Big 12 Basketball: Mid-season power rankings

Mar 13, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of the championship logo mid-court before the game between the Kansas Jayhawks and Baylor Bears during the semifinals round of the Big 12 Championship at Sprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jan 26, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners forward Khadeem Lattin (12) blocks a shot attempt by Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Devaugntah Williams (0) during the first half at Lloyd Noble Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Oklahoma Sooners

18-2, 6-2 Big 12

So far this season, Khadeem Lattin is shooting 42% on midrange jumpers, and 47% of his shot attempts come from the midrange, according to hoop-math.com, which is the best on the entire team. Not Buddy Hield, not Jordan Woodard, not Isaiah Cousins, but Khadeem Lattin is Oklahoma’s best midranger jump-shooter this season, at least percentage wise.

It’s not like Lattin is making some super-impressive, contested jumpers, though. Opposing defenses generally leave him wide-open in order to try and slow down the trio of Hield, Woodard, and Cousins. But Lattin making shots that the defense is deliberately giving to him is huge for Oklahoma’s offense.

Lattin’s real impact is felt at the other side of the floor, where opponents are shooting just 50% at the rim against the Sooners, a mark that is the best in the Big 12. Lattin’s shot-blocking ability has a lot to do with this.

All of this has culminated into Lattin emerging as the clear-cut best option to take most of the minutes at center for the Sooners, and Lon Kruger has played him as such in conference play, as he’s averaging just under 29 minutes per game, along with six points, seven rebounds, and over four blocks.

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