Big 12 Basketball Matchup & Player of the Week

Top Matchup in the Big 12 This Week

Baylor (14-5) at Iowa State (14-5) | (Saturday, Feb 2nd) Iowa State had a surprising loss to us last week, but made up for it by knocking off the #11 Kansas State Wildcats their very next game. They are going to have another hard one against Oklahoma State this week, but regardless if they lose to OSU the game against Baylor on Saturday should be the best game of the week in all the Big 12. Baylor has gotten off to a great Big 12 start and is 5-1 currently in conference play. Their only Big 12 loss is to the top ranked KU Jayhawks. I think Baylor should take down OU beginning this week and go into this match Saturday thinking they might have a chance to lose. Baylor and Iowa State will be making the NCAA tournament this year, and they both have chances to knock off the Jayhawks in the Big 12 tournament to take the title. When I watch Baylor I think sometimes they are unstoppable with Pierre Jackson, Isaiah Austin, and Cory Jefferson running their talented offense. They like to take control of the game and run away with it, usually not looking back. Then I remember the games that they have lost and remind myself when they lose it is usually very ugly. ISU on the other hand gets going with their squad and wants to play the game fast to keep pace with anybody. They don’t lose big in games. The reason Texas Tech beat ISU was we were lucky they had a bad shooting night, and we slowed down the game without letting them get into their rhythm. This game on Saturday will not be that way. ISU and Baylor are going to be running, dunking, and shooting the threes without blinking. It will be a wonderful game to watch if you want to see some highlights happen. ISU has 5 guys that average double-figures in scoring and I bet they all get there on Saturday. In my opinion Baylor has the better players, but Iowa State has the better team that plays together. Baylor might pull this one out and establish they are the clear #2 team in the Big 12, but I think Iowa State will not let this happen on their home court. Predicted Winner - Iowa State

Big 12 Player of the Week

Phil Forte (Oklahoma State)| The freshman guard had a quiet game early last week to Baylor in a loss that he left with 4 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals. Then in the game against West Virginia on Saturday he when off from downtown. Forte hit 3 outside shots on a first half 19-3 run by OSU, and put in 2 on a second half 11-4 run. OSU won the game and Forte finished with 26 points, 1 rebound, 4 assists, and 1 steal. He hit 6 threes in the game, and was a perfect 6-6 from the free throw line while doing it all coming off the bench.