By ESPN.com | ESPN.com
Every weekday, some of our college hoops experts discuss the biggest issues, trends and themes in and around college basketball.
1. Now that there's a tie atop the Big 12, who has the easier road left: Kansas or Iowa State?
Andy Katz: This isn't a cop-out, but it's very close. Kansas should beat Texas at home, especially after the loss at Kansas State. West Virginia has proved it can win on the road, and Oklahoma in Norman will be a tall task. But Iowa State has to play a Baylor team that can win on the road. Kansas State in Manhattan is suddenly formidable, and Oklahoma has the chops to win at Hilton. Ending the season at TCU could be a difference-maker. Trent Johnson's team has the ability to win a game like that one.
Jeff Goodman: That's a tough one. Iowa State has four games left, with two at home while Kansas has just three games -- with two at Allen Fieldhouse. I'm going to say that Kansas' schedule is a tad easier -- only because the Jayhawks rarely lose at home and have just one game left away from Allen. I think there's a good chance that the two teams wind up in a tie for the league title.
Dana O'Neil: This has to be prefaced with the statement that nothing is easy in the Big 12, so what looks like a kinder path may very well not be. But forced to pick, I'll lean only slightly to the Jayhawks, because they play two of their final three games at home, including one against a sliding Texas team. In a conference race where there are few hairs to split to determine a favorite, that slim margin gives Kansas an advantage.
Katz: That would be tough. Losing two perimeter players is almost asking too much of any team, even one that has a chance to win the title. Virginia can survive in the short term but has no chance to get to Indianapolis if the pair aren't healthy for the stretch run in March.
Goodman: It doesn't sound as if Perrantes will be out that long, so I think Tony Bennett's team will be OK. The Cavs have to get past Wake on the road, and they should have enough to do so -- even if Perrantes doesn't play.
O'Neil: I think so. Wake Forest is a little sneakier than people give the Demon Deacons credit for, but Virginia is such a team-oriented team, and that works in their favor. Perrantes, from all indications, won't be out long so the Cavaliers should be OK.
3. Here's your standard Kentucky question: Nobody will pick Mississippi State to win, but can the Bulldogs finish within 20 points of the Wildcats?
Katz: Sure. Kentucky can take the night off mentally. It won't happen, but it's surely possible.
Goodman: I don't think so. Kentucky has it rolling right now -- on both ends of the court. Rick Ray has done a nice job in Starkville, but talk about being overmatched. Last I checked Erick Dampier, Mario Austin or even Jarvis Varnado aren't walking through that door ... This one is gonna be ugly.
O'Neil: Yes, I think the Bulldogs can. This is a classic trap game for Kentucky, a game the Wildcats know they can and will win easily right before what could be their toughest challenge in Arkansas, and it's on the road. Plus Mississippi State has kept most scores respectable and has some offensive firepower, which will help. I don't expect this to be "close" but within 20, yes, that can happen.
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