The Baylor Bears roll into Allen Fieldhouse tonight not only as one of the best teams in the Big 12 but as one of the greatest in the nation. Currently the Bears are No. 4 in the country and are one of the few unbeaten teams left. Clearly a lot is on the line for Bill Self and the Kansas Jayhawks if they hope to stave off a new challenger and claim their eighth straight Big 12 conference title. If so, Self should be considered a frontrunner for the coach of the year in the conference.
“This may be the greatest test for Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse all season,” write Kory Carpenter and Max Rothman from the Daily Kansan. “The Bears have never been this athletic, skilled or deep. The Jayhawks haven’t lost yet in Big 12 play, but head into Big Monday off three consecutive mediocre first halves against Oklahoma, Texas Tech and Iowa State. Junior forward Thomas Robinson gets his chance to prove that he’s the best big man in the conference, perhaps the country. The hunt for the Big 12 crown is on, and it heats up in the fieldhouse among a bevy of NBA talents.”
This is definitely the best overall match-up yet in Big 12 conference play. It’s too early to say it will derail the hopes of one team or another for a Big 12 title, but it will show just how real each team is and will position things for the rest of the year.