KU STEALS BIG XII CROWN
With a little help from their in-state rivals, the Kansas Jayhawks last night sneaked in the Big XII Conference back door and purloined their seventh consecutive conference basketball title. When questioned by authorities, Coach Bill Self denied any knowledge of the theft.
The Kansas State Wildcats Monday night in Austin handed the Texas Longhorns their third conference loss in the past four games, boosting KU into first place in the Big XII. The win was K-State's fifth straight and moved them into sole possession of fourth place in the last week of the regular season. It also assured the Wildcats a spot in the NCAA tournament, improved their probable seed in the Big Dance and knocked Missouri out of the race for a first round bye in the conference tourney.
While technically still alive for the fourth bye, Mizzou must beat Nebraska on the road tonight and then play spoiler in Saturday's finale against the Jayhawks. Two MU wins and a K-State loss to Iowa State would probably not be enough for the Tigers because K-State moved ahead of them in this week's RPI, the tiebreaker should both teams finish 10-6 in the league. Fat chance.
The conference race aside, Missouri needs at least a win in Lincoln to assure themselves a spot in the NCAA field. Only once has a .500 team from the Big XII made it to March Madness; although the 68-team expanded field leaves some wiggle room for the Tigers, who have been a Top 25 team for most of the season.
Nebraska's win over top-ranked Texas 10 days ago sparked some "bubble" talk for the Cornhuskers; but that pipe dream went up in smoke when NU lost in overtime Saturday at Iowa State. A lot can happen in two weeks, but the Bugeaters need to win tonight at home, win their season finale in Boulder (to finish at 8-8 in league) and make a deep run the Big XII Tournament to have a prayer for an invitation to the Big Dance.
Fate has once again frowned on the Mizzou Faithful, though K-State's win Monday does set up the possibility for Missouri to upset KU's hopes of claiming outright the last Big XII Conference crown. Should Texas win out and Kansas lose another game, the teams would tie at 13-3, with the #1 conference seed going to the Longhorns by virtue of their win over the Jayhawks in Lawrence. Texas concludes the regular season Saturday in Waco against Baylor; and Kansas hosts Texas A&M Wednesday night before Saturday's trip to Columbia for the regular season finale. If Texas beats Baylor, two KU losses would eliminate any claim to the title.
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