Kellis Robinett’s Big 12 report: Player of the Year forecast

Player of the Year cases for three

A conference basketball championship isn’t the only prize at stake in the Big 12 this week.

As the regular season comes to an end, the Big 12 Player of the Year award is also up for grabs. The competition may not be decided until the final game.

The primary candidates are Perry Ellis, Rico Gathers and Buddy Hield.

Let’s explore the award cases for all three:

Perry Ellis: The Kansas junior is the best player on the conference’s best team. Maybe that will be enough to earn him the league’s top individual honor. He is coming off his best week of the season, averaging 26 points and 11 points on his way to league player of the week honors. An opposing coach, K-State’s Bruce Weber, also routinely says he thinks Ellis is the conference’s best player. Will that be enough to overcome averages (14.5 points and 7.2 rebounds) that are below his main competitors? Helping Kansas win two more games and claim another outright league championship would help his cause.

Rico Gathers: The Baylor forward has been a double-double machine this season, averaging 11.3 points and 11.9 rebounds. He is far and away the conference’s top rebounder, grabbing as many as 28 in a single game. He has 344 rebounds. The next-highest number in the conference is 227 by West Virginia’s Devin Williams. That’s domination. The junior has made huge improvements this season, and he is the main reason why Baylor has won four in a row and is ranked in the top 15. He may need to close out the season with a pair of big games to help make up for his relatively low scoring numbers.

Buddy Hield: The Oklahoma guard is the conference’s top scorer, averaging 17 points. He is also the league’s top three-point shooter, averaging 2.7. He has topped 20 points in 10 games this season, scoring as many as 31. He has Oklahoma ranked in the top 20 and within reach of a top-four seed in the NCAA Tournament. A big game against Kansas on Saturday could significantly boost his appeal. A down effort could hurt. A lot may decide on where Oklahoma finishes in the Big 12 standings. It could wind up anywhere from first to fifth.

Ellis is playing his best at the right time, and he is on the best team. Gathers has the most overall production. Hield is the top scorer.

This race should have a fascinating conclusion.

Bubble trouble

Three Big 12 teams are still fighting for a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

Oklahoma State appears safe for the moment, but it needs to win its next game against TCU to stay that way. Texas is heading in the wrong direction, and is currently looking like a NIT team, but can change course with a strong finish. Then there is K-State, which also remains within reach of an unlikely trip to the NCAA Tournament.

At 15-15, the Wildcats aren’t there yet. But if they can build off back-to-back wins over top 15 teams by beating Texas and winning two games in the Big 12 Tournament, they would enter the bubble conversation. Beating Texas will be a must. Otherwise, K-State will struggle to finish .500 and make the NIT.

Quote of the week

“This is the most interesting team I have ever played on.”

– K-State sophomore Wesley Iwundu following Saturday’s win over Iowa State.

Power rankings

1. Kansas (23-6, 12-4): Jayhawks are closing in on an 11th straight Big 12 title.

2. Baylor (22-7, 10-6): Bears are the hottest team in the conference.

3. Oklahoma (20-8, 11-5): Season finale against Kansas will be a must-see.

4. Iowa State (20-8, 10-6): Bad week cost the Cyclones a shot to win the Big 12.

5. West Virginia (22-7, 10-6): Mountaineers need Juwan Staten back quickly.

6. Kansas State (15-15, 8-9): Huge wins. Terrible losses. A .500 record seems appropriate.

7. Oklahoma State (17-11, 7-9): More losses could bring NIT into play.

8. Texas (17-12, 6-10): Longhorns need big finish to reach NCAA Tournament.

9. TCU (17-12, 4-12): Could do damage in Kansas City.

10. Texas Tech (13-17, 3-14): Could win a game in Kansas City.

This story was originally published March 2, 2015 at 1:03 PM with the headline "Kellis Robinett’s Big 12 report: Player of the Year forecast."