The Better Big Three: Oklahoma or Baylor

The term “Big Three” seems to be overused a lot nowadays. If there are three great players on a team, then without a question, they should be dubbed that team’s “Big Three.” However, in 2008 and 2011, Oklahoma and Baylor had a different type of “Big Three.” They had three student-athletes, all on different teams within the program, but dominated in their sport.

In 2008, the Sooners had the Big Three of Sam Bradford, Blake Griffin, and Courtney Paris. In 2011, the Bears trio consisted of Robert Griffin III, Perry Jones III, and Brittney Griner

III

. All six of these athletes helped contribute to some of the best athletic years for their schools, and it’s uncanny how similar these trios are. You’ve got two quarterbacks that lit up scoreboards on a weekly basis. You have two forwards who were dominant forces in the paint. And you have two women that made great impacts on women’s basketball. Sure Oklahoma is a traditional powerhouse and has more resources, but Baylor is an athletic department on the uprise. Looking back at OU’s trio in 2008, and Baylor’s Big Three last season, which set had a better year?

Sam Bradford vs. Robert Griffin III

Bradford and Griffin are two different breeds of quarterbacks, so maybe this one is unfair. Bradford is one of the best pocket-passers in college football history, and led an offense about as potent as it gets. He had plenty of targets in his receiving core and a huge offensive line. However, RGIII and the Bears were a team no one ever saw as a threat in the conference. They built up the program from mediocrity, and with Griffin’s will to win, and ability to throw and run the ball, he made for one of the most electrifying quarterbacks the sport has ever seen. Maybe Bradford gets a slight edge, because he got his team to the National Championship game that season, however, a 10-win season for the Baylor Bears? They deserve some kind of medal for that performance. This is a tough call, but I think most people would agree Griffin is the better athlete, but Bradford the better football player.

Statistical Comparison

Blake Griffin vs. Perry Jones III

Maybe Perry Jones was thrown in to make this a Big Three battle, but if could have produced like he did his freshman season, maybe this is more of a contest. Blake Griffin simply was about as dominant as you can get. He took the Big 12 by storm, and no one really would have blamed him for leaving after one season. Though, he came back, and made this comparison possible. Jones missed out on five games due to a suspension, so maybe his stats would have been a bit better, but Griffin still was imposing on the court, and led an Oklahoma team that isn’t a perennial power in college basketball. Without a doubt, Oklahoma gets the edge here.

Statistical Comparison

Courtney Paris vs. Brittney Griner

Women’s basketball is the butt of many jokes, but I don’t think any OU fan had a problem bragging about Courtney Paris. The same with Sic ‘Em Nation with Brittney Griner. The two girls, like Bradford and RGIII, are different types of players. Both were centers, but Paris used her size to power by defenders and dominate on the boards. However, Griner is just flat out tall. 6-8, and she can dunk better than most guys can. She is long, and is the ultimate game-changer in basketball. Baylor, obviously, wins this one. A national championship on top of a perfect season, and possibly the best women to every play the game? No question it’s the Bears.

Statistical Comparison

So

because I’m biased

, Oklahoma wins 2-1. Despite the fact that Griner led the Lady Bears to an undefeated season, Blake Griffin’s edge over Perry Jones outweighs it by way too much. Bradford barely beats Griffin, but overall, Oklahoma has the better trio. However, if any Baylor fans would like to argue, I’d lover to hear what you have to think.