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March 14, 2009
There may not be a more compelling college hoops story in the nation right now than the No. 9-seeded Baylor Bears: The Cinderella of Cinderellas.
I was curious just how unlikely this 5 p.m. title game in Oklahoma City would be from a historical perspective.
As a simple exercise, I added up the seeds from each Big 12 tournament finals game from 1997 to present. In this exercise, No. 9 Baylor and No. 3 Missouri would score a 12 in 2009, for instance. Turns out it's the highest score in conference finals history, barely topping 1997, when No. 1 Kansas defeated No. 10 Missouri.
Here's the breakdown:
- 2009: 12 (No. 3 Missouri vs. No. 9 Baylor)
- 2008: 3 (No. 2 Kansas 84, No. 1 Texas 74)
- 2007: 4 (No. 1 Kansas 88, No. 3 Texas 84)
- 2006: 3 (No. 2 Kansas 80, No. 1 Texas 68)
- 2005: 7 (No. 3 Oklahoma State 72, No. 4 Texas Tech 68)
- 2004: 3 (No. 1 Oklahoma State 65, No. 2 Texas 49)
- 2003: 8 (No. 3 Oklahoma 49, No. 5 Missouri 47
- 2002: 3 (No. 2 Oklahoma 64, No. 1 Kansas 55
- 2001: 7 (No. 3 Oklahoma 54, No. 4 Texas 45
- 2000: 4 (No. 1 Iowa State 70, No. 3 Oklahoma 58
- 1999: 8 (No. 3 Kansas 53, No. 5 Oklahoma State 37
- 1998: 4 (No. 1 Kansas 72, No. 3 Oklahoma State 58
- 1997: 11 (No. 1 Kansas 87, No. 10 Missouri 60
An unlikely championship game today at Ford Center. History's at stake.
First, no team lower than a No. 3 seed has ever won the Big 12 tournament. Baylor could change that.
Second, the Big 12 has never sent more than six teams to the NCAA Tournament. Baylor could make it seven with an automatic bid if it beats Missouri.
Either way, one of these programs is going to win its first Big 12 tournament in conference history.
I never thought it could be Baylor. Missouri, maybe. But Baylor? The same Baylor that was ranked to start the season, then put together an abysmal 5-11 conference record?
The same Baylor that ranks 229th in the nation in scoring defense and gives up 70.3 points per game (10th in the Big 12)? In the Big 12 tournament, you must play defense to win. Kansas won the tournament three years in a row, and the Jayhawks faced Texas all three years. Both teams could guard as well as anyone in the country.
A look at the numbers and Baylor is exceeding expectations on defense just like it's exceeding expectations in this unlikely postseason run.
In this season's Big 12 tournament, the Bears are giving up 61 points per game (nine under their season average). KU won the tournament in 2008 giving up 66.3 points per game; 64 points per game in 2007; and 65 points per game in 2006.
What's even more interesting is Baylor has played a 2-3 zone on defense for nearly the entire tournament. Coincidence?
Moving on...
Player of the day: Kevin Rogers, Baylor
Rogers led the Bears with 20 points on Friday in Baylor's 76-70 victory over Texas. His ability to knock down the 15 to 18-foot jump shot kept the Texas defense off balance. You must respect his ability to get to the rack, so when Rogers is making that shot, he's awfully tough to defend.
Note: AP File photo from Jan. 27 in Waco, Texas.
In three Big 12 tournament games, the Dallas native is averaging 14.7 points and 10 boards per game. Rogers, a senior, averaged 12 and seven during the regular season.
What's everyone's prediction for the championship game? Mizzou will clearly enter as the favorite. I haven't seen a line yet, but I'd guess somewhere around 4-5.
That should be all for now, friends. As always, discuss. And predict.
Comments
dsmith84 (anonymous) says...
I will say I think that Syracuse in the Big East is NEARLY as cool of a story... considering they played 6 OT's then had enough Juice left the next day to win another game in overtime... let's see if playing the equivalent of 3 games in 2 days slows them down at all against Louisville (who, other than Memphis and their NAIA schedule, is hotter than Louisville?)
I am not going to predict this one... because I think we all know what I hope happens. whatever hurts Mizzouri but helps the Big XII conference in general is good for me!
March 14, 2009 at 7:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hail2olku (anonymous) says...
"The plaque for the alternates is down in the ladies room."
March 14, 2009 at 9:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
esorrentino (Eric Sorrentino) says...
dsmith, great point on Syracuse. I think without question, Baylor and 'Cuse are the two most interesting storylines going on this potseason. Who ya got in the Big East title game tonight?
March 14, 2009 at 12:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
beakem_in_LA (anonymous) says...
From a record books and "current streak" perspective, Jayhawk nation should be rooting for Baylor tonight. If Baylor gets the automatic bid, it further clouds Arizona's hopes of getting an at large bid. If Arizona doesn't make the big dance this year, Kansas would then be the current leader for consecutive NCAA tourney births. We could have that streak and be the leader for consecutive home court wins going into next season if the committee decides to look the other way on AZ tomorrow.
Of course, from a non-record books perspective, I'm still rooting for Baylor, because really, Muck Fizzou.
PS- You gotta tend to believe that 'Cuse's legs are gonna be awfully heavy today. In '97 in the Big 12 tourney, Mizzou played four games in four days and it really showed against KU (eventough KU was the better team to begin with, those border games tend to be much closer than 27 points... except this last March 1st - but I digress). Today for 'Cuse it's the equivalent of playing their fourth game in three days time. Their minutes logged will probably catch up to them, AND they are playing a good Louisville team. Gotta go with the Cardinals in that one.
March 14, 2009 at 2:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jhawker_87 (anonymous) says...
Sic 'em Bears!
March 14, 2009 at 2:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
phoggydog (anonymous) says...
Crazy year, crazy tournaments....this is why NCAA basketball trumps all sports.
March 14, 2009 at 4:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )