Preview: Baylor

Photo Attribution: USATSI

Vitals

Tip: 8:30 PM CDT
Location: Kansas City, MO
TV: Big 12 Network
Online Stream: here
Radio: Cowboy Radio Network
Online radio: here
Announcers: Dave Armstrong and Reid Gettys
Line: Cowboys – 3

Records

Cowboys – 23-7 (13-5)
Bears – 18-13 (9-9)

Best win

Cowboys – Kansas (KenPom: #8)
Bears – Kansas (KenPom: #8)

Worst loss

Cowboys – Virginia Tech (KenPom: #161)
Bears – College of Charleston (KenPom: #158)

KenPom rank

Cowboys – #16
Bears – #41

Data nerds

[table id=106 /]

Adj. efficiency – Points per 100 possessions (adjusted for quality of opponent and site of game).
Adj. tempo – Possessions per game (adjusted for schedule and pace of other team).
Effective FG % – Takes into account extra value of 3s.

Three things to watch

1. Terrifying – Which team in the Big 12 is a worse matchup for OSU? Kansas? Nope. Kansas State? Not a chance? Iowa State? Maybe, I guess, you could talk me into it, but OSU is as athletic as the Cyclones. OU? A worse version of OSU. Nobody compares to Baylor. They have multiple athletic big guys and a star at point guard[1. I’m scared of “angry because he was left off the All-Big 12 first team” version of Pierre Jackson.] that can negate whatever Marcus Smart does. Thankfully nobody has determined whether or not the pen Scott Drew uses to draw up plays has any ink in it. That’s the only thing keeping that talent from being a top three Big 12 team.

2. Three ball – OSU has shot 13% and 14% from three-point range against Baylor in its two games this year. I honestly think if they shoot over 35% today they win pretty easily. They’re a more disciplined, better defensive team than Baylor but they shot themselves out of it in Waco and nearly did the same thing in Stillwater[1. Marcus Smart 4 pope…still.]. Looking at you, No. 13.

3. Silver lining – The silver lining is this for OSU: everybody in the country is riding them hard as a dark horse in the tournament right now. I know that means little to our actual team but I’d rather head into the Dance a little bit more under the rader. You lose tonight and everybody’s off. I’m not calling for (or predicting) a loss, just writing this before the game so I don’t look foolish doing so beforehand.

Last time

OSU made the semifinals of the Big 12 Tournament was in 2009 with James Anderson and Byron Eaton. Lost by eight to Mizzou.

Prediction

Porter: Good guys – 72-67
KenPom: Oklahoma State – 70-67