Big 12 Basketball: 2021 Conference Tournament preview and predictions

Jared Butler – Baylor

2020-21 stats: 17.1 ppg, 5.0 apg, 2.14 spg

The best player on the best team in the conference, it is no mystery just how good Butler has been for the Bears this season.  With just three single-digit games under his belt this season, Butler has been a nightmare for opposing Big 12 foes, regularly serving as the catalyst for Baylor’s late-game runs.

Since scoring just five in Baylor’s loss to Kansas, Butler has averaged 21.7 points on 54.8% shooting, as well as 5.3 assists, in his last three games.  Overall, he ranks in the top five in the Big 12 in offensive rating, efficiency field goal percentage, assist rate, steal percentage, and three-point percentage.

Ochai Agbaji – Kansas

2020-21 stats: 13.7 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.9 bpg

There is not necessarily a clear-cut star on this Kansas team – all five starters average double-figures, and all five are capable of pouring in 20 points a night.  David McCormack would be the closest, but in the wake of the news that McCormack will be out due to COVID-19 protocol, Agbaji is the next man up.

After a streak where he registered double-digits in 19 of the Jayhawks’ first 21 games, Agbaji has slid a bit as of late, reaching that same mark in just three of Kansas’ last six – but the junior is still coming off a 19-point game against UTEP, where he shot 4-6 on two-pointers and 3-6 from the perimeter.  With McCormack out, Agbaji must step up to the challenge in replacing his offensive production.

Miles McBride – West Virginia

2020-21 stats: 15.3 ppg, 4.7 apg, 1.8 spg

While Derek Culver’s flourishment and play inside helped West Virginia survive the transition to the post-Oscar Tshiebwe era, it has been the development of McBride that has kept the Mountaineers afloat all season.  After coming off the bench nearly all of last season, McBride has taken the reigns of West Virginia’s offense and has run with it – which has included career-highs in points (31 vs. Kansas) and assists (9 vs. Florida).

McBride has struggled a bit as of late but is still entering the tournament having averaged 13.7 points and 5.0 assists in his last three games.  For the season, McBride ranks second in the Big 12 in assist rate and three-point percentage (45.6%).

Cade Cunningham – Oklahoma State

2020-21 stats: 19.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 3.5 apg, 1.4 spg

The Big 12 Player of the Year and the projected number-one pick in the NBA Draft, Cunningham has been nothing short of a monster this season, and his play has undoubtedly been the biggest season for the Cowboys’ redemption from the NCAA violations debacle.  The league leader in scoring, Cunningham already has a 40-point game under his repertoire – in a win over Oklahoma that also included 11 rebounds – and he most recently put up 24 at Baylor.

He was forced to sit out of OSU’s most recent win over West Virginia, leaving his status for the Big 12 Tournament up in the air.  If he – alongside Isaac Likekele – are able to play – which sounds like a possibility, given Mike Boynton’s recent comments – then the Cowboys have a significant opportunity to make some noise.

Austin Reaves – Oklahoma

2020-21 stats: 17.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 4.9 apg

While the Sooners have stumbled substantially in the past few weeks, Reaves has continued to stuff the stat sheet – as evidenced by him recording just two single-digit games this season, with his season-low being eight points.  Across Oklahoma’s four-game losing streak to close out the season, Reaves has averaged 20.5 points, 6.25 rebounds, and 3.5 assists.

Few players in the Big 12 have been as involved with their team as Reaves, by way of percentage of minutes, possessions, and shots – ranking top ten in all three – and he earned First Team All-Conference honors for it.

Mac McClung – Texas Tech

2020-21 stats: 16.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.3 apg

While Kyler Edwards has been the more consistent offensive threat as of late, it is hard to deny the danger that McClung has posed – and will pose – to Big 12 teams.  Since transferring from Georgetown, McClung has provided a much-needed offensive boost for the Red Raiders.  He has not necessarily contributed consistently in other areas, but McClung has already logged ten 20-point-plus games – including a 30-point showing at West Virginia.

He is coming off two single-digit games in his last three games, but McClung has a 20-point performance sandwiched in – and, considering he ranks second in the Big 12 in percentage of shots taken, he is very much capable of getting hot.