After almost a month of conference play, here's how the Big 12 teams size up, with their prospects for post-season play. Every game between now and the Big 12 tournament is scheduled for television.
KANSAS (20-1, 6-0)
The Jayhawks probably will move back to #1 in the polls after Kentucky lost this week at South Carolina. After the Missouri game, my opinion of KU rose substantially. They are certainly the best team in the Big 12 and have a legitimate chance for a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Their only loss at Tennessee was probably the result of a rip in the time-space continuum. They gutted out a win in Manhattan Saturday night in overtime to put a stranglehold on the Big 12 conference race. Villanova, undefeated in the Big East, may be a legitimate contender for the nation's best team; but Kansas' never-ending stream of quality athletes gives them my vote as the frontrunner to win all the marbles in March.
TEXAS (18-3, 4-2)
After reaching the top spot in the national polls for the first time in program history, Rick Barnes' Longhorns lost three of their next four games, including a nail-biter in overtime Saturday in Waco against a very good Baylor team. After storming back to tie in regulation, Texas will have a chance for revenge against the Bears in their season finale in Austin. The 'Horns get Kansas at home, as well. Texas' young guards can be really good or pretty bad; but Damion James, without a doubt one of the best in the conference, is always good. When Dexter Pittman is not in foul trouble and involved in the offense, Texas is very, very good. I don't see them losing more than twice the rest of the way in league.
MISSOURI (16-5, 4-2)
Despite some horrid shooting nights since conference play began, the Tigers are tied for 2nd place and have a chance to solidify that spot over the next 10 days with winnable games against Texas A & M and Iowa State at home and Colorado on the road. If the Tigers can hold serve at home (with the exception of Texas in Columbia on Feb. 17) and beat Nebraska, Colorado and Iowa State on the road, they could end up as one of the top four seeds in the Big 12 Tournament with a 10-6 league mark (22-9 overall) and a decent resume for the NCAA selection committee.
KANSAS STATE (17-4, 4-3)
The Wildcats are fearless going to the hole and on the boards. They had a chance to beat KU Saturday night on ESPN, but a non-call on a missed layup at the buzzer ended regulation. It didn't help they committed two lane violations with Cole Aldrich at the free throw line. Their coach, Fiery Frank Martin, seems to be on the verge of going postal; but the scrappy 'Cats seem to feed off his energy. They finish the season with nine appearances on ESPN (or affiliates) and have perhaps the easiest remaining schedule in the conference. Already with wins over Texas and Baylor, KSU' biggest tests will be Missouri in the "Octagon of Doom" and a trip to Lawrence on March 2. They could easily finish out 8-1 and high in the polls.
OKLAHOMA STATE (16-5, 4-3)
The Cowboys face a brutal schedule in February. They host Texas tomorrow on Big Monday, then alternate home and away against Texas Tech, OU in the second part of the Bedlam Series, at Iowa State, Baylor, at Texas, Kansas at home. Still they could conceivably win six of their remaining nine and make a run at a bye in the Big 12 tournament. All their games are televised, including the KU game at 3 p.m. February 27 on CBS.
TEXAS A & M (15-6, 4-3)
After Wednesday's matchup with Missouri on ESPNU (8 p.m.) the Aggies must face Baylor twice, Kansas and Texas, not to mention Tech, OSU and OU, and Iowa State in Ames. Tough task for Mark Turgeon's troops.
BAYLOR (16-4, 4-3)
Scott Drew's Bears have faced the meat of their schedule, with Texas, which they beat Saturday in overtime in Austin, as the only ranked team left to play before tournament time. They take on Iowa State Wednesday and Missouri February 13 in Waco. Otherwise, they face all South Division foes the rest of the way. They are good enough to go undefeated between now and the start of the Big 12 tourney. Look for them to climb back up the polls as the season winds down.
OKLAHOMA (12-9, 3-4)
With nine games left before the Big 12 Tournament, the Sooners still have Texas (twice), Kansas, K-State and Baylor, not to mention Tech and A&M to whom they have already lost. Colorado might be the only team they will beat coming down the home stretch.
IOWA STATE (13-8, 2-4)
The Cyclones have beaten Nebraska and Colorado and still must face K-State and Missouri twice. Their next game is at Baylor. With KU, OSU and A & M still on the slate, the 'Clones have a tough row to hoe if they hope to win more than two between now and season's end.
TEXAS TECH (14-7, 2-5)
Pat Knight's Red Raiders, too, have a tough finishing stretch with Baylor twice, Texas and K-State still on tap. If Tech can regain some of its early season success, they have a chance against OSU, OU, and A & M. They should handle Nebraska and Colorado on the road, but probably won't finish above .500 in conference.
COLORADO (11-10, 2-5)
Despite being somewhat more competitive this year, the Buffaloes are in for a long February with two against Mizzou and KU and a rematch with K-State, which they played close in Manhattan. They have a chance against the remaining South teams (OU and Tech) and with Nebraska in Lincoln and Iowa State in Boulder. They did beat Baylor in the altitude for a signature conference victory; but it'll be tough for the Buffs to move up the conference ladder.
NEBRASKA (13-8, 1-5)
Before the Cornhuskers meet Missouri again, they face four ranked teams in their next five games. Iowa State and Colorado are the only possible wins left for Doc Sadler's Bugeaters. Having said that, they will probably blow out MU in Lincoln.
No comments:
Post a Comment