10 players to watch in the Big 12 Tournament
Everything we’ve learned about the Big 12 this season indicates that the conference tournament in Kansas City will be an absolute gauntlet.
The best league in the country also has some of the best players in the country making the task of leaving Kansas City as Big 12 champions difficult for any team, including TCU.
We know players like Mike Miles Jr. will play a massive role in deciding the outcome of the tournament, but who are some other players you should be taking note of?
Here are 10 of them to keep an eye on:
Mike Miles Jr., TCU
The only thing that stopped Miles from being first team All-Big 12 was injuries as he missed a handful games. The Horned Frogs struggled without him, losing four in a row in league play and were upset by Northwestern State.
When Miles is on the floor, TCU has shown it can beat anybody with wins over Kansas, Texas, Kansas State, Baylor and Providence just to name a few. Miles is averaging a career-high 17.2 points per game and has made 50% of his shots this season. That’s impressive for anybody, especially a guard that does most of his damage away from the basket.
Miles could be the best guard in Kansas City and that gives TCU a chance to win the crown.
Jalen Wilson, Kansas
Wilson was voted Player of the Year in the league and deserved it as he was the best player on the best team in the league. Wilson led the Big 12 in scoring with 19.7 points per game and in rebounding with 8.4 rebounds a night.
Wilson can put up points in a hurry like when he scored 38 against Kansas State and 30 against TCU in back-to-back games. From a size and talent standpoint, the Jayhawks aren’t constructed like typical Bill Self teams which means there’s more on Wilson’s shoulders. Whether or not the Jayhawks capture another conference tournament will be tied directly to his production.
Keyonte George, Baylor
George will be the best NBA prospect in Kansas City and has the talent to go off for 30 points in any game. George led Baylor in scoring with 16 points per game and is also Baylor’s second-leading rebounder with just under five boards a game.
The 6-foot-4 Lewisville native was hampered at the end of the season by an ankle sprain that caused him to miss most of Baylor’s win over Texas on Feb. 25. His health will be a key story to watch as the Bears will need all their firepower available to make up for a defense that ranks near the bottom of the Big 12 in scoring defense.
Marcus Carr, Texas
A first team All-Big 12 selection, Carr was the Longhorns’ leading scorer at 16.2 points and 4.2 assists in a talented, crowded backcourt. The senior provides leadership and stability and is having his best season as a 3-point shooter, knocking down a career-high 36.5% of his 3-pointers.
Efficiency will be the key for Carr and Texas in Kansas City as Carr isn’t shy about getting his shot attempts up, sometimes at the expense of the offense. Carr has shot below 30% or below in three straight games including TCU holding him to just 4-of-16 from the field. If he can put up numbers in an efficient way then Texas could emerge as tourney champs.
Markquis Nowell, Kansas State
Another first team All-Big 12 selection, Nowell was the heart and soul of the league’s surprise team. Nowell is Kansas State’s all-time leader in assist and is currently No. 3 in the country with his 7.7 assists per game average. The undersized guard is also a bucket getter, averaging more than 17 points per game.
Due to his listed 5’8 stature, Nowell has to work harder for his points and is shooting less than 38% from the field. With the ball being in his hands almost every possession, turnovers are also bound to happen and Nowell has turned it over 111 times this season. That’s something to watch for one of the top floor generals in the conference.
Gabe Kalscheur, Iowa State
Kalscheur wasn’t the Cyclones’ leading scorer, but he was still selected to second team All-Big 12. Kalscheur averages 12.7 points per game and is Iowa State’s best 3-point shooter. Kalscheur has shown over his career that he enjoys taking his game to another level in big spots like this.
He delivered a near-buzzer beater to beat TCU in January and has made a number of big shots during his time in Ames. The Cyclones also will be without third-leading scorer Caleb Grill, who was dismissed from the program. That only puts more pressure on Kalscheur.
Emanuel Miller, TCU
Miller is a key piece for the Horned Frogs. Jamie Dixon says Miller is the team’s best offensive rebounder and he gives TCU another capable scorer in addition to Miles and Damion Baugh, another all-league pick for TCU.
He doesn’t take many, but Miller is also a capable shooter. He’s knocked down 42% of his long distance shots this season. The Horned Frogs know what they’re going to get from Miles and Baugh on a nightly basis. Miller is the X-Factor that could help TCU advance in Kansas City.
Gradey Dick, Kansas
Another potential first round pick, Dick lived up to his lofty high school ranking. The 6’8 forward might be the best shooter in the conference, knocking down 41% of his 3-pointers. Dick isn’t just a stationary shooter and can create his shot better than you may think.
Teams have had some success limiting his impact at times, but at 14.3 points per game Dick has been a consistent source of production for Kansas and gives the Jayhawks a dynamic one-two combo with Wilson and Dick.
Keyontae Johnson, Kansas State
Johnson is one of the best stories in college basketball. Johnson had a promising career at Florida, but he collapsed on the court during a game vs. Florida State in December 2020 and didn’t play last season. Now Johnson was selected as the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and a first team All-Big 12 player.
Johnson is a big wing that can knock down 3s and bully opponents getting to the basket. He’s one of the leading scorers in the conference at 17.8 points per game.
Adam Flagler, Baylor
Flagler has a compelling case along with Dick as the best shooter in the Big 12. Flagler is dangerous in catch-and-shoot situations and on dribble pull ups. Flagler has eight games with four 3-pointers or more.
The senior guard is Baylor’s leader offensively and with his ability to get hot in an instant, the Bears are never out of a game. Flagler was a first team All-Big 12 guard and averages 15.6 points per game.
This story was originally published March 7, 2023 at 4:18 PM.
