Big 12 Hoops

Previewing Saturday's Big 12 Conference Tournament Championship - Predictions and Commentary

2010-03-13T14:00:25Z

9 days ago: Kansas State's Wally Judge, left, battles Kansas' Marcus Morris, right, for a rebound during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, March 3, 2010, in Lawrence, Kan. Kansas won 82-65. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

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No. 1 Kansas vs No. 4 Texas A&M - ESPN 5:00 p.m. CST

A great match-up, and a fitting way to end a solid week of play. Intra-state rivals clash in Kansas City, as the Kansas Jayhawks and Kansas St Wildcats meet up for the third time this season. The first meeting was an epic battle that ended with Sherron Collins cementing his Jayhawk legacy. The second meeting, in Lawrence, wasn't as close, as the Jayhawks dominated the Wildcats in all facets of the game.

This one will be somewhere between those two games. Somewhere between overtime and a 17-point blowout. The two-headed partisan crowd, half dressed in red and blue, half dressed in purple will get the Sprint Center a-rockin, but in the end the number one seed will show why they've been the cream of the Big 12 crop all season.

Denis Clemente, Jacob Pullen and Jamar Samuels will put up a good fight, but at the end of the day Collins, Cole Aldrich, the Pick-a-Morris twins, Xavier Henry and company will head into the NCAA tourney as the number one overall seed after getting past K-State in this brutal affair.

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Big 12 Tourney Final Four Recap... Scores, Recaps and Players of the Games

2010-03-13T05:15:31Z

Charlie Neibergall - AP

about 23 hours ago: Baylor guard Tweety Carter, behind, tries to slow down Kansas State guard Denis Clemente (21) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big 12 tournament Friday, March 12, 2010, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

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We're down to two teams left. The number one seed and their intra-state rivals. Both could have lost on Friday night, having trailed in their games, but both found a way to pull through.

After the Jump see complete scores, recaps and players of the games for each of the two games.

Kansas (1 Seed) - 79
Texas A&M (4) - 66

Kansas does not often use a zone defense, and a shell-shocked Texas A&M must be wondering why.

Outplayed all night, the No. 1 Jayhawks went with a zone and a variation of a zone and embarked on a stunning 21-2 run that broke a tight game wide open Friday night and led them to a 79-66 victory over the No. 23 Aggies in a Big 12 semifinal.

Xavier Henry scored 11 points in the run, while Texas A&M went eight minutes without a field goal.

"Maybe it just got them out of rhythm, and it was hard for them to get it back," Kansas coach Bill Self said. "Whether it was the zone or our offense or whatever, we played pretty good the last 10 minutes. We got the ball where it needed to go and our first-shot defense was good and we rebounded the ball pretty well."

Texas A&M (23-9) led by as many as nine points early in the second half while the regular-season Big 12 champion Jayhawks (31-2) fouled and fumbled and committed turnover after turnover.

Full Recap
Player of the Game: Sherron Collins, Kansas, 26 pts, 6 assists
Up Next CHAMPIONSHIP: Kansas vs Kansas St

Kansas St. (2) - 82
Baylor (3) - 75

Dominique Sutton had a double-double and a key offense rebound that led to Jacob Pullen's 3-pointer with 2:02 left, helping No. 9 Kansas State survive for an 82-75 win over No. 21 Baylor on Friday night in the Big 12 tournament semifinals.
Sutton provided the early spark for listless Kansas State (26-6) early and finished with 14 points and 14 rebounds to send the second-seeded Wildcats into their first Big 12 championship game against rival Kansas. Pullen had 26 points and Denis Clemente added 24 to give Kansas State a school single-season record for wins.

Baylor (25-7), the third seed, shot 54 percent and got 26 points from LaceDarius Dunn, but gave up 17 offensive rebounds, including the late grab by Sutton. Ekpe Udoh added 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Bears.

Full Recap
Player of the Game: Denis Clemente, Kansas St, 24 pts, 7 assists
Up Next CHAMPIONSHIP: Kansas St vs Kansas

Previewing Friday's Big 12 Conference Tournament Action - Predictions and Commentary

2010-03-12T15:01:00Z

More photos » Amelia C. Warden - AP

about 24 hours ago: Kansas State forward Dominique Sutton (23) shoots over Baylor center Josh Lomers (50) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big 12 tournament Friday, March 12, 2010, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Amelia C. Warden)

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All four top seeds advanced on Thursday, making for some interesting games on Friday.

No. 1 Kansas vs No. 4 Texas A&M - Big 12 Network 6:00 p.m. CST

I wouldn't say Kansas was close to being upset by Texas Tech, but it was a close game.
I wouldn't say Texas A&M was close to being upset by Nebraska, but it was a close game.
So one might say that both teams are looking for their grove after coming off close games. Luckily for KU, though, they are loaded and playing a virtual home game. Sure Lawrence is still 40 minutes outside of the Sprint Center, but tell that to the completely partisan crowd. There will be more red and blue in attendance than maroon and white. Oh yeah, that and KU is absolutely LOADED. The Jayhawks need to contain Donald Sloan on the perimeter, and Sherron Collins and Xavier Henry will be up for the task. They also need to contain Bryan Davis down low, and they've got Cole Aldrich and the Morris twins to take care of that. And once they've locked those guys down, they might as well start thinking about the breakfast buffet at the Sheraton, because they are spending another night in the City of Fountains.

No. 2 Kansas St. vs No. 3 Baylor - Big 12 Network 8:30 p.m. CST

These teams are stock full of superstars, making this the game of the conference tourney I have been waiting for. K-State has Jacob Pullen, Denis Clemente and Thursday's star Jamar Samules. Baylor has Tweety Carter, LaceDarius Dunn and Ekpe Udoh starting for them. All told you have 5 on the Big 12 Hoops All Big 12 Squads, including the defensive player of the year, and the conference's official 6th man of the year. So this should be a good and close one, one I wouldn't be surprised to see going into overtime. In the end, though, it'll be Udoh's defense that rattles the Wildcats just enough to squeak out the W.

