Big 12 Basketball: Midseason recap, awards, and observations

Bottom five teams

10. Baylor Bears 12-8 (2-6)

The Bears of recent years have never been a great offense but tend to use their superior athleticism to beat opponents. That’s not the case in this year’s Big 12, as every team can match up with Baylor size and speed. It’s caused them to be in last place, with few suggestions on how to improve.

9. Iowa State Cyclones 11-8 (2-6)

This may be a bad team compared to the other conference squads, but the Cyclones are a fun and entertaining bunch to watch. And even if they don’t win, they have an outstanding freshman, along with a junior that’s on a nightly triple-double watch.

8. Oklahoma State Cowboys 13-7 (3-5)

The Cowboys have been a feast or famine team in conference play. There have been games where they looked great and others they’ve been awful. There is no middle ground for this team.

7. TCU Horned Frogs 15-5 (3-5)

The Horned Frogs had a perfect non-conference, only to lose four of the team’s first five games. The margin was razor-thin, including a couple of overtime games, but this team needs that go-to player in crunch time.

6. Texas Longhorns 14-7 (4-4)

The Longhorns have been dealing with the Andrew Jones situation, while still trying to find the right rotation to win games. Overall, the offense has been better, while the defense has remained very good. This team already surpassed their win total from a year ago and looks to be heading back to March Madness.