Big 12 tournament predictions

By Staff     Mar 9, 2010

I’m glad the Big 12 men’s basketball tournament returned to its rightful place in Kansas City, Mo. this season.

The Sprint Center will be the site of this year’s tournament and next year’s tournament in 2011. The ideal next step? 2012, 2013, 2014, etc.

http://worldonline.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/blogs/entry_img/2010/Mar/09/thubiz_Sprint_Center_Grand_Ope.jpg
Orlin Wagner/AP Photo: A view inside Sprint Center

The postseason basketball tournament belongs in Kansas City, just as the Big 12 football championship belongs in Arlington, Texas.

With two exceptionally dynamic and beautiful facilities in Big 12 territories — Sprint Center and Cowboys Stadium — why even think of holding the postseason championships anywhere else?

To get ready for the Big 12 hoops tournament, which begins Wednesday at 11:30 a.m., I’ve prepared five questions. We won’t know the answers until after Saturday’s 5 p.m. championship game, so feel free to offer your answers in the comments section below.

Here’s the tournament bracket:

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Source: big12sports.com

**1. Aside from the top four seeds with first-round byes (No. 1 Kansas, No. 2 Kansas State, No. 3 Baylor and No. 4 Texas A&M), what team would you not want to face?**

**Answer:** Oklahoma State. No thanks. The Cowboys should beat Oklahoma and then have a legitimate chance of upsetting Kansas State.

The Cowboys, behind Big 12 player of the year James Anderson, were the only team to knock off Kansas and Kansas State this season.

http://worldonline.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/blogs/entry_img/2010/Mar/09/ku_bkc_osu_29.jpg
Nick Krug/Journal-World Photo

In fact, I’d rather be No. 3 Baylor than No. 2 Kansas State in the tournament. Baylor’s likely second-round game would be against a reeling No. 6 Texas squad. K-State’s likely second-round draw would be against surging No. 7 Okie State.

**2. Which player will score the most total points in the tournament?**

http://worldonline.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/blogs/entry_img/2010/Mar/09/ku_bkc_baylor_nk_04.jpg
Nick Krug/Journal-World Photo

**Answer:** LaceDarius Dunn. Lace lit up Texas for 30 points in the Bears’ 92-77 regular-season finale. I foresee Baylor making a deep run, with the the Big 12’s three-point leader and second-leading scorer being the catalyst.

**3. What’s your Oscar selection for movie of the year?**

**Answer:** OK, so a little off topic, but here at Conference Chatter, that happens every now and then with TV shows and movies. Admittedly, I have not seen Avatar or Crazy Heart. I have seen Hurt Locker, Up in the Air and Inglourious Basterds. Was I the only one not blown away by Hurt Locker? My vote goes to George Clooney and Co., with a slight edge over Quentin Tarantino’s gem. Up in the Air.

**4A. How many Big 12 teams will reach the NCAA Tournament?**

**Answer:** Seven.

And they’re all pretty sure locks: Kansas, Kansas State, Baylor, Texas A&M, Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma State.

The seven teams in the tournament would be a conference record. The Big 12 has put six teams in the tourney the past two years, and in 2005, 2003, 2002, 2001 and 2000.

**4B: Is the Big 12 the best conference in the country?**

**Answer:** Yes. This is probably the best the Big 12’s ever been. If Kansas and K-State make deep NCAA runs (don’t count out Baylor and A&M doing the same), it would really drive the point home.

**5. What is your Big 12 tournament finals matchup, and who wins?**

**Answer:** Kansas vs. Baylor; Champion: Kansas.

Ah, wouldn’t that be interesting? A rematch of the second-round shocker from last season, when the No. 9 Bears defeated the No. 1 Jayhawks, 71-64, in Oklahoma City.

http://worldonline.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/blogs/entry_img/2010/Mar/09/ku_bkc_baylor_big12_16.jpg
Nick Krug/Journal-World Photo

Kansas should make it to the finals. The Jayhawks will have more fans at Sprint Center than any other team, so it should feel like home games, taken down several notches.

Texas A&M presents a possible obstacle for KU in the semifinals, but the Aggies would have to hold off Missouri before that game happens. A&M coach Mark Turgeon is also 0-4 against his alma mater, KU.

Kansas has looked unstoppable the past week against its two biggest rivals, K-State and Missouri, winning by an average of 18 points in the two contests.

Baylor would have to hold off Texas and the Kansas State/Oklahoma State winner to make the finals. The Bears have won four straight games and seven of eight. Why they’re not ranked higher than No. 21 in the Associated Press poll is beyond me.

Fun fact: Baylor forward/sixth man Quincy Acy threw down 10 dunks against Texas on Saturday. By himself. Yikes. I like Baylor to reach the finals again.

What are your answers? That should be all for now. As always, discuss.

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