Tweet of the Day: Baylor coach Scott Drew

2010-03-12T14:24:37Z

Tweet of the Day: Baylor coach Scott Drew

Baylor moves to Big 12 semi-final with a 86-67 win over Texas. Baylor's Rpi is up to # 7 in the country. Sic'em Bears!

via @BUDREW

Big 12 Tourney 2nd Round Recap... Scores, Recaps and Players of the Games

2010-03-12T05:02:25Z

More photos » Reed Hoffmann - AP

1 day ago: Baylor center Josh Lomers (50) and Baylor guard LaceDarius Dunn (24) battle for the ball with Texas center Dexter Pittman, left, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big 12 tournament Thursday, March 11, 2010, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)

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The headline nationally is that Kansas won its 2000th game, but in local news I don't have to sell plasma to pay off a what I thought would be a breeze of a statement.

Thanks to the Texas A&M Aggies, I am not on the hook for paying all commenters to the tournament preview $100 each, as I said I would if Nebraska won the whole thing. The Corn did scare me on Wednesday when they took out Missouri, but the Aggies gigged 'em and live to see another day.

In the late game, the low seeds also swept, thanks in large part K-State's Jamar Samuels who picked a good time to score a career high and Ekpe Udoh who proved his worth as newcomer of the year.

See all the scores, recaps and players of the games after The Jump.

Kansas (1 Seed) - 80
Texas Tech (9) - 68

Kansas reached a major milestone, one just two other programs can claim.
A nice accomplishment, worthy of the trophy case.

There just isn't time for the Jayhawks to enjoy it. Not after struggling against Texas Tech, not with more important goals still out there.

Leaning on stars Cole Aldrich and Sherron Collins, No. 1 Kansas became the third team to reach 2,000 wins by pulling out an 80-68 victory over scrappy Texas Tech on Thursday in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 tournament.

"It means a lot to us right now, but right now we still have a lot of games ahead of us and we don't want to put too much focus on it," Collins said. "It means a lot to people who support us, all the players who played before us and all the people who support the program, so it's more for them than for us."

Kansas (30-2) was upset by Baylor in last year's Big 12 tournament and seemed headed for another with an uneven start. The Jayhawks slogged through a sloppy first half and had to withstand a Texas Tech rally in the second before pulling away to reach 30 wins for the ninth time, including three of the past four years.

Aldrich had 12 points, 18 rebounds and altered the game defensively, while Collins had 19 points and six assists despite foul trouble. Markieff Morris provided a lift off the bench with 11 points and nine rebounds, and Xavier Henry added 13 points help Kansas join Kentucky and North Carolina in the 2,000-win club.

Full Recap
Player of the Game: Cole Aldrich, Kansas, 12 pts, 18 reb
Up Next: Kansas vs Texas A&M

Texas A&M (4) - 70
Nebraska (12) - 64

Nebraska missed its chance to make some history at the Big 12 tournament.
Donald Sloan scored 23 points, Bryan Davis had a key three-point play at the 1:01 mark and No. 23 Texas A&M stopped the upset-minded Cornhuskers 70-64 in a close and cleanly contested quarterfinal Thursday.

Nebraska, trailing all game while trying to become the first No. 12 seed to win two Big 12 games, got close in the final minutes but Sloan and Khris Middleton hit big shots to keep the Huskers at bay.

"We really executed against the zone late," Aggies coach Mark Turgeon said. "Wish our defense would have been a little bit better down the stretch."

After Nebraska cut the lead to 62-58 with 1:35 left on Sek Henry's 3-pointer, Davis managed to get behind the Nebraska defense for a layup, was fouled by Jorge Brian Diaz and made the free throw.

In Friday's semifinals, the Aggies (23-8) get a rematch with No. 1 Kansas, which beat them last month 59-54.

"I think our guys are ready," Sloan said. "We're prepared."

Full Recap
Player of the Game: Donald, Sloan, Texas A&M, 23 pts, 3 reb, 4 assists
Up Next: Texas A&M vs Kansas

Kansas St. (2) - 83
Oklahoma St. (7) - 64

Jamar Samuels scored 21 of his career-high 27 points in the first half, helping No. 9 Kansas State turn a rematch into a rout with an 83-64 victory against Oklahoma State on Thursday night in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 tournament.

Kansas State (25-6) had been waiting to play Oklahoma State again since a home loss in January. The Wildcats opened the game with a big run and closed the first half with an even bigger one, leaving no doubt while tying a school single-season record for wins.

Denis Clemente had 12 points and 10 assists, Jacob Pullen added 19 points and Samuels had 10 rebounds to send Kansas State into Friday's semifinals against the Baylor-Texas winner.

Oklahoma State (22-10) shot poorly and defended even worse, following up an impressive victory against rival Oklahoma with a clunker.

The Cowboys will still likely get into the NCAA tournament, but their seeding is sure to drop. Big 12 player of the year James Anderson had 27 points to lead Oklahoma State.

Kansas State had been hoping this game would come.

The Wildcats were riding an emotional high into the first meeting on Jan. 23 after knocking Texas from the top spot in the polls earlier that week. Oklahoma State put a quick end to the euphoria, beating Kansas State 73-69 in the Little Apple for its 12th victory in 14 games against the Wildcats since the inception of the Big 12.

Full Recap
Player of the Game: Jamar Samuels, Kansas St. 27 ots, 10 reb
Up Next: Kansas St. vs Baylor

Baylor (3) - 86
Texas (6) - 67

LaceDarius Dunn, benched with three quick fouls in the first half, rebounded with 17 of his 19 points after intermission and No. 21 Baylor made it three in a row over Texas with an 86-67 victory Thursday night in the Big 12 quarterfinals.
Ekpe Udoh, the Big 12's newcomer of the year, scored 25 points for the third-seeded Bears (25-6), who will meet No. 2 seed Kansas State in the semis.

Damion James had 18 points and 12 rebounds for his second straight double-double for Texas (24-9) but the all-conference senior drew one of Texas' two technicals and fouled out with 2:43 left. A few seconds later, center Dexter Pittman also fouled out for Texas, which started the season 17-0 and climbed to No. 1 before falling out of the rankings.

Tweety Carter had 20 points for Baylor, which hadn't beaten Texas three in a row since 1981-82.

Full Recap
Player of the Game: Ekpe Udoh, Baylor, 25 pts, 8 reb, 3 assists
Up Next: Baylor vs Kansas St.

Evan Pfaff, Managing Editor
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Previewing Thursday's Big 12 Conference Tournament Action - Predictions and Commentary

2010-03-11T15:00:30Z

Ed Zurga - AP

2 days ago: Texas forward Damion James dunks during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Iowa State at the Big 12 tournament Wednesday, March 10, 2010, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

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Let's hope I do better than my predictions on yesterday's games...

