BAYLOR

Offense: Baylor sits in the middle of the Big 12 in scoring at 77 points a game. The Bears have trouble making baskets with a percentage of 44 per game, good enough for 10th in the conference. If Baylor gets to the line, it shoots better than 71 percent at the stripe. Baylor’s only real consistent scorer is Lawerence Roberts, who puts in nearly 17 a game.

Grade: C+

Defense: Baylor is also in the middle of the conference in scoring defense, allowing 71 points a game. Wendell Greenleaf leads the Big 12 in steals and Roberts has also been known to pick a few pockets. The Bears sit just under league-leader Kansas in causing opponent turnovers at 17 a game.

Grade: B-

Overall: C+

COLORADO

Offense: With the Harrison brothers, D.J. and David, leading the way, the Buffaloes are third in the league in scoring at 80 points a game. Colorado is seventh in the league in field-goal percentage and 10th in three-point shooting, but make up for it on the glass. Only Kansas ranks higher in rebounding margin.

Grade: B+

Defense: Colorado is last in the Big 12 in scoring defense giving up over 77 points a game. The Buffaloes are second to last in giving up turnovers, just above Iowa State at 12 per game. Perhaps Colorado’s biggest weakness on defense is from behind the arc where it gives up 39 percent, worst in the conference.

Grade: C-

Overall: C+

IOWA STATE

Offense: Despite Tyray Pearson and Jake Sullivan being the fourth- and fifth-best scorers in the league, the Cyclones only put up 70 points a game, 10th in the Big 12. Iowa State is one of the most accurate teams from beyond the arc and at the free-throw line where Sullivan is second in both categories. The Cyclones also shoot 46 percent from the field, which is good enough for third in the conference.

Grade: B+

Defense: The Cyclones defense can be effective at times as it gives up just 68 points a game, third in the Big 12. The team is last in the conference in causing turnovers and second-to-last in opponent three-point shooting, giving up nearly 38 percent. If Jared Homan can stay out of foul trouble, he is a solid defensive presence in the paint.

Grade: C-

Overall: C+

KANSAS

Offense: Led by Drew Gooden and Iowa Falls native Nick Collison, who combine for 36 points a game, the No. 1 Jayhawks are scoring more than 90 per contest, best in the country. They have blown out quality teams while rolling through the Big 12 Conference schedule undefeated. Sharp shooter Kirk Hinrich also brings a 47 percent average from behind the arc.

Grade: A

Defense: The Jayhawks are fifth in the conference in scoring defense, allowing just over 70 points a game. Collison is leading the Big 12 in blocks at over two a game and Gooden is ranked eighth in blocks along with being second in the conference with two steals a game. The Jayhawks are also first in the Big 12 in scoring margin.

Grade: A

Overall: A

KANSAS STATE

Offense: The Wildcats are near the bottom of the Big 12 in both scoring and rebounding. Larry Reid scores almost 15 points a game and can really impact the team when he gets hot. Kansas State is also in the bottom half of the conference in field goal percentage, free-throw shooting and three-point shooting.

Grade: D

Defense: Kansas State can do some damage on the defensive end as it allows just 70 points a game, fifth in the conference. The Wildcats can defend well behind the arc but are last in the league in opponent free-throw shooting as teams are hitting 72 percent of their free-throws. Pervis Pasco is fairly dominant down low as he is fifth in the league in blocked shots.

Grade: B-

Overall: C-

MISSOURI

Offense: The Tigers will always be a threat when Kareem Rush and Clarence Gilbert are on the floor. The two combine for nearly 36 points a game. The Tigers are in the top five in the league in free-throw shooting, three-point shooting and field-goal percentage at 79 points a game.

Grade: B+

Defense: Missouri’s defense gives up 71 points a game and allows teams to shoot 45 percent, better only than Texas A&M. The Tigers are second in the league in shot blocks and cause almost 15 turnovers a game. However, they do have a tendency to give up the three.

