Big 12 Basketball Discussion: Which Team Can Steal the Big 12 Title from Kansas?

Posted by Kip Reiserer on January-21-2011 Add Comments

When it comes to college basketball, No. 2 Kansas has been arguably the most dominant team in a major conference in the nation.

Kansas has won or shared the Big 12 title for six straight seasons and is looking to be on its way to a seventh.

Kansas looked phenomenal against Baylor this past Monday but doesn’t always blow out teams by 20 points.

In my eyes, the Big 12 conference is the best conference in all of college basketball. One can certainly make a case for the Big East, which is reasonable, but after watching numerous Big 12 games, it seems that all but two members (Oklahoma, Texas Tech) are solid teams.

Bill Self put it best after the close win over Nebraska last Saturday.

“Our Big 12—and fans may say we played poorly and we did play poorly—but our Big 12 is a lot like the NFL in that anybody can beat anybody any day. There are no games you circle and say, ‘This is for sure a win,’ especially when you’re well coached and tough,” Self said.

It’s true.

Even teams like Iowa State, Colorado and Nebraska have great-looking squads this season. Although Kansas is the better team, ISU and NU both played the Jayhawks fiercely, and Nebraska still is awaiting its rematch in Lincoln.

Baylor and Kansas State seem to have both fallen out of the running for the title, but don’t put it past Kansas State to give KU a heck of a game both in Lawrence and in Manhattan. Oklahoma State is another team that can pose a threat, as the Cowboys showed last season they’re not scared of the top-ranked Jayhawks.

No. 10 Texas stomped No. 11 Texas A&M on Wednesday, but the Aggies could certainly flip the score when the Longhorns visit Reed Arena. Both of these teams will challenge the Jayhawks’ undefeated season and quest for a seventh consecutive Big 12 title.

Don’t forget about the No. 13 Missouri Tigers, who just mopped the floor with Kansas State, and their fast style of playing. Mizzou’s backcourt is dangerous and has great depth.

Personally, my money is on Kansas to win the title outright. But nothing is set in stone, and many teams have a chance to give the Jayhawks a run for their money in the last true season as the Big 12 Conference.

All of the talent in the conference begs one question:

Other than Kansas, which teams, if any, do you think have the best chance at the Big 12 title and why?

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