Big 12 Overrated?

[jchusky]

safe to say Big 12 is not bad, also that coach that can't coach at Baylor 20-5 and her team rolling as of late, gonna be excited to see how far they go in the tournament.

 

[southie]

If the focus is on margin of loss/victory, maybe.

But they lost to Kansas State, who isn't even in the top half of the conference.

In the end, it's not clear that anyone in the Big 12 deserves to even be a 2 seed.

What should the focus be on? No way can you still believe ISU is the most consistent team in the conference.

So, one loss on the road early in the conference season is what you're basing that on? Come on. As much as I dislike Baylor, they are trending in the right direction the last couple of weeks. They are a shoe-in for a #2 seed unless they lose more than 2 games the rest of the season.

 

[SECbbfan24]

If the focus is on margin of loss/victory, maybe.

But they lost to Kansas State, who isn't even in the top half of the conference.

In the end, it's not clear that anyone in the Big 12 deserves to even be a 2 seed.

Baylor somehow surviving that Kansas game on the road earlier this season may potentially salvage that Big 12 title streak. Kansas had the game in their hands before the ultimate choke job to end the game.

OU just set themselves back big time and needs help given the bad loss to Tech at home. Iowa St does not inspire much confidence with their play lately. If there is anything to be learned watching some of these Big 12 games lately, I suppose anything can happen.

 

[mudcat]

And I stand by my question: Who's been more consistent?

Maybe TCU?

None: Inconsistent Baylor is the most consistent, but the conference as a whole is not only inconsistent, but at their best isn't very good (beating each other up doesn't count).

 

[southie]

None: Inconsistent Baylor is the most consistent, but the conference as a whole is not only inconsistent, but at their best isn't very good (beating each other up doesn't count).

Who says it doesn't count? Last time I checked, wins against Top 10-25 NET teams count whether they are non-conference or in conference.

 

[southie]

Iowa State does great against teams who don't play good defense. When they play teams who can defend and rebound, they are outmatched; seen it 3 times this season.

But, when they aren't being defended, and they get ahead early with their 3-pointers falling, it's hard to catch up the rest of the game.

 

[jchusky]

What should the focus be on? No way can you still believe ISU is the most consistent team in the conference.

So, one loss on the road early in the conference season is what you're basing that on? Come on. As much as I dislike Baylor, they are trending in the right direction the last couple of weeks. They are a shoe-in for a #2 seed unless they lose more than 2 games the rest of the season.

if I could like more of your posts I would, always like when people are objective. I definitely think you guys win a title with Schafer in the next 5 years. He's got the coaching to elevate a team, just needs his own recruits to put his own team on the floor.

 

[Plebe]

Iowa State does great against teams who don't play good defense. When they play teams who can defend and rebound, they are outmatched; seen it 3 times this season.

But, when they aren't being defended, and they get ahead early with their 3-pointers falling, it's hard to catch up the rest of the game.

Why are you so overly invested in knocking Iowa State? it's quite a fine line to be trashing the league-leading team while defending the quality of the conference.

 

[southie]

Why are you so overly invested in knocking Iowa State? it's quite a fine line to be trashing the league-leading team while defending the quality of the conference.

You can't be serious. My analysis is not "knocking" or "trashing" ISU just because you don't like it.

 

[southie]

Great points. I think the pressure is on Iowa State this Wednesday. If they lose to Texas twice, what does this say about their ability to go deep in the tournament?

Having both Joens sisters back will help. The front court game will be what I'm focused on. ISU struggled with that last time I recall.

Sometimes one team (style) just doesn't match up well with another team (style). Vic Schaefer is now 5-0 against Bill Fennelly and ISU in his first two seasons at Texas. Despite going 0-3 against Texas last season, ISU came very close to making the Sweet 16 in that close OT loss to Texas A&M.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

Why are you so overly invested in knocking Iowa State? it's quite a fine line to be trashing the league-leading team while defending the quality of the conference.

Apart from whether he is knocking or not, he probably has hit the nail on the head about Iowa State. They do seem to struggle against some defenses. Part of that is the old mantra - "live by the 3, die by the 3". The wife and I have certain teams where being able to shoot the 3 is key - traditionally, Villanova and DePaul come to mind, as well as Iowa State.

 

[cancontent]

Sometimes one team (style) just doesn't match up well with another team (style). Vic Schaefer is now 5-0 against Bill Fennelly and ISU in his first two seasons at Texas. Despite going 0-3 against Texas last season, ISU came very close to making the Sweet 16 in that close OT loss to Texas A&M.

Style is a good way to describe it. When a commentator mentioned the word gritty last night, that also stuck with me. That's probably the best description as to what seems to be lacking with ISU.

Iowa State does great against teams who don't play good defense. When they play teams who can defend and rebound, they are outmatched; seen it 3 times this season.

But, when they aren't being defended, and they get ahead early with their 3-pointers falling, it's hard to catch up the rest of the game.

The inside game is definitely a weak spot from what I've noticed this season as well.

Why are you so overly invested in knocking Iowa State? it's quite a fine line to be trashing the league-leading team while defending the quality of the conference.

I didn't take @southie as trashing Iowa State. What they've noted are some of the same observations I've had watching them this season too. Tight / in your face defences seem to be a struggle for them, well at least in BIG12 conference play.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Wasn't ISU missing Ashley Joens in 2 of those blowout losses? That's a fairly massive piece of context that seems to be missing from all of the discussion in this thread.

How would Baylor do without NaLyssa Smith by comparison?

 

[cancontent]

I think the title of this post should be changed to Big 12 "Perplexing"? That's kind of how I feel as it gets closer to conference tournament time.