The Big 12 is the smallest of the conference at ten teams, so the top 25 list gets a bit dodgy toward the bottom. Of course, if you are in a Big 12-only league, all of these players would be owned. These lists make for good baselines to check out how we did before the season and look toward the bulk of conference play. All of the stats are through Jan. 13.
1. Thomas Robinson, forward, Kansas Jayhawks
17.6 points, 12.1 rebounds, 1.3 steals
One can wonder what Robinson would have done if given a starter's share of minutes last year. Granted, there was less room to maneuver with the Morrii in town, but the 6-foot-9 junior is on the short list of player of the year candidates. It's unfortunate that Jared Sullinger wasn't able to play in the Buckeyes' trip to Lawrence.
2. Royce White, forward Iowa State Cyclones
13.1 points, 9.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.3 blocks
The point forward grabbed some national headlines with a triple-double against Texas A&M last weekend. He has a power forward's build and rebounding instinct with a point guard's vision. He is sometimes reluctant to shoot, but I still think he'll challenge Robinson for Player of the Year honors.
3. J'Covan Brown, guard, Texas Longhorns
18.1 points, 2.1 threes, 3.4 rebounds. 4.0 assists, 1.3 steals
Brown has seven 20-point games and they seem to come in bunches. He opened the season with three straight big games and had another run just as the non-conference schedule was winding down. His assists have dwindled, but he will continue to score well for the Longhorns.
4. Marcus Denmon, guard, Missouri Tigers
17.9 points, 2.9 threes, 4.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.5 steals
Denmon has cooled off as could be expected, but the 6-foot-3 senior can score in bunches. He is hitting 43.4% of his threes and has seven 20-point games.When his shot wasn't falling against Iowa State, he found a way to contribute with seven assists.
5. Steven Pledger, guard, Oklahoma Sooners
17.2 points, 2.6 threes, 3.9 rebounds, 1.1 steals
The 6-foot-4 junior has slowed down in conference play with just 11.1 points in three games. In non-conference play, he scored 20 points or more five times, including 31 points in a Dec. 17 win over Houston.
6. Khris Middleton, forward, Texas A&M Aggies
13.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.0 steals
The best is yet to come from the 6-foot-7 junior. He missed seven games after knee surgery and has scored in double digits in six of his seven games since returning. He had 19 points and ten rebounds in the Jan. 11 loss at Texas. That should be the first of many double-doubles.
7. Perry Jones, forward, Baylor Bears
13.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.0 blocks
I think Jones is the most overrated player in conference and maybe in the nation. He is very skilled, but he tends to disappear for long stretches of the game. My guess is that he has some regrets about returning to school, even if Baylor is undefeated.
8. Tyshawn Taylor, guard, Kansas Jayhawks
14.8 points, 5.1 assists, 1.0 steals
Like Robinson, Taylor is enjoying an opportunity to get more shots.. The senior is hitting more threes (44.2%) but fewer twos (43.9% from the field). His scoring has also taken a dip since he had a knee problem in December, but he keeps on doling out assists.
9. Rodney McGruder, guard, Kansas State Wildcats
14.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.3 steals
McGruder has been on a very nice scoring tear, culminating with 30 points in the loss to Baylor on Jan. 10. He is fearless when attacking the basket and is one of the better rebounding guards in conference.
10. Kim English, guard, Missouri Tigers
15.1 points, 2.8 threes, 4.6 rebounds, 1.3 steals
Much like Denmon, English has cooled off somewhat in conference play. He is still hitting 53% of his three-pointers and has made one in every game except one. English is also a staunch defender who can man up a variety of players.
11. Ricardo Ratliffe, forward, Missouri Tigers
13.3 points, 6.9 rebounds
When the Tiger guards miss, Ratliffe is there to clean up the mess. The nation's leading shooter (76.8% from the field) is averaging 2.6 offensive rebounds for the second straight season. He has only missed more than three shots in a game twice - the first two games of the season.
