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March 9, 2009
Welcome to the latest edition of Conference Chatter, where you'll be asked to make your opinions known on the upcoming Big 12 men's basketball tournament in Oklahoma City.
I'll answer some fill-in-the-blank, hot topic questions and then ask for your responses as well.
First, though, a rundown of the Big 12 tournament pairings and seedings. The top four seeds (No. 1 Kansas, No. 2 Oklahoma, No. 3 Missouri and No. 4 Kansas State) receive first-round byes.
First round — Wednesday
- No. 8 Nebraska vs. No. 9 Baylor, 11:30 a.m.
- No. 5 Texas vs. No. 12 Colorado, 2 p.m.
- No. 7 Oklahoma State vs. No. 10 Iowa State, 6 p.m.
- No. 6 Texas A&M vs. No. 11 Texas Tech, 8:30 p.m.
Second round — Thursday
- No. 1 Kansas vs. Nebraska/Baylor, 11:30 a.m.
- No. 4 Kansas State vs. Texas/Colorado, 2 p.m.
- No. 2 Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State/Iowa State, 6 p.m.
- No. 3 Missouri vs. Texas Tech/Texas A&M, 8:30 p.m.
Time for five questions to get us ready for the tournament. I'm curious what everyone thinks so post your answers in the comments section below.
1. The most exciting Big 12 tournament title game would be...?
Answer: No. 1 Kansas vs. No. 2 Oklahoma. Obviously, we still haven't seen KU vs. Oklahoma with the future national player of the year Blake Griffin roaming the paint for the Sooners. In KU's 87-78 victory over OU on Feb. 23 in Norman, Cole Aldrich dominated the paint with 20 boards. The Jayhawks outrebounded the Sooners, 35-29. How much of this would change with Griffin playing? Plus, it's about time we see a KU-OU battle with a healthy Griffin. For the past two years, we haven't seen this matchup.
If this ends up being the title game, the Ford Center crowd should be interesting to observe. Oklahoma City is no more than 30 minutes away from Norman, but the KU basketball faithful travel better than the OU basketball faithful. Split crowd in this scenario?
2. The biggest sleeper of the Big 12 tournament will be...?
Answer: Texas A&M. Look out for the Aggies (23-8, 9-7 Big 12), winners of six straight and a near-lock for an NCAA Tournament bid. The Aggies should win their first-round game against Texas Tech to set up a rematch against Missouri, which A&M destroyed on Saturday in College Station, Texas.
A&M was one of the few teams able to slow down the Tigers. The Aggies went to the line 35 times on Saturday. They converted 26 for a rather average 74 percent, but Missouri couldn't run up and down the floor with frequent pauses in the game for A&M free throw attempts.
Zaire Taylor ended up fouling out. J.T. Tiller, as far as I'm concerned the best on-the-ball defender in the conference, had four fouls. DeMarre Carroll, just voted an All-Big 12 first teamer, had four fouls as well. A&M should have confidence, should a rematch take place.
I'd also look out for Oklahoma State (20-10, 9-7), which had won six in a row before running into Oklahoma on Saturday.
3. The team that needs the Big 12 tournament the most for its NCAA Tournament hopes is...?
Answer: Kansas State. It's interesting to call K-State, the No. 4 seed in the conference tournament, on the bubble for the NCAA Tournament when the Big 12 should send six teams to the Big Dance. But the Wildcats have a weak non-conference resume, and their only win against a ranked team was at then-No. 11 Texas, which currently isn't ranked.
If the Wildcats win one game, they'll probably remain on the bubble. If they win two games, that would mean they'd knock out Kansas in the semifinals. This is their best shot to prove to the committee they belong in the NCAA Tournament.
4. The winner of the Big 12 tournament will be...?
Answer: Kansas. Three reasons.
First, the path. The only way the Jayhawks see Oklahoma or Missouri is in the title game. Kansas also has no chance of facing my two sleeper teams, A&M and Oklahoma State, unless it's in the title game. KU is in the Big 12 tournament championship with a victory over Nebraska/Baylor, followed by a victory over Texas/Kansas State. This is a favorable path.
Second, tournament history. The Jayhawks have simply owned the tournament, winning the last three years. They've proven (in 2007) they can win the tournament in Oklahoma City, as opposed to the more convenient Kansas City, Mo. They've won the tournament six times in the conference's 12-year history.
