4 biggest Big XII games this week, and how they affect BYU
1. Texas Longhorns vs. 9 Kansas Jayhawks
On Saturday, Kansas will host Texas for the final time as Big XII foes. Texas entered the season with great expectations, but has underperformed and sits in 9th place in the standings. A loss at Kansas wouldn't be surprising, but at this point in the season with only one "easy" game left of the schedule against Oklahoma State, Texas will need to steal a few wins to get a good spot in March.
Kansas is still Kansas and is a lock for the big dance, but at 8-5 in conference play, they'll look to build some momentum to finish off their conference schedule. BYU will face the Jayhawks next week in Allen Fieldhouse, and the result of this game could tell us if another Texas Tech-esque 50-79 loss could be possible or was just a horrible fluke. BYU will hope to see some weaknesses in the Jayhawk armor.
2. TCU vs 23 Texas Tech
On the other side of the Longhorns' coin, the Horned Frogs have exceeded expectations this season, currently standing 5th in the Big XII, and the only team other than Houston with a winning record on the road. TCU also boasts the best offense in the conference and could give BYU's disintegrating defense problems when they meet later this season in Fort Worth.
Texas Tech stole a win from the Cougars in Lubbock earlier this season, where hot shooting from Tech paired with BYU's cold shooting to fuse for the perfect concoction for a BYU loss. A loss is a loss, though, and the Red Raiders have proved to be a strong team that can get hot at the right time against the right team (need I mention the Kansas game again?). How they hold up against the Horned Frogs will mean something to the Cougars.
3. 11 Baylor vs. 25 BYU
BYU's patented style of starting games with a big lead only to lose control throughout the game was in full force when the Cougars lost in Waco earlier this season. When these teams face each other in Provo, BYU will have a lot to prove following their ugly loss in Stillwater against the last-place Cowboys. Baylor is the perfect target for the statement win BYU needs to right the ship after their ugly performances in the past few weeks.
Baylor comes into this game with plenty to prove as well. After losing a handful of games in the middle of their conference schedule, the Bears have had great wins against Iowa State, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma. BYU won't come into this game scared and will have the best student section in the conference to back them up, but Baylor will look to steal another win from the Cougs on Tuesday.
4. Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State
Oklahoma has been up and down this season, getting red hot to start the year, and cooling off significantly as conference play began (sound familiar?). Winning some impressive games against BYU and Iowa State was great for the Sooners, but aside from those wins, OU is still only winning the games they're "supposed to", while losing the games that could boost their tournament resume.
On the other side, Oklahoma State will be hosting the Sooners after nearly winning in Norman a few weeks ago. After a dominant win over BYU, are the Cowboys turning a new leaf, or was that a fluke occurrence? BYU will face the Cowboys again in Provo this season, and won't allow themselves to overlook Oklahoma State again.