Locked in Lubbock, I can’t shovel my driveway, so I thought I’d do something productive, especially since I’ve already been to the Buddy Holly Center.
So with the Texas blowout victory against Texas A&M fresh on my mind and four hours remaining until tipoff of Kansas-Texas Tech, here’s a look at the 12 best players in the Big 12 so far:
**1. Marcus Morris, Kansas:** Seventh in the conference with a 16.7 scoring average, Morris never takes a bad shot. He leads the conference with a .599 field-goal percentage, ranks 10th in rebounding (6.9) and is a terrific passer. Knows that he has the best chance of helping the team by scoring in close, so he doesn’t audition for NBA scouts by firing an excessive number of three-point shots. In taking that approach, he’s impressing scouts far more than if he were auditioning. He plays a big part in Kansas faring so well in close games.
**2. Jordan Hamilton, Texas:** Like Morris, he’s a versatile scorer, though he’s not as strong posting up and more prolific from behind the three-point arc. Ranks third in the Big 12 in scoring (19.0), fifth in rebounding (7.5), seventh in field-goal percentage (.470) and third in three-point goals with 2.59 per game.
**3. Tristan Thompson, Texas:** Changes games defensively more than anybody in the conference. Lefties tend to make the best shot-blockers, so it’s no surprise he’s leading the Big 12 with 2.23 swats a game. Needs to listen to the tape of Monday’s blowout victory against Texas A&M for pointers from color analyst Bob Knight on free-throw shooting technique. He can just pop it in at any portion of the game and he won’t have to wait long. It’s nice to see that Knight doesn’t buy the notion free-throw shooting is all mental and all about toughness. Technique has a great deal to do with it and to master any technique in any sport requires practice. Thompson will get to the line a ton, and how much he improves could determine his team’s chances of winning the national title.
**4. Alec Burks, Colorado:** Guard him too tightly, he’ll whip around his man. Give him space, he’ll hit the jumper. Burks ranks second in the conference in scoring (19.8) and third in free-throw percentage (.842). He’s great at hitting well-contested shots.
**5. Markieff Morris, Kansas:** Has improved defensively during the course of the season is emerging as a strong low-post scorer, is a great passer and leads the conference in rebounding with 8.7 a game.
**6. LaceDarius Dunn, Baylor:** Leads the conference in scoring (21.1), three-pointers per game (3.76) and ranks sixth in three-point percentage (.421). Also has had a knack for coming up with steals at big times throughout his career.
**7. Marcus Denmon, Missouri:** Ranks second in the conference in three-point percentage (.477), third in steals (1.95), fourth in three-pointers per game (2.52) and sixth in scoring (16.8). Quick, quick, quick.
**8. Dionte Garrett, Iowa State:** Most improved senior in the conference, the son of former NBA guard Dick Garrett ranks fifth in the Big 12 with 17.8 points per game and first in assists (5.77). He runs a team that’s short on inside beef and made-for-defense athleticism.
**9. Perry Jones III, Baylor:** A top three pick in the next NBA draft, Jones is getting more aggressive for a Baylor team that can’t quite get it all together.
**10. Khris Middleton, Texas A&M:** Didn’t score a point or get to the free-throw line in Monday night’s loss to Texas. Went 0 for 9 from the field. Didn’t look even remotely like the same player who had 28 points, seven rebounds and four assists against Missouri.
**11. Marshall Moses, Oklahoma State:** Steady low-post presence averages 15.5 points and 8.1 rebounds a game, the latter good for second in the Big 12.
**12. Jacob Pullen, Kansas State:** Gets the nod over Colorado’s Cory Higgins for the final spot. Not shooting well and not winning, he never stops giving maximum effort. It’s not his fault that three teammates quit the team (Dominique Sutton, Freddy Asprilla, Wally Judge).
