State. Jacksonville State is an above average defense and West Virginia is one of the worst offensive teams in the Big 12. Its a closer game than WVU fans expect, but the home team ends up winning.
Image Credit: https://www.ourdailybears.com/2018/12/16/18143202/baylor-arizona-three-takeaways-from-big-win
