The Big 12 showdown between Kansas and Oklahoma State features two of the top players in college basketball. In the preseason media days, Marcus Smart and Andrew Wiggins were the talk of college basketball, getting picked as early favorites in the NBA draft when the season is over. Both players have been streaky this season so Saturday features a chance to prove who is better.
Smart leads the No. 9 Cowboys averaging 17.9 points a season while putting up 22 points and 11 rebounds over his last three games. He could be considered for Player of the Year as he is the main reason Oklahoma State is ranked where they are. Smart has thrived against ranked teams. He put up 39 points against ranked Memphis earlier in the season, helping the Cowboys sit at 15-2 overall this year.
Wiggins has been a bit less consistent on the court lately. The freshman is averaging just 15.8 points and six rebounds a game after being the No. 1 recruit in the nation and predicted as the top overall draft pick this year. While Wiggins' numbers might be slightly smaller than Smart's, during ranked games, Wiggins has the upper hand. The freshman is averaging 20 points a game against ranked squads.
These two Big 12 rivals have certainly provided fireworks in the past. Last season, Smart put up 25 points in the Cowboys' 85-80 win, ending Kansas' 18-game win streak and their 33-game win streak at home. Smart got the last laugh last season, but will Wiggins be the winner this year?