12. Jordan Tolbert, freshman forward, Texas Tech Red Raiders
14.1 points, 6.1 rebounds
The lone Red Raider on the list, Tolbert may be hitting the freshman wall. He has scored just 13 points in his last two games and has been limited to a combined 33 minutes. He did have four straight 20-point games against undersized competition.
13. Romero Osby, forward, Oklahoma Sooners
10.9 points, 8.5 rebounds
The Mississippi State transfer is the best rebounder on the squad and has five double-doubles this season. For a rebounding big man, he doesn't get in foul trouble often, but he also isn't a huge scorer. He is coming off a 18-point, ten-rebound game against Oklahoma State.
14. Pierre Jackson, guard, Baylor Bears
11.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.8 steals
Jackson is the engine that makes the Bears run. He comes off the bench, but plays many more minutes than starter A.J. Walton. Jackson is hitting 48% of his threes and 87.2% of his free throws.
15. Quincy Acy, forward, Baylor Bears
12.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.0 steals, 2.4 blocks
Despite not being as tall as Jones and Miller, Acy is the most effective Baylor forward. He has powerful moves around the basket and is a strong offensive rebounder. He is also leading the team in rejections.
16. Le'Bryan Nash, freshman forward, Oklahoma State Cowboys
12.9 points, 5.1 rebounds
Nash has already been through a lot in 16 games. He was benched for not giving consistent effort and has seen his offense roller coaster up and down. It seems as if conference play was just what he needed. He has averaged 18.0 points through three games.
17. Jamar Samuels, forward, Kansas State Wildcats
11.1 points, 6.4 rebounds
Samuels is one of a number of K-State bruisers who help the team control the paint. The 6-foot-7 senior has been held to seven points in each of his last two games, but scored in double digits in ten of his first 11 games.
18. Andrew Fitzgerald, forward, Oklahoma Sooners
12.5 points, 5.7 rebounds
Fitzgerald is not an exciting player, but he is consistent. Those two adjectives go together well. He has scored in double figures in his last ten games and has topped 16 points five times. He is a solid player to plug into your lineup when higher upside options are not available.
19. Myck Kabongo, freshman guard, Texas Longhorns
9.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.3 steals
Kabongo is the rare player who can affect the game without scoring. That's partly due to the fact that he is a poor shooter. He is an excellent penetrator and is second in the conference in assists.
20. Elston Turner, guard, Texas A&M Aggies
13.3 points, 2.1 threes, 3.3 rebounds
In his first season since transferring from Washington, Turner has been a nice scoring option for the Aggies, who don't score that much. He has scored in double digits in all but three games and has averaged 16.0 points over his last four games.
21. Phil Pressey, guard, Missouri Tigers
9.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 2.0 steals
Flip leads the league in assists and would likely score more if the team didn't have so many other options. He is adept at setting up Ratliffe in the post or hitting the wings at their hot spots. Pressey has five or more assists in ten of his last 11 games.
22. Quincy Miller, freshman forward, Baylor Bears
11.1 points, 5.3 rebounds
After losing his role of main scorer when Jones returned from suspension, Miller is starting to regain his place on the team. He has scored at least 11 points in four of his last six games and is an effective rebounder.
23. Chris Allen, guard, Iowa State Cyclones
12.7 points, 2.1 threes, 2.8 assists
The Michigan State transfer has hit eight threes in his last three games. He is a streaky shooter who is making just 36.6% of his field goals. So far, so good in conference play with 13.3 points through three games.
24. Keiton Page, guard, Oklahoma State Cowboys
14.3 points, 2.7 threes
Page has taken over the main three-point specialist role for the Cowboys. He takes 7.3 threes per game and is converting 36.7%. Over his last five games, he has hit 14 threes and scored 18 or more points four times. His shooting percentage (41%) will hurt most teams, but he does provide points.
25. Michael Dixon, guard, Missouri Tigers
12.8 points, 2.8 assists, 1.7 steals
Dixon is the odds on favorite to win Sixth Man of the Year in the Big 12. He has scored in double figures in all but five games despite topping 30 minutes just once this season. He'll certainly be a player to watch next year when Denmon and English move on.