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Big 12 Basketball Takeaways: Kansas State, Texas Tech make statements

By Chris Kern

LAS VEGAS, NV - NOVEMBER 24: Dean Wade
LAS VEGAS, NV - NOVEMBER 24: Dean Wade /
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WACO, TX – FEBRUARY 21: Head coach Scott Drew of the Baylor Bears reacts as the Baylor Bears take on the Oklahoma Sooners at Ferrell Center on February 21, 2017, in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
WACO, TX – FEBRUARY 21: Head coach Scott Drew of the Baylor Bears reacts as the Baylor Bears take on the Oklahoma Sooners at Ferrell Center on February 21, 2017, in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Baylor moves closer to off the bubble

The Baylor Bears have played themselves pretty much off of the bubble after picking up wins over Iowa State on the road and West Virginia at home. The win in Ames on Tuesday night was also big in terms of the regular season title race.

Baylor was able to win that game with King McClure still not available as well as Makai Mason not having a good shooting game. He still finished with 14 points but he was just 4-for-18 from the field. The guy who picked up the slack in that game was Jared Butler. He finished with 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists.

They battled in that game on both ends of the floor and that lifts them out of the bubble picture for now. They are currently a No. 8 seed in the most recent Busting Brackets bracketology so, barring an epic collapse, they will be participating in the NCAA Tournament.

Baylor almost started that epic collapse, though, as they really struggled Saturday afternoon at home against West Virginia. They trailed by seven midway through the second half but they battled back and were able to pull away late to pick up an 82-75 victory.

This team continues to get slept on in the Big 12 but people need to take notice. They have dealt with many injuries this season that should’ve derailed them but they keep on competing at a high level. They currently have a 9-5 conference record, which puts them in a tie with Kansas for 3rd place. That is two games behind Kansas State at the top of the conference. Baylor plays in Manhattan next Saturday so that will need to be a win if they want any chance at a Big 12 regular season title.

While that certainly is something they’re striving for, they are aware it’s unlikely and that they need to be focused on the postseason. They are shaping up to be a dangerous seven or eight seed that could potentially make a run to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament and after the two wins they picked up this week, they’re basically a lock to be dancing in March.

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