LAWRENCE JOURNAL-WORLD BIG XII SPOTLIGHT 5B A weekly look inside the Big 12 Conference 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 basketball 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 Taurean Green 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 Raymond Felton as its in the second-toughest conference in the BETTER LUCK NEXT YEAR point guard. 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 Kevin Durant 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 assist 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 Ty Lawson (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): Milt Newton 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, Danny Manning 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- Scooter Barry 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 Dallas 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 Georgia Tech 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 Mark Turgeon. 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 Kevin Pritchard, 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.