No. 1 Kansas vs. No. 9 Texas Tech - ESPN2 11:30 a.m. CST

Texas Tech put on a solid showing on Wednesday in their win over Colorado. Four Red Raiders poured in double-digits and defensively they held CU to under 43% shooting from the field. Well, news flash, KU aint CU. For as well as TT played on Wednesday, they will need to triple, or quadruple their effort in order to take down the 1 seed. Not impossible, but considering the Jayhawks won by 26 in their only meeting this season, Texas Tech will need a miracle to win this one. Cole Aldrich, the Morris twins and the guard combination of Sherron Collins and Xavier Henry will be too much, once again, as KU steam rolls.

No. 4 Texas A&M vs. No. 12 Nebraska - Big 12 Network 2:00 p.m. CST

Nebraska's win over Mizzou got me one step closer to having to downgrade the size of my house as my cockiness made a promise my checkbook can't cash. Luckily for me, though, Nebraska has to face a stubborn A&M team led by Donald Sloan and Bryan Davis. The Huskers, a respectable 11 point loser in College Station to open Big 12 play, will need another defensive game like they displayed on Wednesday, holding Mizzou to hitting only 1 of every 3 shots the Tigers took. If this happens, I may need to ask people for recommendations on selecting a religion that pays the quickest dividends.

No. 2 Kansas State vs. No. 7 Oklahoma St - Big 12 Network 6:00 p.m. CST

The Cowboys finally let me peel my hands from my face, which were cemented in a "Home Alone" pose for the first two games. Sure the Red Raiders victory was just a 9 over an 8, but it was an upset none-the-less. The other one before the Cowboys? Well, let's not talk about that one. But finally the stars aligned and all seemed right again in the universe after Ok State dismantled their intra-state rivals, the Oklahoma Sooners. Now they face a tough K-State team, poised to rebound after an end-of-the-season loss to Iowa St. And rebound they will. Behind the guard play of Jacob Pullen and Denis Clemente and inside play of Jamar Samuels, the Wildcats will be able to fend off a James Anderson onslaught well enough to prolong the short drive back to Manhattan at least one more day.

No. 3 Baylor vs. No. 6 Texas - ESPN2 8:30 p.m. CST

The final game of the night provides a good match-up. The former #1 team in the nation vs the team a lot of folks think can win the whole tournament. Texas looked good in beating 11-seed Iowa State, led by Damion James' 28 pt, 16 reb performance. James might not get the looks he got at the basket in this one though. Baylor's Ekpe Udoh, who a lot of folks feel is the best defender in the league, will make it harder for James and Co. to score as easily as they did vs the Clones on Wed night. Texas' lack of a PG will allow Baylor's Tweety Carter to run his style, freeing up the likes of LaceDarius Dunn for good looks at the basket. All told, Baylor will come out with this victory and continue their march to a second straight championship game.

Tweet of the Day: Fox Sports columnist Jeff Goodman

2010-03-11T14:12:11Z

Tweet of the Day: Fox Sports columnist Jeff Goodman

Iowa State found out Gilstrap was denied his appeal for a 6th year yesterday - according to source - and he will have to go pro.

via @goodmanonfox

Big 12 Tourney 1st Round Recap... Scores, Recaps and Players of the Games

2010-03-11T04:59:14Z

More photos » Reed Hoffmann - AP

3 days ago: Nebraska center Jorge Brian Diaz (21) and Missouri guard Zaire Taylor (11) battle as the ball goes out-of-bounds during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Big 12 Conference tournament Wednesday, March 10, 2010, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)

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I'm not going to lie, I have been investigating get rich quick schemes and also been looking into day trading after Nebraska toppled Mizzou Wednesday afternoon. Three more victories and I owe all commenters $100 each... If anyone knows of a way to quickly round up several thousand dollars, I am all ears. If need be, we can deal legality of the proposal after the fact.

So it is with shaking hands that I submit scores, recaps and players of the games for all of Wednesday's First Round Big 12 Tournament action. See all the info after The Jump.

Texas Tech (9 Seed) - 82
Colorado (8) - 67

John Roberson scored 19 points, Nick Okorie added 18 and Texas Tech overcame a sloppy start defensively to open the Big 12 tournament with an 82-67 victory over Colorado on Wednesday.

Texas Tech (17-14) has been plagued by shoddy defense since reaching No. 16 in the polls midway through the season and started off that way against Colorado. The ninth-seeded Red Raiders pulled it together during a big first-half run and held on to end a seven-game losing streak.

Texas Tech assured itself of a winning record to bolster its NIT chances and keep alive its slim NCAA hopes. The Red Raiders move on to face top-ranked Kansas in the quarterfinals Thursday.

Colorado (15-16) beat Texas Tech to end the regular season on a three-game winning streak but became uncharacteristically careless with the ball in the rematch, turning it over 19 times.

Full Recap
Player of the Game: Alec Burks, Colorado, 24 pts, 10 reb
Up Next: Kansas vs Texas Tech

Nebraska (12) - 75
Missouri (5) - 60

Brandon Richardson scored 19 points and No. 12 seed Nebraska took command with an early 16-1 run and shocked No. 5 seed Missouri 75-60 Wednesday in an opening-round upset at the Big 12 tournament.

The underdog Cornhuskers (15-17), who had won just two of 16 Big 12 regular-season games, outrebounded, outshot and outhustled the team that had easily beaten them twice this year.

After Kim English pulled the Tigers (22-10) to 61-51 with a pair of free throws with 4:01 to play, Richardson canned a long 3-pointer, drew a foul from Zaire Taylor and made the free throw for a four-point play that clinched it.

Ryan Anderson had 16 points for Nebraska and Jorge Brian Diaz had 10, including several easy buckets as the Huskers consistently beat Missouri's pressure defense.

Laurence Bowers had 11 points for Missouri, the defending Big 12 tournament champion.

Full Recap
Player of the Game: Brandon Richardson, Nebraska, 19 pts, 7 reb, 3 assists
Up Next: Texas A&M vs Nebraska

Oklahoma St (7) - 81
Oklahoma (10) - 67

Keiton Page scored 19 of his 24 points in a dominating first half, and Oklahoma State withstood a brief rally in the season's third Bedlam game to beat Oklahoma 81-67 on Wednesday night in the opening round of the Big 12 tournament.

Oklahoma State (22-9) raced to an 18-point lead in the first six minutes, then allowed Oklahoma to creep back in it with a shaky start to the second half.

