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Every weekday, a panel of our college hoops experts discuss the biggest issues, trends and themes in and around college basketball.
1. Texas and Iowa State are both coming off losses. Is this a must-win for either team?
Andy Katz: It's hard to say a game like this is a must-win. But Texas needs it more for the résumé whereas Iowa State can't afford to lose if it wants to keep pace with Kansas in a possible Big 12 title chase. The Cyclones' loss at Texas Tech is likely a game the Jayhawks won't drop.
Dana O'Neil: I'm not sure anything quantifies as a must-win in late January, but if one team needs to win more, it's Texas. The Cyclones' debacle in Lubbock can be written off as just that -- a one-game debacle. Texas, though, already has dropped three league games and frankly hasn't beaten the cream of the Big 12 crop. The Longhorns need to prove they're legit and that they have consistency.
Myron Medcalf: It might be for Texas, I think. The Longhorns were passive against Kansas, and they abandoned their best strategy: playing through the post. It ain't rocket science. They're bigger than every team in the league. Stop with the 3s and jump shots and play big. Another loss could be deflating for Texas.
2. It was a wild weekend in the Big 12. A third of the way through the conference schedule, what has been the biggest surprise?
Katz: Kansas State. The Wildcats were sideways in the nonconference. They hardly had an NIT resume. But Kansas State has turned its season around and is picking up quality wins in arguably the deepest conference in the country.
O'Neil: The whole Big 12 is weird and wild, and I'm not quite sure what to make of it. I'm still not sure if this is a conference full of really good teams or full of really OK teams. But if you have to pick a surprise, it's maybe that once again Kansas is in charge. That shouldn't be a surprise, but the team I saw play Kentucky in the first game of the year didn't look like it could be in charge of anything.
Medcalf: That Kansas is on top and clearly the best team in the league without that typical superstar -- no Wiggins-like performer on the roster. But the Jayhawks are just outworking everyone and playing together. I have no idea how Bill Self does this.
3. Does North Carolina have enough depth to survive all these injuries?
Katz: Yes. But only if Marcus Paige continues to hit timely shots and the frontcourt players create scoring opportunities inside, so there is offensive balance. This team has Final Four potential, but the burden is on Paige to deliver the big shot.
O'Neil: The good news for the Heels is the injury bug hasn't really hit the starters yet, so they can survive. But the bad news is with a shortened bench and a gauntlet of games coming up -- Syracuse, Louisville and Virginia -- the starters will be pressed to come up for a breath. That's asking a lot. I wouldn't be surprised if Carolina took a few on the chin here.
Medcalf: Nope. There is a big difference between "bodies" and "depth." The Tar Heels can put folks on the court but losing players such as Theo Pinson and others could be problematic if the team doesn't get healthy soon. There's a big drop-off at the end of their bench.
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