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Snowflakes: Big 12 Hoops

by Patrick Snow

* The best storyline in the conference this season has easily been the Baylor Bears. At 16-3 overall and 4-1 in league play, Scott Drew’s team has a legitimate chance to be in the Big Dance. His team has five scorers averaging in double figures, and last week they won the college game of the year, defeating Texas A&M 116-110 in five overtimes. And what a journey it’s been for Drew, who took over Baylor in the ugly Dave Bliss aftermath. The Bears had only won 12 conference games in the last 4 seasons previous to this year. Drew probably had to question his decision more than once to leave Mid-Con champion Valparaiso to come to Big 12 outpost Baylor. But with hard work and solid recruiting, Drew looks to have the Bears on their way to 20 wins and an NCAA berth. Jeff Gordon points out that other conference teams are finding league play much harder now that Baylor is a legitimate player in the Big 12.

* What a huge win Texas A&M got Wednesday night when they defeated arch-rival and #10 ranked Texas 80-63. The Aggies started the season 15-1, but then lost at Texas Tech, at Kansas State, and at home to Baylor in a heartbreaking 116-110 five overtime thriller. After those three defeats, it was the first chance for Texas A&M players to lose confidence or question the system of new coach Mark Turgeon. However, the Aggies bounced back with a gritty road win at Oklahoma State and then played one of their better games of the season in blowing out the Longhorns. Things are looking positive that the transition from Billy Gillispie to Turgeon has gone well, and that Texas A&M should continue to be a tough out in Big 12 play.

* Things are not looking so good in Stillwater where Oklahoma State has lost five in a row and now stand at 10-10 on the season. While most of the five conference losses have been close, you have to wonder what direction this program is going under Sean Sutton. His team, like his father’s, plays a rough and defensive style of ball. It’s great when it works, but kids can get frustrated easily when they lose games and feel restricted by the defensive emphasis. It also can make recruiting big-time playmakers difficult if your reputation becomes that you hold back good scorers. The rest of this season will be very interesting to see how the Cowboys bounce back and try to avoid whiffing on the postseason.

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