Obi Muonelo kept the Sooners from completing the comeback, scoring 10 of his 15 points after the rally to send the seventh-seeded Cowboys into Thursday's quarterfinals against ninth-ranked Kansas State, the No. 2 seed.

Oklahoma (13-18), seeded 10th, played without leading scorer Willie Warren (ankle) and will miss the postseason a year after reaching the NCAA regional finals.

Full Recap
Player of the Game: Keiton Page, Oklahoma St, 24 pts, 3 assists, 4 steals
Up Next: Kansas St. vs Oklahoma St

Texas (6) - 82
Iowa State (11) - 75

Damion James had 28 points and 16 rebounds, and Texas pulled away from plucky Iowa State on Wednesday night, beating the Cyclones 82-75 in a hard-fought Big 12 opening-round game.
James had three points, three rebounds and an assist during an 11-0 run that turned a one-point lead into a 12-point spread. The sixth-seeded Longhorns (24-8) play third-seeded and No. 21 Baylor, a team that beat them twice during the regular season, in the quarterfinals.

After Iowa State (15-17), the No. 11 seed, cut the lead to six points at 75-69, Jai Lucas hit a free throw for Texas and missed the second attempt. James grabbed the rebound, and Avery Bradley sank a pair of foul shots to put the Longhorns on top 78-69.

Gary Johnson had 15 points and 10 rebounds for Texas.

Marquis Gilstrap scored 17 points for the Cyclones, and Craig Brackins added 15.

Full Recap
Player of the Game: Damion James, Texas, 28 pts, 16 reb
Up Next: Baylor vs Texas

Previewing Wednesday's Big 12 Conference Tournament - Predictions and Commentary

2010-03-10T15:30:19Z

Sue Ogrocki - AP

28 days ago: Oklahoma State guard James Anderson, (23) dunks in front of Oklahoma forward Ryan Wright (1) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010. (AP Photo)

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The first day of the Big 12 Tournament! Exciting times for everyone. From top seeded Kansas to 12^th seeded Nebraska, everyone's NCAA tournament hopes start here.

No. 8 Colorado vs. No. 9 Texas Tech - Big 12 Network 11:30 a.m.
Colorado is playing its best basketball of the year and just defeated Texas Tech in a high scoring affair in Boulder. While I don't see the Buffs breaking the 100-point barrier in this one, the tandem of Alec Burks and Cory Higgins will again be too much for the Red Raiders to handle. CU will take this one and face top seeded Kansas on Thursday.

No. 5 Missouri vs. No. 12 Nebraska - Big 12 Network 2:00 p.m.
Mizzou loses when its shots don't fall and their opponent capitalizes on long, sustained scoring droughts. I cannot tell you if Mizzou's shots will be dropping in this one, but what I can tell you is Nebraska isn't talented enough to capitalize if they don't. Mizzou wins and will face A&M on Thursday.

No. 7 Oklahoma State vs. No. 10 Oklahoma - Big 12 Network 6:00 p.m.
Two words: James Anderson. The third meeting between these bitter rivals will be one that Sooner fans will try and erase quickly out of their minds. Anderson has my vote as league MVP and will put on a show, both because it is against the cross-state enemy but more importantly because he can.

No. 6 Texas vs. No. 11 Iowa State - Big 12 Network 8:30 p.m.
The intriguing match-up of the night rounds out the day. You look at these teams on paper and think that ISU finished 11^th in conference and won only 4 conference games. Also in the back of your noggin you remember that UT was once ranked #1 in the country. Well, you can forget everything you know. ISU is coming off a huge victory in Manhattan, KS over 5^th ranked Kansas State. Texas is struggling and has lost 8 of its last 14, and lost starting PG Dogus Balbay for the season. The interior play of Dexter Pittman will be limited because of the energy he must exude to guard Clone big men Craig Brackins and Marquis Gilstrap. In every other preview I've written I always say something like "ISU is good, but will come up a wee bit short in this one." Well, I'm changing my tune here, as a good ISU team will have enough to sneak out an upset victory.

Evan Pfaff, Managing Editor
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Tweet of the Day: Big 12 Conference

2010-03-10T14:32:53Z

Tweet of the Day: Big 12 Conference

Big12Video: Here are 2 roundtable discussions http://bit.ly/dlMYtb and http://bit.ly/cGFKld about the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Championship.

via @Big12Conference

Big 12 Tournament Previews - Why Each Team Can Win It... and Why They Can't

2010-03-09T15:00:43Z

More photos » Orlin Wagner - AP

Baylor's Ekpe Udoh and Kansas' Xavier Henry might tangle again in the Big 12 tournament championship game

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Want to know why each Big 12 team will win the tournament? Or why each will lose it?

After The Jump, we breakdown all league teams, from the top seeded Kansas Jayhawks to the bottom dwelling Nebraska Cornhuskers, and explain, in detail, why you can see the nets being cut down by any of the 12 conference teams (well, truthfully 11 have a legit shot)

1 Seed - Kansas Jayhawks

Why They Can Win It: The winning formula in March is to either have solid backcourt play or a solid frontcourt. Kansas has both. Sherron Collins and Xavier Henry run the backcourt while Cole Aldrich, Marcus and Markieff Morris anchor the frontcourt. Kansas is not just the best team in the conference; they are on the short list of best teams in the nation. Simply stated, they are stacked. Head to toe. If offenses can get past Collins and Henry, Aldrich's presence alters shots, even if he doesn't get a hand on the ball. They are an intimidating force and should cut down the nets on Saturday night.

Why They Won't Win It: They did lose a conference game this season, showing that they aren't completely unbeatable. Granted it did take Oklahoma St shooting 60% from the floor and 53% from behind the arch to topple the giant, but there is proof they can be beat. I guess the take away is that if you do want to beat KU, your best bet is to not miss a shot.

2 Seed - Kansas State Wildcats

Why They Can Win It: As stated above, the "winning formula in March is to either have solid frontcourt play or a solid frontcourt." While K-State has a decent backcourt, it will be the guard play of Denis Clemente and Jacob Pullen who guide them to victory. Setting aside a 17-point loss at Kansas, their other 4 loses were by a combined 16 pts. Pullen and Clemente keep them in games and give them a puncher's chance to win any game they play. They are talented enough and have the coaching to win any game they play. A potential 1v2 championship game in Kansas City between in-state rivals KU and K-State will be an exciting match-up to watch.

