Oklahoma State-Baylor: Three things to watch in tonight’s Big 12 quarterfinal

The Pierre Jackson-Marcus Smart showdown will be an intriguing one. / AP photo by Brody Schmidt

By Anthony Slater – Aslater@opubco.com - @anthonyVslater

Oklahoma State plays Baylor tonight in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 tourney (Tip at 8:30 on Big 12 Network). Here’s three things to watch:

1. Cross-matches

Seems like, all week, we’ve heard why Baylor is one of the tougher matchups for Oklahoma State in the Big 12. And in some ways, that sentiment has merit. The Cowboys struggle with talented big men and BU has a skilled 7-footer (Isaiah Austin) who’s a likely lottery pick. But conversely, OSU’s backcourt is an athletic nightmare for Baylor’s undersized guards. Just look at the cross-matches in the starting lineup:

-5-foot-10 Pierre Jackson on 6-foot-4 Marcus Smart (speed v bulk)
-6-foot-2 Brady Heslip on 6-foot-4 Markel Brown (wonder what the difference in their verticals is)
-6-foot-1 A.J. Walton on 6-foot-7 Le’Bryan Nash (gives up half a foot and nearly 50 pounds)

Scott Drew will likely run a zone most of the game, negating a bit of that size issue. But OSU should find a way to get some isolations and attack. I’d expect plenty of Le’Bryan Nash and Marcus Smart post feeds. It’s the Cowboys biggest advantage.

2. Rebounding 

Here’s your stat to watch: Oklahoma State is 15-0 this season when outrebounding its opponent and only 8-7 when it loses that battle. Coincidence? Doubtful. Definitely something to keep an eye on tonight.

3. Energy

You’d have to assume Baylor will come out fired up. Scott Drew receives plenty of criticism for his poor in-game strategy. But the Bears don’t need a better coach to tell them they’re playing for their NCAA tournament lives. BU is a clear bubble team (18-13 overall, with losses to Texas, Charlston and Northwestern) and it’ll likely burst with a loss to OSU. So if Pierre Jackson, already feeling spurned from his All-Big 12 second team selection, doesn’t want to end his career in the NIT, he better drag along his fired up team. Question is, can the Cowboys (already an NCAA lock) match that energy?