Grade: B-

Overall: B

NEBRASKA

Offense: Much of Nebraska’s offensive game revolves around its three-point shooting as Brian Conklin and Cary Cochran are in the top 15 in three-point-shooting percentage in the conference; the team is fifth. Beyond that, Nebraska doesn’t do much. It is last in field-goal percentage and ranks near the bottom in rebounds and assists.

Grade: B-

Defense: Nebraska’s defense ranks in the bottom half of the Big 12 in opponent field-goal percentage, scoring defense and turnovers caused. Look for teams to spread the floor against the Cornhuskers as they are last in blocked shots and give up nearly eight three pointers a game.

Grade: D+

Overall: C

OKLAHOMA

Offense: The Sooners are capable of winning big games thanks to Hollis Price and Aaron McGhee who combine for more than 31 points a game. As a team, Oklahoma ranks fourth in the league in both points per game and field-goal percentage. The Sooners are usually a threat from behind the three-point stripe but lead the Big 12 in free-throw shooting.

Grade: A-

Defense: Oklahoma has one of the toughest defenses in the league, allowing just under 65 points a game, second behind Oklahoma State. The Sooners are great at causing turnovers, and they are among the elite in the Big 12 in steals. The Sooners are also the best in the conference at containing three-point shooting, forcing teams to shoot under 30 percent.

Grade: A

Overall: A-

OKLAHOMA STATE

Offense: The Cowboys have struggled offensively at times this season, shooting 45 percent from the field. The team’s biggest weakness comes in free throw and three-point shooting. Oklahoma State is third in the conference in rebounding and with no main scoring threat, it spreads the ball to players like Maurice Baker and Victor Williams.

Grade: C

Defense: The Cowboys allow the least amount of points per game in the Big 12, holding teams to just over 40 percent shooting from the field and 30 percent from behind the arc. They are not a great shot-blocking team but are consistent in steals, causing turnovers and containing the three-point shot.

Grade: A-

Overall: B

TEXAS

Offense: T.J. Ford is the x-factor for the Longhorns. Ford leads the Big 12 in assists and is third in steals. The Longhorns are a solid rebounding team with James Thomas standing third in the league. The Longhorns don’t turn the ball over much but do struggle shooting the ball. Texas scores almost 80 points a game, but with no big-time scorer can really spread the floor.

Grade: B

Defense: When Ford is active, the Longhorn defense can benefit from stealing the ball and capitalizing on the other end. Look for teams to shoot the ball fairly well against Texas as the Longhorns struggle to contain good shooters. Texas is good at defending down low as it is fourth in the league in shot blocks.

Grade: B

Overall: B

TEXAS A&M

Offense: The Aggies are the worst in the Big 12 in points per game and three-point shooting, and second-to-last in the league in field-goal and free-throw shooting, while not fairing much better in rebounding and passing. Bernard King is one of the Aggies’ few bright spots offensively, putting up nearly 17 points a game.

Grade: D

Defense: Texas A&M’s defense doesn’t help out the offense much as it gives up 73 points a game. The Aggies give up the highest shooting percentage in the conference but can contain three-point shooters. A&M doesn’t cause many turnovers, and opponents are shooting 71 percent from the charity stripe.

Grade: D

Overall: D

TEXAS TECH

Offense: Texas Tech is one of the biggest surprises in the Big 12 this season. Besides Iowa State, Tech is the only team with two scorers in the conference’s top 10. Andre Emmett and Andy Ellis have carried Texas Tech, combining to score nearly 36 points a game. Tech is a great shooting team both from the field and from long range and can rebound with the best.

Grade: A-

Defense: The Red Raiders’ defense complements its offense nicely as it allows just 70 points a game, fourth in the conference. It is in the top four in the league in containing teams shooting from the field and from three-point land.

Tech’s defense is solid across the board except for a slight disadvantage defending in the paint.

Grade: A-

Overall: A-