Why They Won't Win It: The Wildcats lost Saturday to 11-seed Iowa State. At Home. That game came down to Iowa State big men getting the job done (the Clone starting frontline combined for 42 of the team's 85 pts). The decent frontcourt didn't get it done, and if they play a team with size their guard play gets nullified.

3 Seed - Baylor Bears

Why They Can Win It: Baylor has the magical frontcourt and backcourt sealed down. Ekpe Udoh is a dominate force down low. LaceDarius Dunn is a 6-4 guard who can launch a three or bang down low. Then there is Tweety Carter, the ultimate playmaker. They have all the components to win. Their RPI is 8^th in the country, so you know they have the talent. They keep games close and give their scorers opportunities to make plays and are in midstride at the right time, winning 7 of their last 8 heading into the conference tourney.

Why They Won't Win It: The only good reason that Baylor can't win it all is because they might face Kansas in the finals. There isn't really any other team that, on paper, is superior to the Bears. They are as good as the other top tier teams and can beat any of them on any given night. Conversely, they miss a couple shots and can be taken out by the other top seeds.

4 Seed - Texas A&M Aggies

Why They Can Win It: I admit that I still don't quite understand A&M. Donald Sloan and Bryan Davis are great players, but when Derrick Roland broke his leg in a gruesome incident in late December, I essentially wrote them off. Granted Roland wasn't necessarily the best player on the team, but he certainly was an important cog. Every time I watch them, I try and figure out how they win... and every time they amaze me that they do, on the shoulders of Sloan and Davis. So if those two can get and remain hot, A&M could be a buzz saw this week.

Why They Won't Win It: A&M was 11^th in conference in points per game with 72. Of those, 28 each night came from Sloan and Davis. If a team can limit the duo's touches, or get them to miss shots, A&M won't win.

5 Seed - Missouri Tigers

Why They Can Win It: ~~40 Minutes of He~~, errr, The Fastest 40 Minutes in Basketball is a fun brand of hoops to watch. Turnovers, steals, guys seemingly all over the place. Fun. When it works. And when it works there aren't many teams that can play into the frenetic style, especially given a day to prepare.

Why They Won't Win It: Setting up the full court press relies on the Tigers making shots and there are often long, long stretches where they can't hit the broad side of the barn. If the Tigers' shots aren't dropping they cant set up their press and teams seem to be able to pick apart the sometimes porous half court D.

6 Seed - Texas Longhorns

Why They Can Win It: If this isn't the top question on any basketball insider's mind, then they haven't been paying attention. Texas is simply stacked with playmakers at every position. Their guard play, specifically the point guard position, is suspect but they have the talent to overcome the deficiency. Dexter Pittman. Damion James. Avery Bradley. All good players who individually could lead a team to victory, but collectively should.

Why They Won't Win It: OK, so maybe this is the top question on the mind of any basketball insider. Why, with all their talent, has Texas dropped 8 of their last 14? Well, one reason is certainly free team throw shooting, where the Longhorns are last in the conference with, making an unbelievably low 63% of their freebies. Horns coach Rick Barnes has taken responsibility for the rapid decline in the former #1 team in the country, but unless he uses a juiced up form of Fix-A-Flat, the Horns will make an early exit.

7 Seed - Oklahoma St. Cowboys

Why They Can Win It: James Anderson is the best player it the conference. Period. No debate. He is a game changer and there isn't a defense in the conference that can contain him. The Cowboys have also proven to be giant killers, handing KU their lone conference blemish. As long as they can hit their shots, which they did in sinking 60% of them in the W over Kansas, Ok State can beat anyone.

Why They Won't Win It: Anderson is unstoppable... but the Pokes domination ends there. If teams settle on giving Anderson his 25 pts and concentrate on stopping the other Cowboys, Oklahoma St could be in for a world of hurt.

8 Seed - Colorado Buffaloes

Why They Can Win It: The Buffaloes are one of the hottest teams in conference right now and are clicking at the right moment to cause damage in the conference tourney. They beat their first round opponent last Saturday in Boulder by scoring 101 pts and tiring them out in the thin Boulder air. Cory Higgins, Alec Burks and Marcus Relphorde are probably the 3-man combo that casual fans haven't heard of and their ability to carry a team (72 combined pts in the victory over Texas Tech) have already taken the Buffs further than the preseason polls suggested.

Why They Won't Win It: While they are peaking at the right time, their current three game win streak has come at the hands of the 9, 11 and 12 seeds in conference. Also, of their 6 conference wins, 5 came in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains and the altitude that accompanies it. Prior to a victory over Nebraska last Tuesday, CU had gone 36-games (4 years) without winning a conference game on the road, and the conference tournament is not in Boulder.

9 Seed - Texas Tech Red Raiders

Why They Can Win It: Texas Tech has playmakers. Mike Singletary and John Roberson each average over 14 ppg... and who can forget Singletary's epic 43 pt outburst in last year's Big 12 tournament? If those guys get hot and guard Nick Okorie can hit his shots, then the Red Raiders have a chance of upsetting a few teams.

Why They Won't Win It: 7-game win streaks are good! 7-game losing streak... quite the opposite. Coming into Wednesday, the Red Raiders have dropped 7 straight and the ship just isn't right for Pat Knight's squad. Of their 4 conference victories, 2 have come off Oklahoma, and the way the brackets are lined up, they wouldn't face the Sooners until the championship game.

10 Seed - Oklahoma Sooners

Why They Can Win It: Tommy Mason-Griffin is a superstar in the waiting and has learned a lot in his freshman year playing in the guard-heavy Big 12.

Why They Won't Win It: Their incumbent superstar Willie Warren never lived up to his preseason hype and is now on the shelf for the season. Heralded freshman Tiny Gallon looks like he never got into perfect playing shape. They bring an 8-game losing streak into the tourney and face their in-state rivals, who are still vying for an NCAA berth in the first round.

11 Seed - Iowa St. Cyclones

Why They Can Win It: The Clones are coming off a big win in Manhattan, a game which showcased how good this team can be. In all my previews, I kept referring to the fact that Iowa State was good enough to win, but will come up a tad short. Well, if they can click like they did in one of the most hostile environments in the conference this season, they can take down some of the big boys. Craig Brackins and Marquis Gilstrap form a tremendous frontline, and both should be playing at the next level when their college careers are finished.

