Jack's Smack: Kansas has a height advantage over Missouri, but Tigers can counter with speed

This Big 12 basketball race is getting better and better as we close out the first half of the season.

Kansas, still, all alone at the top.

The Jayhawks have had an easier schedule and more home games than both Missouri and Baylor.

Sure, it all evens out, but simple math tells us KU will have one less home game than Missouri and Baylor in the second half of the season.

Home games are precious in this league.

Former KU All American Bud Stallworth tells me a game in Allen Fieldhouse is worth 10 points against every opponent.

The pollsters have recognized Missouri as being a cut above Kansas.

The Tigers have been the better team all season and it’s reflected in the rankings.

Kansas has one key advantage over Missouri -- its height.

The Tigers can counter with blazing quickness and speed.

Kansas has no one who can stay with Mike Dixon or Flip Pressey. No one.

Speed kills.

Now, Missouri has no one who can handle Thomas Robinson, man up.

Robinson has been drawing more and more double coverage and his production has suffered.

While the Tigers zero in on Robinson, Jeff Withey will become the key matchup against Missouri.

The big question: Can he stay out of foul trouble longer than Ricardo Ratliffe?

Both benches are shallow, but Missouri has the best 6th man in the conference in Mike Dixon.

I can't wait for Saturday night.

There’s more at stake than in years past, simply because the longtime rivalry is about to end.

KU wants to kill it. The main reason is obvious.

Kansas feels slighted that Missouri was picked to move on to bigger and better conference in the SEC.

Big time college sports are all about football.

Kansas tradition is tied to the peach basket.

But neither matter on Saturday night.

Throw all that other stuff out the window.

This one comes down to---want to. It comes down to toughness and to all around talent.

Missouri has a decided edge, in all three categories.

Missouri 77, Kansas 71.

That’s Jack’s Smack.