We’re headed into another pivotal weekend of Big 12 basketball, and this Saturday’s games could be the most impactful we’ve seen to this point in the season.
To the casual fan, the Saturday slate might leave something to be desired. There’s just one game between Top 25 teams and the other ranked Big 12 teams are facing opponents with losing records in league play. However, anyone familiar with the nuances of this league knows that there is so much riding on the outcomes of this weekend’s matchups, particularly the games involving teams near the top of the league standings.
Here are the top three storylines to follow as we go into the Big 12 action on Saturday, February 8.
Can K-State Keep Its Winning Streak Alive?
Kansas State was dead in the water two weeks ago. The Wildcats were sitting at 7-11 with a 1-6 record in Big 12 play, and their offense had topped 70 points just twice in seven Big 12 games. However, the Wildcats have scored 71 or more in four straight wins, picking up perhaps the most impressive win in Big 12 play this season with an 80-61 win over Iowa State in the Hilton on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the up-and-down season in Lawrence continues as KU continues to be one of the most unpredictable teams in the country. After losing to Houston in a brutal double-overtime loss, the Jayhawks hosted UCF and let the Knights hang around in a sloppy 91-87 contest. Then, in Waco, against a Baylor team that had dropped three of its last five, Kansas blew the biggest lead in a loss in program history, losing 81-70 after leading by 21 at halftime. Then, as if by magic, that same KU team came back home and rocked Iowa State in a 69-52 blowout.
If K-State can keep the winning streak going, it would likely put them on the bubble and into a great position to make a run at a tournament appearance, with five of their eight remaining opponents being below .500 in Big 12 play. However, if Kansas can pick up a much-needed road win, it could set the tone for a tough stretch to finish out the year.
Can Iowa State Shake Its Three-Game Skid?
Whatever switch Kansas State switched to turn things on, Iowa State hit to turn things off, as they’ve dropped three games in a row and fallen from a one-seed to a three-seed in the latest bracketology update.
As concerning as any three-game losing streak might be, Iowa State’s current situation is worthy of borderline panic. Prior to the loss to Arizona, Iowa State was 17-2 with a two-point loss to Auburn and a seven-point road loss to West Virginia as their only blemishes. In the last two weeks, however, the Cyclones have lost by 11 points (@ Arizona), 19 points (vs. Kansas State), and 17 points (@ Kansas).
Milan Momcilovic can’t come back fast enough for this group, as his absence over the last seven games has severely crippled Iowa State’s offensive output. Luckily, the Cyclones are set to host TCU on Saturday, which ranked 14th out of 16 Big 12 teams in opponent FG% (.468).
High Stakes in Texas Tech vs. Arizona
The lone ranked Big 12 matchup of the weekend is a big one, as No. 13 Texas Tech (18-4, 9-2 Big 12) rides into Arizona on a seven-game winning streak and looks like a team that is starting to hit its stride. However, the Red Raiders road trip will bring them to the McKale Center, where they’ll have to deal with a rowdy U of A crowd and a hot Arizona team.
The Wildcats have won five straight and 12 of their last 13 games, ascending to No. 20 in the AP Poll and first in the Big 12 standings (10-1). Their only loss in that stretch? A 70-54 loss at Texas Tech. There’s no doubt that Arizona will be looking to set the tone in this game early, and if they do, it could be trouble for even the hottest team in America. The Wildcats are 12-1 at home this season, their only loss coming in November against Duke, and in Big 12 play alone, Arizona is winning home games by an average of 11 points.
Houston and Arizona are currently tied for first in the Big 12, but Texas Tech can not only break that tie with a win, but also leapfrog the Wildcats in the standings while they’re at it. Plus, with the lone win over Houston in Big 12 play, Texas Tech could put all the pressure on the Cougars when they come to Lubbock later this month. Meanwhile, a win for Arizona would not only allow them to keep pace with Houston for first place, but would also heighten the stakes for their home date against the Coogs next week.
Whoever wins this game will be in an excellent spot to grasp the No. 1 seed in the Big 12 Tournament next month, and both of them will get a shot at Houston before all is said and done.
