Kellis Robinett’s Big 12 Report: Baylor, Rico Gathers trending upward

Before Scott Drew answered questions during his mandatory turn on the Big 12’s weekly teleconference Monday, the Baylor basketball coach sounded giddy.

“Thanks for having me on,” he said.

You would be excited, too, if your team was riding a three-game winning streak, having won five of its last six games.

The Bears are playing as well as any team in the conference right now. On Saturday, they went to West Virginia and destroyed the Mountaineers by 18. Last week, they handled TCU by 20. Before that, they smashed Texas 83-60. They aren’t just winning, they are winning convincingly.

“That’s one thing coaches wish they could bottle up,” Drew said of his team’s recent run.

One thing Baylor seems to have a long, bottled up supply of at the moment is strong play from forward Rico Gathers. The junior, who at 280 pounds looks like he could also thrive on the football field, is having a an all-conference season. On Monday, he was named Big 12 player of the week.

He is averaging 11.0 points and 12.5 rebounds, but his numbers of late have been even higher.

Gathers had 17 points and 16 rebounds against West Virginia, 14 points and 17 rebounds against TCU, and eight points and 15 rebounds against Texas. And, who could forget his mammoth effort (25 points and 28 rebounds) against NAIA Huston-Tillotson last month?

“He has emerged to be one of the toughest players in college basketball,” Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg said. “He can go out and dominate games with his physical presence. He is putting up double-doubles regularly in the first half of games.”

West Virginia coach Bob Huggins seemed most impressed by the way Gathers plays, taking pride in making hustle plays around the basket and little else.

“In a lot of ways it is refreshing to see a guy who knows his role and understands his bread and butter,” Huggins said. “He doesn’t get out of what he is best at doing.”

If Gathers continues to play the way he recently has, Baylor (18-5, 6-4 Big 12) could be one of the conference’s most dangerous teams as February turns into March.

Quote of the week

“I guess I’m brilliant.”

-Kansas State coach Bruce Weber after saying he saw the Wildcats’ struggles coming from the start of the season.

Bracketology

A guess at where the Big 12’s teams will end up in the postseason.

NCAA Tournament: Baylor, Iowa State, Kansas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, West Virginia.

No postseason: Kansas State, Texas Tech, TCU.

Power Rankings

1. Kansas (19-4, 8-2): Losing to Oklahoma State gives hope to many teams chasing the Jayhawks.

2. Oklahoma (16-7, 7-4): Sooners have won four in a row, and the schedule is about to soften.

3. Baylor (18-5, 6-4): Bears are winning convincingly.

4. Iowa State (17-5, 7-3): Toughest stretch of the season is up next.

5. West Virginia (18-5, 6-4): For a good team, West Virginia loses a lot of blowouts.

6. Oklahoma State (16-7, 6-5): Cowboys have played their way back in the top 25.

7. Texas (15-8, 4-6): Could winning at K-State start a turnaround?

8. Kansas State (12-12, 5-6): Down four scholarship players with injuries, suspensions and transfers.

9. Texas Tech (12-12, 2-9): Tubby Smith’s team is always a threat in Lubbock.

10. TCU (14-9, 1-9): That undefeated start seems like a long time ago.

This story was originally published February 9, 2015 at 4:38 PM with the headline "Kellis Robinett’s Big 12 Report: Baylor, Rico Gathers trending upward."