Why They Won't Win It: For all the talent they have, they won 4 conference games, 2 of which were vs low man Nebraska and one was vs Colorado before the Buffs learned to win. Outside of Brackins and Gilstrap they are really, really lean. Lean to the point that their third leading scorer left Ames midseason to return to his native land to play pro ball. Teams can often force Gilstrap and Brackins into taking bad shots, and when that pair isn't scoring, it is night-night time for the clones.

12 Seed - Nebraska Cornhuskers

Why They Can Win It: I'm not going to sugar coat it, the Huskers won't be cutting down the nets this year. In fact, I will pay each commenter to this thread $100 if the Huskers win the tournament.

Why They Won't Win It: In 9 of the Huskers 16 conference games they scored 60 pts or less. In order to win with such an anemic offense, one would need to play exceptional defense. Out of those same 16 conference games, opponents scored 70+ 12 times. Simple math tells you that they aren't playing the defense needed to beat teams.

Evan Pfaff, Managing Editor
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Tweet of the Day: Big 12 Conference

2010-03-09T14:12:07Z

Tweet of the Day: Big 12 Conference

Wrapping up the prep day at Sprint Center in KC - Check Facebook for our behind the scenes album! http://tweetphoto.com/13754902

via @Big12Conference

Survivor Big XII: CHAMPIONSHIP Edition!!!

2010-03-08T19:00:22Z

Survivor Big XII is the weekly quest to see who really is the top team in the Big XII.

Well folks, I feel like it's Senior Night here at Big 12 Hoops as the entire season has been building to this point, and after Wednesday... well, our favorite in-blog contest will be gone.

But before I start weeping at the mic, we need to PICK A CHAMPION!

This week, since we only have two teams remaining, we're gonna shake it up a little. Instead of kicking someone off Big 12 Island, we're gonna vote for who SHOULD REMAIN ON THE ISLAND and be crowned champ.

So weigh your votes carefully, and cherish hitting the submit button, since you won't be able cast your vote again for many moons.

AND REMEMBER WE ARE VOTING FOR WHO STAYS ON THE ISLAND!

Who has been kicked off?

January 13 - Oklahoma, after loss at Baylor 91-60
January 20 - Nebraska, after two home losses to Kansas and Iowa St.
January 27 - Iowa St. after loses to Texas Tech and Kansas
February 3 - Texas Tech after losses to Texas and Texas A&M
February 10 - Oklahoma St and Colorado
February 17 - Texas after a loss to Kansas and victory over Nebraska
February 24 - Baylor after a win vs Texas Tech and a loss at Oklahoma St.
March 3 - Missouri AND Kansas

Evan Pfaff, Managing Editor
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Poll

Who should REMAIN ON Big 12 Island?

Kansas State - L @ (2) Kansas 82-65, L vs Iowa St 85-82 OT

205 votes

Texas A&M - W vs Oklahoma St 76-61, W @ Oklahoma 69-54

289 votes

494 votes | Poll has closed

Big 12 Hoops All Big 12 Team

2010-03-08T15:32:33Z

Sue Ogrocki - AP

Your Big 12 Player of the Year, James Anderson

View full size photo »

Unlike the official team, I tried to stay within position boundaries to form the Big 12 Hoops All Big 12 Team.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: James Anderson, Oklahoma St
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: Alec Burks, Colorado
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Ekpe Udoh, Baylor
COACH OF THE YEAR: Frank Martin, Kansas St.

FIRST TEAM
G - Anderson
G - Sherron Collins - Kansas
F - Damion James, Texas
F - Craig Brackins, Iowa St
F - Udoh

SECOND TEAM
G - Jacob Pullen, Kansas St
G - Donald Sloan, Texas A&M
F - Marquis Gilstrap, Iowa St
F - LaceDarius Dunn, Baylor
F - Cole Aldrich, Kansas

THIRD TEAM
G - Cory Higgins, Colorado
G - Tweey Carter, Baylor
F - Mike Singletary, Texas Tech
F - Marcus Morris, Kansas
F - Bryan Davis, Texas A&M

HONORABLE MENTION
Ryan Anderson, Nebraska
Burks
Kim English, Missouri
Tommy Mason-Griffin, Oklahoma
John Roberson, Texas Tech
Denis Clemente, Kansas St

Tweet of the Day: Baylor coach Scott Drew

2010-03-08T14:19:57Z

Tweet of the Day: Baylor coach Scott Drew

Baylor finishes tied for 2nd in the Big 12 and 24 wins is the 2nd most in school history!!! Hope to see everyone @ in KC!

via @BUDREW

Big 12 Final Weekend Recap... Scores, Recaps and Players of the Games

2010-03-07T14:00:22Z

Orlin Wagner - AP

7 days ago: Kansas State forward Dominique Sutton , left, and Iowa State forward Marquis Gilstrap, right, dive after the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, March 6, 2010, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

View full size photo »

With the amount of lopsided games that the Big 12 saw on Saturday, the weekend will be remembered for the lone close one, as K-State got upset at home in overtime by Iowa State.

With the other 5 games averaging a nearly 16 point margin of victory, the last game of the night, at Bramlage Coliseum is what is on the minds of Big 12 basketball fans.

In the end, the game didn't mean anything as Kansas State wound up with the 2 seed they were hoping for and Iowa State remained slotted in the 11 slot. However, it now puts a new wrinkle on this week's conference tournament.

Can Iowa St now upend Texas? Is K-State vulnerable to the Oklahoma Stat-Oklahoma winner?

Lots of questions to be answered starting Wednesday in Kansas City.

Tournament predictions are forthcoming later in the week, so until then after The Jump you'll find the scores, recaps and players of the games for all 6 of Saturday's Big 12 pairings.

Oklahoma St - 74
Nebraska - 55
at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, OK

James Anderson scored 25 points in what likely was his last game at Gallagher-Iba Arena, and Oklahoma State closed the regular season by beating Nebraska 74-55 on Saturday.
Oklahoma State (21-9, 9-7 Big 12) clinched a winning record in conference play and likely also sealed a berth in the NCAA tournament. The Cowboys will be the seventh seed in the Big 12 tournament in Kansas City, Mo., and will play Oklahoma in the first round.

Brandon Richardson scored 16 points for the Cornhuskers (14-17, 2-14), who have lost 14 of their last 16 games and finished last in the Big 12.

Anderson went 9 of 15 from the field. Nebraska had no answer for the 6-foot-6 junior guard nicknamed "Big Game James" for his penchant to come through when the Cowboys need him most. He left the game with 2:14 left to a standing ovation.

