Big 12 Basketball Tournament: Kansas State, Texas Tech favored to win

Players To Watch

Mario Kegler – Baylor

Mario Kegler has really stepped up in some recent wins for Baylor. They have a good team mindset with many different guys stepping up but his size and skill make him tough to defend. They’ve dealt with so many injuries throughout the season and his play has been a big reason as to why they’ve remained successful. He will need to keep that up throughout both the Big 12 and NCAA Tournament’s for this team to have success.

When people think about Baylor, they most likely think about Makai Mason and rightfully so but Kegler has been a huge part of the team’s success. In the 25 games he played in this season he averaged 10.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. He did shoot just 28% from three-point range but he more than made up for that in other areas.

Dean Wade – Kansas State

Dean Wade has dealt with some injuries this season that have limited his effectiveness at times but he is a difference maker for this Kansas State team. They really struggle offensively without him on the floor. His ability to make plays for himself and for others plays a big part in their offense. If they want to win the Big 12 Tournament they need him to be aggressive from the get-go.

Wade did miss a few games this season but he was still out there for 25 games. In those games, he averaged 12.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. His scoring is down from the 16.2 he averaged last season but the team is better and he is still making a huge impact. Barry Brown playing at an elite level is part of that as well.

Devon Dotson – Kansas

Devon Dotson has really struggled in recent games after having some big performances for this team. His quickness is very tough for opposing teams to defend and he will need to continue to use that to his advantage. He needs to play smarter and make a big impact on both ends of the floor for this team to have any chance of winning the Big 12 Tournament.

He has had an up and down freshman season but he certainly has had some big moments this season. It’ll be interesting to see if he can get back on track but either way, Kansas fans are excited to see him progress.  He started all 31 games this season averaging 11.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. His ability to attack the basket in transition is key and is something the Jayhawks will need more of going forward.

Christian James – Oklahoma

The senior guard has been very inconsistent this season as has the whole Oklahoma team. They are looking like an NCAA Tournament team at the moment but if they want to make a run there and in the Big 12 Tournament they need Christian James to step up and play like the star caliber player he can be.

James has had a solid senior season and has the Sooners back in the NCAA Tournament when many people didn’t expect them to be there. He started all 31 games averaging 14.5 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. The play of Brady Manek and Kristian Doolittle is needed for this team to make a run in the Big 12 tourney but don’t count them out no matter who their opponent is.

Jaxson Hayes – Texas

Jaxson Hayes is one of the top NBA Draft prospects in this conference as he is a potential lottery pick this summer. His ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor is key for this Texas team as they will look to pick up another win or two to secure an NCAA Tournament bid.

Hayes has been a very good player this season and it ended with him earning the Big 12 Freshman of the Year award. He played in all 31 games, starting in 20 of them as he averaged 10.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game. Texas has been struggling since Roach was suspended and they will need a big game out of Hayes against Kansas to secure an NCAA Tournament win.