LAWRENCE JOURNAL-WORLD BIG XII SPOTLIGHT 5B A weekly look inside the Wednesday, March 12, 2008 Bubble trouble?

——— Which teams are in and which are out from the Big 12 Conference

By Eric Sorrentino Journal-World Copy Editor BIG 12 HISTORY

ONLINE: To read this week’s Big 12 Conference Here’s a list of how many teams the Big 12 notebook, go to KUSports.com Conference has put in the tournament in its 11- year history: Big 12 Conference fans have two ways of looking at their teams’ chances 1996-97: 5 (CU, ISU, KU, OU, UT) of competing in the big dance, which begins 1997-98: 4 (KU, NU, OU, OSU) March 20. 1998-99: 5 (KU, MU, OSU, OU, UT) Situation No. 1: Glass half full. 1999-00: 6 (ISU, KU, MU, OU, OSU, UT) Optimistically, the Big 12 has a chance to 2000-01: 6 (ISU, KU, MU, OU, OSU, UT) land as many as six bids to the tournament. 2001-02: 6 (KU, MU, OU, OSU, UT, TTU) The conference hasn’t had six teams par- 2002-03: 6 (CU, KU, MU, OU, OSU, UT) ticipate since the 2004-2005 season. This 2003-04: 4 (OSU, KU, UT, TTU) year, however, five teams have conference 2004-05: 6 (ISU, KU, OU, OSU, UT, TTU) records above .500. Six teams also have won 2005-06: 4 (KU, OU, UT, A&M) at least 20 games. 2006-07: 4 (KU, UT, A&M, TTU) Another factor working in the confer- ence’s favor is the fact that the Big 12 is the second-ranked conference in the nation in Argument for: Baylor has the 34th- the RPI. Six Big 12 teams are in the Top 50 ranked RPI in the nation. Quality wins of the index. include Notre Dame, then-No. 16 Texas Then, there’s situation No. 2: Glass half A&M and then-No. 25 Kansas State. empty. Argument against: Is there a signature Pessimistically, the conference has only win on the schedule? If it’s Notre Dame, that had two consistent teams — Kansas and game took place Nov. 18. Texas. The other teams have failed to play Predicted seed: 10 well away from home. Selection Sunday is four days away. 6. Texas A&M (22-9, 8-8) Who’s in and who’s out from the Big 12? Quick hits: The departure of Acie Law IV Here’s a glimpse into the Journal-World’s has left the Aggies without a go-to scorer in crystal ball: the clutch. A&M’s record is a perfect indica- tor of its roller-coaster season. LOCKS The Big 12 tournament is arguably more 1. Kansas (28-3 overall, 13-3 Big 12) important for the Aggies’ NCAA Tourna- ment status than any other conference Quick hits: The Jayhawks are playing team. their best basketball at the proper time of Argument for: Texas A&M has a signa- year. Since losing to Oklahoma State, KU’s ture win against Texas. The Aggies started four wins have been by an average of 25 the season 20-4, and 22 (victories) is typi- points. That, of course, included the 58- cally a number the committee likes. point drubbing of Texas Tech. Argument against: The Aggies finished Why they could go far: Depth and the season 2-5. If A&M loses against Iowa experience. KU coach Bill Self has one of State in the first round of the Big 12 tourna- the deepest benches in the nation. Fur- ment, the committee could deem A&M too thermore, everyone who logs regular min- inconsistent for an NCAA ticket. utes, with the exception of Cole Aldrich, Predicted seed: 12 has played in the NCAA Tournament already. The chance of another Bucknell or Bradley episode is as likely as snow falling Karl Gehring/Journal-World Photo Illustration NIT-BOUND in Lawrence in July. 7. Oklahoma State (7-9, 16-14) Predicted seed: 2 Briefly: Cowboys are likely only team not SEMI-AUTOMATIC LOCKS 4. Oklahoma (21-10, 9-7) a lock or a bubble team that has an outside chance of winning Big 12 tournament. Obvi- 2. Texas (26-5, 13-3) 3. Kansas State (20-10, 10-6) Quick hits: The Sooners have won their ously, that’s their only shot. Quick hits: The co-Big 12 champions Quick hits: The Wildcats’ 44th-rated final three games