Full Recap
Player of the Game: James Anderson, Oklahoma St, 21 Pts, 3 Reb, 3 Ast, 3 Stl, 1 Blk

(23) Texas A&M - 69
Oklahoma - 54
at Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, OK

No. 23 Texas A&M wrapped up a rare win at Oklahoma with exactly what the Sooners have been missing during an extended losing streak: Defense.
Khris Middleton scored 15 points, Bryan Davis added 13 points and 10 rebounds and the Aggies held Oklahoma to its lowest second-half scoring total of the season in a 69-54 victory Saturday.

"The reason that we're so successful is that these guys bring an unbelievable amount of toughness to the program," coach Mark Turgeon said. "A lot of the games that we've won over the last four years with these guys have been because of toughness."

The Aggies (22-8, 11-5 Big 12) held Oklahoma to only 22 points on 24 percent shooting in the second half. Over the final 28 minutes, Texas A&M -- which leads the Big 12 in scoring defense during conference play -- held a 55-31 scoring edge.

"I thought defensively we were as good as we've been," said Turgeon, who moved to 71-29 through 100 games at A&M.

Full Recap
Player of the Game: Bryan Davis, Texas A&M, 13 pts, 10 reb

(2) Kansas - 77
Missouri - 56
at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, MO

Marcus Morris shook off a scary collision with a scorer's table to notch double-double and No. 2 Kansas used two big runs in each half to beat Missouri 77-56 on Saturday.
Kansas (29-2, 15-1 Big 12) led by 16 after a 20-4 run in the first half, then put together another 20-4 spurt after Morris' injury to beat its biggest rival for the eighth time in nine games.

The Jayhawks shot 52 percent after a shaky start and will head into next week's Big 12 tournament as the No. 1 seed and one victory from joining Kentucky and North Carolina in the 2,000-win club.

Missouri (22-9, 10-6) struggled with Kansas' depth and size inside for the second time this season, giving up 42 points in the paint and 17 more rebounds in its final home game. Kim English had 16 points led the Tigers, who were 3 of 22 from 3-point range.

Full Recap
Player of the Game: Marcus Morris, Kansas, 12 pts, 10 reb

Colorado - 101
Texas Tech - 90
at Coors Events Center in Boulder, CO

Cory Higgins scored 30 points, Alec Burks added 24 and Colorado beat Texas Tech 101-90 on Saturday in the Big 12 regular season final for both teams.
Nick Okorie scored a career-high 34 points and Mike Singletary had 21 for Texas Tech, which has lost seven straight.

The win was Colorado's third straight and clinched the No. 8 seed in the Big 12 Tournament, where it will face No. 9 Texas Tech again on Wednesday. It marked Colorado's first three-game conference winning streak in seven years.

The Buffaloes (15-15, 6-10) used a 17-2 run early in the first half to blow open a close game. Led by Marcus Relphorde's 15 points, Colorado shot 59 percent in the first 20 minutes and led 53-35 at the break.

The Red Raiders (16-14, 4-12) trailed by double digits until Okorie's 3-pointer made it 88-79. Texas Tech got within eight in the final minutes but didn't get any closer.

Full Recap
Player of the Game: Cory Higgins, Colorado 30 pts on 9-10 shooting from the field

(21) Baylor - 92
Texas - 77
at Ferrell Center in Waco, TX

LaceDarius Dunn scored 30 points, Quincy Acy had 10 dunks among his 24 points and No. 21 Baylor wrapped up its winningest regular season in 64 years with a 92-77 victory over Texas on Saturday.
The win assured the Bears (24-6, 11-5) a first-round bye in the Big 12 tournament.

Tweety Carter, one of two seniors playing his last home game for Baylor, had 16 points and 10 assists. His reverse layup with just under 6 minutes left in the first half broke a tie, igniting a 12-4 half-ending run that put the Bears ahead to stay.

Gary Johnson had 25 points for the Longhorns (23-8, 9-7), who have lost eight of their 14 games after a 17-0 start made them the No. 1 team in the country on Jan. 11.

Seven weeks later, the Longhorns are unranked and headed into the 12-team league tournament as the No. 6 seed after being swept in the regular season by Baylor for the first time since 1998.

Full Recap
Player of the Game: LaceDarius Dunn, Baylor, 30 pts 6 reb

Iowa St - 85
(5) Kansas St - 82
at Fred Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, KS

Diante Garrett scored five points in overtime and Iowa State stunned No. 5 Kansas State 85-82 on Saturday, snapping a 21-game losing streak to ranked teams.
The Cyclones (15-16, 4-12 Big 12) hadn't won in Manhattan since 2001 and were just 7-104 in their last 111 games against ranked teams on the road before coming in Saturday as 15-point underdogs.

Kansas State (24-6, 11-4), the No. 2 seed in next week's Big 12 tournament, shot a miserable 34 percent for the game but still managed to forge a 74-all tie and send the game into overtime when Denis Clemente hit his second 3-pointer in 12 attempts with a little more than a minute left.

Craig Brackins had 19 points before fouling out for Iowa State, which had lost seven of nine. Scott Christopherson had 18 points and Marquis Gilstrap 13.

Full Recap
Player of the Game: Craig Brackins, Iowa St, 19 pts, 12 reb 2 assists

Schedule Set For 2010 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Championship

2010-03-07T01:52:19Z

Schedule Set For 2010 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Championship

2010 PHILLIPS 66 BIG 12 MEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Kansas City, Missouri (Sprint Center)

Wednesday, March 10 TV Time (CT)
No. 8 Colorado vs. No. 9 Texas Tech - Big 12 Network 11:30 a.m.
No. 5 Missouri vs. No. 12 Nebraska - Big 12 Network 2:00 p.m.
No. 7 Oklahoma State vs. No. 10 Oklahoma - Big 12 Network 6:00 p.m.
No. 6 Texas vs. No. 11 Iowa State - Big 12 Network 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 11
No. 1 Kansas vs. CU/TTU winner - ESPN2 11:30 a.m.
No. 4 Texas A&M vs. MU/NU winner - Big 12 Network 2:00 p.m.
No. 2 Kansas State vs. OU/OSU winner - Big 12 Network 6:00 p.m.
No. 3 Baylor vs. ISU/UT winner - ESPN2 8:30 p.m.

