Big 12 Rivals collide in Waco: Kansas at Baylor

Kansas Jayhawks at Baylor Bears, Ferrell Center, Waco, TX
Monday, January 17, 2011, 9:30 pm Eastern, TV: ESPN
Opening Line: Kansas -4
Current Line: Kansas -3 1/2
Opening Total: 139
Current Total: 141 1/2
Money Line: Kansas -170 / Baylor +150

Marcus Morris and the Kansas Jayhawks are 3 1/2 point favorites on the road at the Baylor Bears in Big 12 action.

Kansas is 17-0 overall and 2-0 in the Big 12. They are ranked #2 in both polls, and are off to their best start since a 20-0 start in the 2007-08 season. The Jayhawks ended up winning the national title that year. Kansas is one of four undefeated teams left in the country along with Ohio St, Syracuse, and San Diego St. Kansas has wins over Arizona, UCLA, Memphis, Colorado St, USC, California, Michigan, Iowa St, and Nebraska this season. The Jayhawks have won their two conference games by a total of 8 points, including a 63-60 win over Nebraska at home on Saturday. Kansas travels to Waco to take on the Baylor Bears. The Bears are 10-4 overall and 2-1 in the Big 12. Baylor was a pre-season top 10 team and has underachieved this season. Baylor has losses to Gonzaga, Washington St, Florida St and Iowa St. Baylor lost at Iowa St 72-57 last Saturday. Kansas won at Iowa St last week 84-79. Bylor has wins over Arizona St, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma on the season. Baylor has been somewhat streaky this season, as they won their first 7, lost 3 of 4, then won 4 in a row before the loss at Iowa St last Saturday. Kansas leads the overall series 15-2, including 6-1 in Waco. Kansas won last year in Lawrence 81-75 in the teams only meeting. Baylor has gone 26-1 in Waco in their last 27 home games, the last 18 by an average of almost 20 points a game.

Kansas reserve guard Travis Releford missed the last game with a leg injury and is questionable against Baylor. He only plays 15 minutes a game and averages 5.7 points. Forward Marcus Morris averages 16.7 points to lead the team, 7 rebounds a game, and 1.4 assists a game. His twin brother Markieff averages 12.8 points, 8.7 rebounds to lead the team, 1.2 assists, and 1 block a game. Freshman guard Josh Selby is averaging 12.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.3 steals a game. He has only played in 8 games this season. Tyshawn Taylor leads the team in assists with 5.1 a game. Brady Morningstar leads the Jayhawks in steals with 1.6 a game. Thomas Robinson leads the team in blocks with 1.1 a game. Kansas is outscoring opponents 83-61 on the season. The Jayhawks are shooting 51.8% from the field and 37.2% from 3-point range. Kansas is holding opponents to 37.2% shooting from the field. The Jayhawks shoot 66.4% from the free throw line. Kansas averages 40.4 rebounds a game and has a rebounding margin of +7.9. Kansas averages 18.5 assists and 14.2 turnovers a game. The Jayhawks force 16.4 turnovers a game on defense. Kansas averages 8.9 steals, and 5.1 blocks a game.

Baylor has no significant injuries. Guard LaceDarius Dunn leads the Big 12 in scoring with 22.3 points a game. He also averages 4.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.8 steals a game. Forward Quincy Acy averages 13.6 points, 7.9 rebounds to lead the team, and 1.3 blocks a game to also lead the team. Freshman forward/center Perry Jones III averages 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1 block a game. Guard A.J. Walton leads the team in assists with 5.3 a game and steals with 2.3 a game. He also averages 9.2 points and 3.8 rebounds a game. Baylor is outscoring opponents 73-59 on the season. The Bears shoot 47.5% from the field and 36% from 3-point range. Baylor opponents are shooting 39.9% from the field. Baylor makes 68.7% from the free throw line. They average 38.4 rebounds a game and have a rebounding margin of +9.0. Baylor averages 12.6 assists and 15.4 turnovers a game. The Bears force 16.4 turnovers a game on defense. Baylor averages 8.1 steals and 4.2 blocks a game.

Though Kansas is clearly the best team in the Big 12, don’t be surprised if Baylor gives them a game. The Ferrell Center is a tough place to play, and Kansas is the only team to win there in the last 27 games. Kansas has a showdown with #12 Texas next Saturday so this could be a trap game. Baylor is still a good team despite their disappointing record. Kansas has the edge in rebounding. Both are really good defensively and I think this game will be played in the mid 60’s.