to finish 9-7 in the Big 12. enter this weekend’s conference tourna- RPI is slightly unimpressive. In fact, Okla- Argument for: If the Top 25 relied sole- 8. Nebraska (18-11, 7-9) ment with a Big 12-best fifth-ranked RPI in homa (No. 25 in RPI) and Baylor (No. 34) ly upon RPI, OU (No. 25) would be ranked. Briefly: Huskers haven’t had 20-win sea- the nation. rank better in the index. The impressive schedule has included non- son since 1998-99. Why they could go far: D.J. Augustin. With that said, if Kansas State wins once conference games against then-No. 3 Mem- Championship-caliber teams typically in Kansas City, there’s no way it doesn’t phis, No. 24 USC, No. 20 Gonzaga, No. 23 9. Texas Tech (16-14, 7-9) have great point guards. Florida draped two make the NCAA’s. The Wildcats haven’t West Virginia. Briefly: Coach Pat Knight was realistic consecutive national title banners in made the NCAA Tournament since 1996. Argument against: OU is 2-6 against in saying he’d be content with NIT this year. Gainesville with as its floor Argument for: Surely, the nominating ranked teams this year. general. North Carolina won the year committee will consider 10 Big 12 victories Predicted seed: 8 before that with as its in the second-toughest conference in the BETTER LUCK NEXT YEAR . nation. Oklahoma may have a better RPI, 10. Missouri (16-15, 6-10) Augustin, averages 19.8 points and 5.7 but K-State won the head-to-head battle this BUBBLE TEAMS Very briefly: Too many off-the-court assists per game, and has UT playing at a season in Norman, Okla. 5. Baylor (21-9, 9-7) distractions to be competitive this season. higher level than when was Argument against: The only way the Quick hits: The Bears have won four of around last season. For some perspective, Wildcats miss the tournament is with a sec- their last five games. If Baylor defeats Col- 11. Iowa State (14-17, 4-12) Augustin’s point and numbers are ond-round loss in the conference tourna- orado, it would set up Baylor-Oklahoma, Very briefly: 14-6 at home, 1-10 on road. better than UCLA’s Darren Collison (14.6, ment and a bizarre scene, such as Texas Part III. OU defeated Baylor twice already, 4.1), Memphis’ Derrick Rose (14.1, 4.5) and A&M or Oklahoma State making a run for including once in overtime. 12. Colorado (11-19, 3-13) North Carolina’s (12.9, 5.5). the Big 12 tournament title. Baylor hasn’t participated in the NCAA Very briefly: Give CU coach Jeff Bzde- Predicted seed: 2 Predicted seed: 8 Tournament since 1988. lik time to recruit.

Self: Aggies deserve Big 12’s sixth bid Log onto KUSports.com all CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1B Postal Service to put the pic- Seward County of Kansas in a 12 has the second-rated RPI in season and stay tuned to our 1988 box score ture of ex-Jayhawk Wilt first-round NJCAA tourna- the country. How can you say “Memories of ’87-’88’” sec- Kansas State 69, Kansas 54 Beasley was tapped player Chamberlain on a commemo- ment game at 8:30 p.m., Tues- teams in leagues that are RPI tion, which will relive the KU 23 31 — 54 of the year and Drake’s Keno rative U.S. Postage Stamp. day, at Hutchinson Sports 5 or 6 that have teams with a Journal-World’s coverage of KSU 34 35 — 69 Kansas (21-11): 2-7 2-3 7, Chris Davis coach of the year. Rush Hunt points out a number Arena. Seward County defeat- .500 record are going to get in, the 1987-88 season 20 years Piper 2-3 0-0 4, 8-16 2-2 18, earned the all-district honor of sports figures have had ed Cowley County, 71-61, on and say .500 teams in our later. Hear from the J-W writ- 0-2 2-2 2, Jeff Gueldner 0-4 0-0 0, for the third straight season; stamps with their likenesses Tuesday in a Region Six title league don't deserve to get ers who were there every Clint Normore 1-4 0-0 2, Lincoln Minor 3-6 0-0 6, Keith harris 1-5 1-1 3, Mike Maddox 5-6 0-0 the other Jayhawks appearing including Jackie Robinson game. KU signee Little will in?” step of the way as KU 12, Mike Masucci 0-0 0-0 0, Team 22-53 7-8 54. on the list for the first time. (1982), Jesse Owens (1990), have to win four games in Chip Brown of the brought home its fourth Three-point goals: 3-13 (Maddox 2-2, Newton 1-4, Harris 0-1, Normore 0-2, Gueldner l Satchel Paige (2000) and Hutch to snare a national title. Morning News points out that national championship. 