Nick Krug/Journal-World Photo Baylor guard LaceDarius Dunn puts up a jumper over Kansas forward Markieff Morris during the second half Thursday, March 12, 2009 at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City.

Monday night, when Kansas University’s basketball team takes on Baylor in Waco, Texas, Jayhawk defenders will undoubtedly chase sharp-shooting, three-point threat LaceDarius Dunn all around the Ferrell Center.

Dunn, a senior from Monroe, La., leads the Big 12 in scoring (22.3 points per game) and three-pointers made per game (4.15).
Doesn’t it seem like Dunn has played for the Bears forever? He’s a guy like Texas A&M’s Josh Carter, who I swore was a 10-year player for the Aggies.

Dunn is on the verge of making Big 12 history this season for career three-pointers.

Currently, Dunn has converted 353 career triples. The Big 12 record is 389, held by former Texas guard A.J. Abrams. Dunn should reach that mark in another nine games, if his averages hold up.

Two years ago, in a Conference Chatter blog entry, we discussed the best three-point shooters in the history of the Big 12.

Popular names in the comments section included Abrams and former Kansas guards Jeff Boschee and Kirk Hinrich.

Add Dunn to that mix.

By the end of the season, the career three-pointers list in the Big 12 should look like this:

• 1. LaceDarius Dunn, Baylor (2007-2011): xxx
• 2. A.J. Abrams, Texas (2005-2009): 389
• 3. Jeff Boschee, Kansas (1998-2002): 338
• 4. Clarence Gilbert, Missouri (1998-2002): 332
• 5. Josh Carter, Texas A&M (2005-2009 [OK, maybe not 10 years]): 299

Of course, it’s difficult to define ‘best’ three-point shooter. Three-point percentage should factor into the equation. Here are the top five three-point career percentages in Big 12 history, with a minimum of two trifectas made per game:

• 1. Dedric Willoughby, Iowa State (1996-1997): 45.1 percent (102-of-226)
• 2. Brian Conklin, Nebraska (2000-2004): 43.2 percent (176-407)
• 3. Galen Morrison, Kansas State (1999-2000): 43.2 percent (67-155)
• 4. Kirk Hinrich, Kansas (1999-2003): 43.1 percent (236-546)
• 5. Tracey Anderson, Texas A&M (1996-1997): 42.7 percent (47-110)

Each of the aforementioned names, with the exception of Hinrich, is rather forgettable when discussing the best three-point marksman in the history of the conference.

To me, the real question was, which player on the career three-pointers list had the best three-point percentage? This way, we could factor in total threes and percentage.

The answer: A&M’s Carter, at 42 percent. Dunn isn’t too far behind, however, at 40.8.

If Dunn keeps his three-point percentage at 40 percent this season, it’d be difficult not to designate him the best three-point shooter in Big 12 history.

So who do you think gets KU’s Big Monday defensive assignment against Dunn? The 6-foot-4 Dunn typically plays the 2-guard, with A.J. Walton running point, Anthony Jones at 3, Quincy Acy at 4 and Perry Jones at 5.

KU’s starting guards on Saturday against Nebraska were Tyshawn Taylor, Josh Selby and Tyrel Reed. Journal-World sports editor Tom Keegan thinks there’s still hope for Tyshawn Taylor on defense. Do you stick him on Dunn? Or do you go with Selby or Reed? Brady Morningstar could also receive some looks against Dunn coming off the bench.

Dunn is a tough assignment because he’s more of an all-around player this season.

His first two seasons, Dunn seemed content camping out beyond the three-point line and firing away. He didn’t drive a whole lot. And he really didn’t find open teammates, as evidenced by his .8 assists per game his freshman season and his ridiculously putrid .6 assists per contest his sophomore campaign.

The last two years, Dunn has kept defenses more honest. He dishes more this season (2.3 assists per game; not all-world, but an improvement), and he’s a threat to reach the paint for layups off the dribble-drive.

In the four times Dunn has faced Kansas (he’s 1-3 against the Jayhawks), he’s averaged 21.8 points per game and has shot better than 50 percent from beyond the arc.

For Kansas (17-0, 2-0 Big 12) to stay undefeated, it will have to challenge Dunn to a lower clip from distance. Statistically, KU has defended the three better than any team in the Big 12 this season, holding opponents to a chilly 24.9 percentage.

Should that happen with Dunn, the Jayhawks should stay undefeated.

That should be all for now, friends. As always, discuss.