Third, coaching. This is relatively new territory for Oklahoma coach Jeff Capel and Missouri coach Mike Anderson. Both fabulous coaches. But this is far from new territory for KU coach Bill Self, who was just named AP's Big 12 coach of the year. I'll take a Self-coached team in a big game over anyone else in the conference.
5. The craziest Big 12 tournament moment was when...?
Answer: Colorado defeated Kansas State, 77-76, in the 2003 tournament in Dallas. I'm sure everyone remembers the Pervis Pasco fiasco:
That should be all for now, friends. Is anyone traveling to Oklahoma City? I saw tickets were still available online as of Sunday morning for all sessions, but they were going for $240 a pop.
As always, discuss.
Comments
KUballer (anonymous) says...
Love the video. I remember watching the game.
For the most part i agree with all your predictions.
March 8, 2009 at 4:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mikeowens (anonymous) says...
Pasco.
I've re-enacted that moment on the playground so many times. One of the all-time greatest gaffes.
March 8, 2009 at 5:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
railer1122 (anonymous) says...
I am going down there.. What you do is stand outside the entrance and when a team loses, people sell their all-session passes. And they sell them pretty cheap.
March 8, 2009 at 5:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
thetagger (anonymous) says...
Ah, what a classic! K-State basketball! catch the fever!!!
March 8, 2009 at 5:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
matt_tait (Matt Tait) says...
Great video post, Eric. That was one of the best moments in the history of the Big 12 tournament. Hilarious.
Here are my answers:
1. Kansas v. Texas - semifinals - KU-OU would be great but when I think "exciting" I think Texas and KU. The regular season finale was fantastic and I think both teams would be amped up for the rematch.
2. Texas - They have the look of a team that can get hot and get angry and go on one heck of a run. In a lot of ways, they need to. I'm guessing they're in the tourney already but only as a 7 or 8 seed. They need a run to improve their chances in the Dance.
3. I'll go Okie State. I think K-State is toast (unless they win it) and think OSU needs a little more help to prove to the committee that they deserve a bid AND that the Big 12 deserves six bids. Crazy.
4. Kansas. The path is too sweet and KU is the class of the Big 12 yet again.
5. Craziest has to be Pasco. Saddest has to be when former Colorado star Donnie Boyce broke his leg in a game against Oklahoma. Boyce had a real shot at an NBA career before that moment and the arena went dead silent when Boyce was rolling around the floor in pain. Sad, sad ending to a brilliant career.
Can't believe it's tourney time and can't believe Selection Sunday is one week away. Wow!!!!
March 8, 2009 at 6:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JayhawkLova7 (anonymous) says...
1. I have to agree, KU and OU would be a great game! With Griffin back it would make for one heck of a game. Even though I wouldn't be to unhappy if it was KU-MU personally. I just think that emotions will be running high and great players will make great plays when it all counts.
2. I think believe Texas as well. They played tough against Kansas Saturday and showed some heart and fire. I do not believe they will go far in the Tournament personally but if James, Mason, and the rest of their athletic team really steps up they will go further then anyone expected.
3. Oklahoma State needs to start winning but I just don't think its going to happen personally. K-State is out of it in my opinion, they just didn't play very well. They didn't play horrible they just didn't play good and they are not consistent.
4. Kansas.
Kansas is the tough team that comes in with the heart and will to win.They have shown time and time again how important this is to them and if they play to the best of their abilities I believe we will win it without to much trouble. I may be wrong, but Kansas is just the classiest team in the Big XII. I could say a thousand things that could convince you but I don't think you need convincing.
5. I would have to agree, 2003 had to be the craziest.
I just wanted to throw in that my favorite Big XII moment would have to be 2007, amazing! That game is in tie for second for my favorite basketball games next to the National Championship game and the North Carolina game. I enjoyed that.
In the end Kansas will be outright Big XII champs once again!
March 8, 2009 at 9:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JGfromPK (anonymous) says...
Is it just me, or was it really wild that Colorado ran straight off the court at the end there? Hit the shot, arms in the air, ran straight out of the arena. Almost as odd as Pasco's unbelievable mistake.
March 8, 2009 at 10:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JGfromPK (anonymous) says...
Has anyone heard where the games will be on TV? Everything still says "TBA"
March 8, 2009 at 10:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
esorrentino (Eric Sorrentino) says...
I'm liking what we have here. Some interesting responses.
JG, as far as KU is concerned, the Jays will be on ESPN2 at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday. If they win that game, they'll be on the Big 12 Network at 6 p.m. on Friday in the semifinals. If they win that, the Big 12 tournament title game will be at 5 p.m. Saturday on ESPN.