0-4). Assists: 12 (Normore 3, Harris 3, Barry 2, More all-league mention: Wilma Rudolph (2004). l a year ago, ACC teams Duke Piper, Manning, Gueldner, Minor). Turnovers: KU’s Rush and Chalmers have KU fans wishing to get Aggies are worthy: Bill Self and reached the 11 (Newton 2, Manning 2, Minor 2, Harris 2, March 12, 1988 Piper, Barry, Normore). Blocked shots: 2 been tapped first-team All- Chamberlain’s face on a is in the corner of Texas A&M NCAAs with 8-8 league (Normore, Harris). Steals: 4 (Manning 2, Barry, Harris). Big 12 by Rivals.com. Others: stamp can send a letter to the coach and former KU point marks, as did Michigan State The Mitch Richmond who Kansas State (22-7): Mitch Richmond 8-11 D.J. Augustin of Texas, following address: Citizens’ guard . of the Big Ten. Arkansas of the slayed the Jayhawks in the sea- 2-2 21, Charles Bledsoe 2-5 1-2 5, Ron Meyer 3- Beasley and Griffin. KU’s Stamp Advisory Committee, Self says Turgeon’s Aggies, Southeastern Conference son's first meeting between KU 4 0-1 6, Steve Henson 4-7 9-9 18, Will Scott 5- 11 4-4 17, Carlos Diggins 1-1 0-0 2, Fred McCoy Arthur made second team. ... c/o Stamp Development, U.S. 22-9 overall and 8-8 in the Big received a bid despite a 7-9 and K-State returned for the 0-0 0-0 0, Buster Glover 0-1 0-0 0, Mark The Austin American-States- Postal Service, 1735 North 12, deserve the Big 12’s sixth mark. rubber match, scoring 21 Dobbins 0-1 0-0 0, Team 23-41 16-18 69. Three-point goals: 7-13 (Richmond 3-5, man selected UT’s Augustin Lynn St., Suite 5013, Arlington, NCAA bid. Self has said KU, “When you look at some points in pacing KSU to a 69- Scott 3-5, Henson 1-3). Assists: 10 (Henson 4, Big 12 Player of the Year over VA 22209-6432. Texas, K-State, Baylor and other leagues, the teams that 54 semifinal win over KU in the Richmond 2, Scott 2, Meyer, Glover). Turnovers: 10 (Henson 4, McCoy 2, Richmond, Beasley. KU’s Arthur was “People should remember Oklahoma should be locks. are 9-7 and 8-8 are traditional Big Eight Tournament. Bledsoe, Meyer, Dobbins). Blocked shots: 1 selected first-team all-league, the great ones. They don’t “The reason they are .500 is powers. Our teams might not The Jayhawks' Milt Newton, (Richmond). Steals: 9 (Scott 3, Meyer 2, while Chalmers and Rush come any bigger or better because our league is good, have some of the same built- who scored a career-high 29 Richmond, Bledsoe, Henson, Dobbins). were second team. than Wilt Chamberlain,” not because they’re in credentials as some of points a night earlier, notched l Hunt wrote. mediocre,” Self said. “It’s hard those teams in other leagues, just seven. KU was also with- spraining his knee a night earli- Wilt deserves stamp: The l to win on the road, harder but it shouldn’t be used out the perimeter scoring er against Oklahoma State. Philadelphia Tribune’s Don- Chipola to meet Kansas than at any time since I’ve against them because, we’re punch of , who Despite the loss, the Jayhawks, ald Hunt recently penned a team: Mario Little’s Chipola been in the Big 12. Most peo- the conference with the No. 2 missed action for the first time at 21-11, had no reason to fear column calling for the U.S. (Fla.) College team will meet ple say RPI matters. The Big RPI,” Self said. in two years as a Jayhawk after being an NCAA tourney snub.