Friday, March 12
Thursday Afternoon Winners - Big 12 Network 6:00 p.m.
Thursday Evening Winners - Big 12 Network 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 13
Semifinal Winners - ESPN 5:00 p.m.

via big12sports.com

Previewing the Last Weekend in Big 12 Basketball - Predictions and Commentary

2010-03-05T23:10:39Z

More photos » Mark J. Terrill - AP

Missouri's Zaire Taylor, left, and J.T. Tiller will bid adieu to Mizzou Arena on Senior Day.

Browse more photos »

(23) Texas A&M at Oklahoma - 11am CST
When Tony Croker walks across the Lloyd Noble Center floor to hug his parents during Senior Day activities he will try and figure out how this wild ride ended where it did. Last year they had the player of the year and rookie of the year in conference. He knew losing the player of the year would hurt, but they still had the sharpshooting ability of Willie Warren to guide them to the promised land, right? Wrong. To say that Crocker's senior season has been a disappointment is like asking if the Pope is Catholic. Now it isn't Croker's fault, as his 12 ppg and 7 rpg show. But neither he nor his teammates will be able to help them on Saturday morning and A&M rolls past the Sooners.

Nebraska at Oklahoma St - 12:30pm CST
Nebraska needs to keep teams under 60 points in order to have a shot at winning. There is a possibility James Anderson might score 60 himself in this one in what is likely his final game at historic Gallagher-Iba Arena. An exaggeration? Maybe. But the point is that the Cowboys will run away with this one.

(2) Kansas at Missouri - 1pm CST
When Zaire Taylor is introduced during Senior Day ceremonies, Mizzou PA announcer Randy Wright will undoubtedly refer to his nickname, "Mr. Big Shot." The nickname came about midseason last year when Taylor beat both Texas and Kansas during a 5-day stretch last February with last second shots. Taylor duplicated the feat again last Wednesday in Ames, IA. Well, this time around it's gonna take a lot more than a last second shot to catapult the Tigers. Kansas is deeper, stronger and better at playing the game of basketball than Mizzou. Their guard play will allow them to break the press, just as they did during a 19-pt victory in Lawrence earlier this year, and Cole Aldrich just owned the lane in the first match-up. I think the home cooking will keep the game closer than the outcome at Phog Allen, but at the end of the day the West side of Kansas City will be happier than the East side.

Texas at (21) Baylor - 3pm CST
What to think about Texas? One one hand you think they have the potential to win it all. On the other they haven't ever shown us anything to prove that. On senior day in Waco, Tweety Carter, the ultimate teammate, will guide his teammates to a hard fought victory over the cross-state rivals.

Texas Tech at Colorado - 2pm MST
OK, I think I have this right. Tech wins and they are the 8 seed in the conference tourney and would face the 9 seed... CU. If CU wins, and Oklahoma loses, then the seedings are reversed, but they still play each other in the first round. By the time they tip, the Sooner game will be over and a loss by OU and this game really doesn't have much baring on anything... except for that pesky fact that the teams will play again against each other on Wednesday. Keep this scenario in mind, as CU will win in Boulder, and take a three game win streak into the tourney.

Iowa State at (5) Kansas State - 5pm CST
If K-State wins they are the 2 seed in conference. Actually, I should say "When K-State wins they will be the 2 seed in conference." I keep saying how good of a team ISU has, but in Manhattan, on Senior Day for Denis Clemente (amongst others) they will again come up a tad short.

Extra! Extra! Friday Afternoon Link Dump - March 5... and the Greatest. Music Video. EVER!

2010-03-05T19:00:29Z

The goal of the Friday Afternoon Link Dump is to help you ease into the weekend by giving you things to occupy your time at work until the clock strikes 5pm.

To accomplish that we dive into the top stories from each of the Big 12 school's local papers. We also add a few non-Big 12 links and a YouTube clip for the hell of it.

All the links available after The Jump

Big 12 North

Colorado Boulder Daily Camera - Higgins not leaving CU Buffs early

Kansas Lawrence Journal World - Don’t bet against Kansas

Kansas St Manhattan Mercury - Hard to swallow

Iowa St GoCyclones.com - Gilstrap still growing as a player

Missouri Columbia Missourian - Bowers struggles with new role for Missouri men's basketball

Nebraska Lincoln Journal Star - Newest member of NU recruiting class expects to win

Big 12 South

Baylor Waco Tribune- Brice Cherry: Punch shouldn't mean lifetime stigma for Griner (Lady Bears)

Oklahoma Tulsa World- Eddie Sutton says son 'strong'

Oklahoma St Tulsa World - Upset would help OSU's NCAA hopes

Texas Austin American-Statesman - UT's Hamilton, happy to let shots fly, shows some growth

Texas A&M AggieSports.com - Robert Cessna: Gillispie to ISU or UH?

Texas Tech RedRaiders.com - Wacko for Darko: Cohadarevic gaining his own fan base

Non Big 12 Links

SB Nation - Complete NFL Draft coverage [NFL]

SB Nation - Complete Spring Training coverage [MLB]

The Sporting Blog - Grand Theft Tebow [NCAAF/NFL?] Funny story, good read.

... and finally, just watch this video... then watch it again... then go out and find your old Mouse Trap board game, dust it off and get playing!

Evan Pfaff, Managing Editor
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SB Nation's College Basketball Power 16 - How I Voted

2010-03-05T15:00:39Z

More photos » Bill Kostroun - AP

Wes Johnson helps Syracuse land the #1 spot in my Power 16.

Browse more photos »

I am honored to be a voting member of the SB Nation College Basketball Power 16 hosted each week by Searching for Billy Edelin. Each Thursday morning college basketball bloggers throughout SB Nation weigh in on their weekly top 16.

As I said when I submitted my Power 16, "There is disarray at the top of the polls, everyone is losing. There is no clear cut #1... and to quote Lieutenant Frank Drebin 'I LOVE IT!'"

(I wasn't able to submit my Power 16 last year, so I'm not going to note the normal increase and decrease in ranking... especially after the Topsy-turvey two weeks we've had. Just note that a drunk monkey might have been able to pick the Power 16 with as much accuracy as I did this week.)

Before the breakdown by conference, note that the new basketball powerhouse is... the Big 10? And that the MWC is deeper than the ACC?
Big 10 - 4
Big East - 3
SEC - 3
Big 12 - 2
MWC - 2
ACC - 1
Horizon - 1

See how I voted after The Jump or go to the SB Nation College Basketball Power 16.

Syracuse
Kansas
Kentucky
Ohio St
K-State
Duke
New Mexico
Villanova
West Virginia
Purdue
Vandy
Michigan State
Tennessee
BYU
Wisconsin
Butler