MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Something you don’t hear every day: Hey, they’re playing good defense in the Big 12.
While the football conference has built a reputation around high-powered and quick-striking offenses, Big 12 men’s basketball teams are taking a different approach this season.
In the latest NCAA defensive efficiency ratings — which ranks teams on their ability to keep other teams from scoring over 100 possessions — eight Big 12 teams are in the top 85.
Texas Tech is No. 1 in the country, while Kansas State is No. 6.
“I’ve had this discussion recently and I think the league is trending to the defensive end,” said TCU coach Jamie Dixon, who has his Horned Frogs ranked at No. 44 in the efficiency ratings. “When I got here, I thought it was the pace of play and the offense that kind of controlled the league.
“I think it’s gone [to the defense] I was talking to coach [Chris] Beard [Texas Tech] about it and I blamed it somewhat on him.”
Texas Tech went to the Elite Eight last season on the strength of a defense that allowed 64.8 points per game and held opponents to 40-percent shooting.
A season later, the Red Raiders are allowing just 56.8 points and clamping opponents to 36-percent from the floor.
The other Big 12 teams in the rankings: No. 28 Baylor, No. 29 Oklahoma, No. 32 Iowa State, No. 72 Texas and No. 85 Kansas.
West Virginia’s defensive ranking was considerably lower at 213th.
Taking the next step
The No. 16 Red Raiders (17-4, 5-3) have the marquee matchup of the weekend when they travel to Kansas (16-5, 5-3).
“You have to play your best game of the year to win at Kansas and every player you have has to contribute in a positive way,” said Beard. “In my opinion, until somebody else proves they can win that fight, Kansas is the returning champion.
Texas Tech beat the Jayhawks 85-73 at Allen Fieldhouse last season.
“It’s one of the premiere places in college basketball,” Beard said. “We’re in the third year of building our program here and I’ve said we would like to consistently be a part of the fight. So, here we are part of the fight. The next step is to put ourselves in a position to win that fight one day. That is a very difficult next step, but that’s what we’re striving to do.”
Jumbled standings
The conference season hits the halfway point Saturday, with only two games separating Kansas State and Baylor (tied for the Big 12 lead) and seventh-place TCU.
Iowa State coach Steve Prohm said he expects teams will create further separation during the second half of the league season.
“It’s still early,” said Prohm, whose Cyclones are a half-game out of first place. “I really start to look at things more once you get to about games 12 through 14. I think you’ll see more separation then, there usually is.
“Our league is kind of jumbled up right now and there is a lot of balance. Teams have been able to win on the road, which has things skewed a little bit. I’m glad we’re right there in that mix right now, but you have to take care of business to stay there.”