BORDER WAR RECAP

KU WINS BIG XII TITLE

 

    CBS should have switched coverage earlier Saturday afternoon when the network left the Missouri-Kansas game with 3:15 left to pick up the start of Michigan-Michigan State.

    With MU junior Michael Dixon at the free throw line trying to cut into a 13-point deficit, CBS went to three minutes of commercials before jumping to the Big Ten. The Tigers immediately went on a 9-0 run while fans scrambled to tune in their radios for Mizzou's last gasp effort. Add to that SNAFU, the local outlet had three lengthy blackouts to essentially ruin any chance to enjoy Missouri's loss, 66-70.

    Mizzou trailed just 32-31 after 20 minutes thanks to making 13 of 17 free throws and to forcing 14 KU turnovers. Despite woeful shooting from the field (29.3%) including 3-24 from 3-point range, the Tigers actually took a 33-32 to start the second half but then went scoreless for almost five minutes to go down by six and later by as much as 15.

    With the victory in Columbia, Kansas captured outright the Big XII season crown, a title they have won or shared the past seven years. That accomplishment, in and of itself, speaks to the Kansas tradition. The streak is the longest in major college basketball since the UCLA dynasty under John Wooden; and no program since comes close to matching KU's remarkable run of success.

    KU's frontline killed Missouri in the paint, again banging the boards, tipping and stuffing back misses and putting Rikki Ratliffe and Justine Safford (two points and one rebound on Senior Day) in early foul trouble. Ratliffe, who only played 19 minutes, fouled out with 6:49 to play, posted only four points and three rebounds and drew the ire of Coach Mike Anderson who indicated Laurence Bowers needs some help.

    Bowers scored 20 points and took down 14 rebounds, including five on the offensive end. Marcus Denmon chipped in 19, going 9-10 from the charity stripe. Kimmie English again played horribly, with only three points and not a single carom on his stat line. The Pressey sisters combined for six points, one rebound and not a single assist. In contrast, KU's Morris brothers teamed up for 31 points, 18 rebounds and five assists.     

    If there is such a thing as a "good loss" at this time of year, this one might qualify. Because the final score was close and because the Tigers (several of them, anyway) showed a little fight Mizzou may be ready to take out some frustrations on their first round opponent in the conference tournament. On the flip side, a lackadaisical Tiger effort in KC could stick in the collective neck of the selection committee.