The rest of the games should be available on either ESPN or the Big 12 network. Hope this helps...
March 8, 2009 at 11:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oldalum (anonymous) says...
Here's what I'm going by:
Wednesday, March 11
Game 1 - #8 Nebraska vs #9 Baylor - Big 12 Network
Game 2 - #5 Texas vs #12 Colorado - Big 12 Network
Game 3 - #7 Oklahoma State vs #10 Iowa State - Big 12 Network
Game 4 - #6 Texas A&M vs #11 Texas Tech - Big 12 Network
Thursday, March 12
Game 5 - #1 Kansas vs G1 Winner - ESPN2
Game 6 - #4 Kansas State vs G2 Winner - Big 12 Network
Game 7 - #2 Oklahoma vs G3 Winner - Big 12 Network
Game 8 - #3 Missouri vs G4 Winner - ESPN2
Friday, March 13
G5 Winner vs G6 Winner - Big 12 Network
G7 Winner vs G8 Winner - Big 12 Network
Saturday, March 14
Big 12 Championship Game @ 5pm - ESPN - G9 Winner vs G10 Winner
Big 12 Network is carried on Full Court on Dish and probably Direct TV. Don't know about any cable companies.
March 8, 2009 at 11:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
FunEfellow (anonymous) says...
http://www.big12sports.com/ViewArticl...
Has the times and networks for all the games. I can't believe the semis are only being shown on the Big 12 Network (especially since EVERY Big East game is on an espn/abc channel), but there you have it.
March 8, 2009 at 11:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chuckberry32 (anonymous) says...
1. Kansas vs Missouri. This is the only team that split with us and would provide an exciting rubber game.
2. Texas A&M. They have the most to gain and are capable of doing so.
3. KState.
4. Well, I'm convinced winning this thing doesn't really help KU any except to tire them out about but no one want s to have a loss going into the tournament. I'm going to go with KU over MU or OU over KU depending on who wins that matchup.
5. I think this depends on your defenition of crazy. I'm partial to the second major comeback by KU against the Durant led longhorns.
March 9, 2009 at 7:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dsmith84 (anonymous) says...
1. I'd say KU vs. MU or OU. far and away the 3 best basketball teams in the conference would provide the most exciting final, in either combo.
2. I don't think an NCAA tournament team (A&M and OSU are both in as long as they win their first round game) can qualify as a "sleeper" so I'd have to say Tech could be a sleeper after the way they whooped us last week.
3. 5 way tie between Nebraska, Baylor, Iowa State, Texas Tech, and Colorado. All 5 of these teams need to WIN the big XII tournament to go to the NCAA tournament... I think K-State could get it done by beating Texas and KU, even if they lose in the final.
4. Kansas. The winner of the league is as safe a bet as there is.
5. Pervis Pasco Fiasco. There have been crazier stretches of basketball (the 2nd half comeback by KU over UTDurant), but no crazier moment in the tournament's short history.
March 9, 2009 at 10:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
okjhok (anonymous) says...
Some of the games are also being carried on Altitude, for those who live outside the Big 12 area.
March 9, 2009 at 12:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yates33333 (anonymous) says...
I hope they don't let Texas play their hockey game style of basketball. The referees ought to referee this time.
March 9, 2009 at 8:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hwtan (anonymous) says...
Pasco, must be from K-State.
March 9, 2009 at 8:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hwtan (anonymous) says...
If KU beats the healthy OU in the final, will KU gets a number 1 seed in the NCAA?
March 9, 2009 at 8:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
esorrentino (Eric Sorrentino) says...
A great question. Right now, Joe Lunardi has the three Big East teams and UNC as No. 1 seeds. It should be interesting to see if any of these teams fall early in the Big East Tournament. I'd say right now, UNC, UConn and Pitt are pretty much locks for 1 seeds.
If Kansas defeats Oklahoma in the final, it would have a legitimate argument for a No. 1 seed, IMO. The Jays already have a better conference record than OU and would have beaten them twice, including once in Norman. I suppose it depends on how the Big East tourney plays out as well.
March 9, 2009 at 10:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Code_2008 (anonymous) says...
I just hope that everybody will come on over and cheer on the Women's team after the Kansas vs. Baylor/Nebraska game is over. The Women's Team still has a chance to achieve an NCAA bid, and an actual crowd would help tremendously.
March 9, 2009 at 11:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )