Mizzou, Rival Kansas Put "Big" In "Big Monday"

Michael Dixon lead the Tigers to victory today.
Will another hero emergo in Waco on Saturday.

Today was Big Monday.  In the Big 12 that meant the two important games.  The fifth ranked Missouri Tigers taking on fellow future SEC member Texas A&M in Columbia and No. 7 Kansas taking on the No. 3 Baylor Bears and their undefeated record in Lawrence. 

The Tigers started slow and sloppy.  They were committing too many turnovers and were on the highway to foul trouble and stuck in a close game with an opponent who, if was allowed to stick around, would make Mizzou pay.  Fortunately for Frank Haith's squad, they erupted with a 17-0 run starting with 7:22 in the first half.  They lead the Aggies 42-23 at the break.  A&M never recovered in the second half, and the Tigers cruised to a 70-51 victory in Columbia.

The surprise of the game was Michael Dixon coming off the bench to lead all scorers with 18 points, while grabbing 5 rebounds.  However, defense was key for the Tigers' building a large lead, keeping the Aggies off the board for over six and a half minutes.  

The lingering question is whether one of the best all-around Tiger teams in recent memory be enough to hang around with the likes of Baylor and Kansas.  

Thomas Robinson and the Jayhawks
used tonight's game against Baylor to make a
statement to the rest of the Big 12.

When prompted for one word to describe tonights' performance of the Kansas Jayhawks, ESPN announcer Dick Vitale used, "resilient."  

In a game that was close most of the first half, Kansas began to pull away, taking a 39-29 lead into the locker room.  The Jayhawks continued to outplay Baylor in the second half.  KU took the momentum into the second half in what culminated into a 92-74 beat down of the Bears in Lawrence. 

Tyshaun Taylor and Thomas Robinson paced the scoring putting up 28 and 27 respectively for the Jayhawks.  As a team, Kansas abused Baylor on the glass and shot much better.  These two things ultimately lead to their 18 point victory.  

Baylor's next contest is Saturday when they host the 5th ranked Tigers.  Based on what I watched tonight, this is a fairly even matched contest.

As for Kansas, they made a large statement tonight.  They are the team to beat in the Big 12.  Baylor did not win at the Phog and Mizzou has their work cut out for them when they play this Jayhawk team.