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5 AROUND THE BIG 12
Big 12 has highs, lows in the Big Dance
— Compiled by Corey Thibodeaux
The Big 12 started the NCAA tournament with seven teams in the field Kansas, Kansas State, Baylor, Texas A&M, Oklahoma State, Texas and Missouri. Oklahoma State and Texas lost in the first round and Kansas, Missouri and Texas A&M fell in the second round. Kansas State and Baylor played admirably, but each came one game short of the Final Four. After dominating nearly every team out of the league in the regular season,the Big 12 finished the NCAA tournament with a 9-7 record.
GAME OF THE TOURNEY Kansas State vs. Xavier Sweet 16, 101-96 (2 OT)
This could go down as the best game of the entire tournament. Kansas State and Xavier went at it for two overtimes and the Wildcats finally came out on top, 101-96. Trailing by three near the end of regulation, Terrell Holloway hoisted up a three, was fouled in the process and hit all free throws with five seconds on the clock, sending the game to overtime. The Musketeers
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once again found themselves down by three points near the end of the first overtime, but Jordan Crawford hit a long three-pointer to send the game into double overtime. Neither team was willing to quit, but Jacob Pullen willed his team to victory in 40 minutes of playtime. That instant classic might have prevented K-State from making the Final Four, losing To Butler just two days later.
Big 12 Players of the NCAA Tournament
Player of the Tournament Jacob Pullen, Kansas State guard
After the completion of the Eight Eight, Pullen had more points in the tournament than any other player with 91 in four games. Pullen had a career-high 34 points in the B4-72 win against Brigham Young despite crashing on his tailbone a couple times during the tournament. His toughness was just as impressive as his offense, and he almost helped lead Kansas State to the Final Four.
Newcomer of the Tournament Ekpe Udoh, Baylor forward
Ekpe Udoh, who was the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, continued his torrid play in the tournament, averaging 11.3 points 13.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks. He finished in a huge way, scoring 18 with 10 boards, five blocks and six assists against Duke. It was kind of funny considering Udoh admitted during the tournament he had intentions of going to Duke but chose Baylor because it was close to his home in Oklahoma.
Team of the Tournament Baylor
Any Big 12 fan was banking on Baylor to make it to the Final Four, but Duke just outplayed them. Although the Bears probably had an easier road to the Elite Eight than any other Big 12 team, they were the only conference team to exceed expectations. In the first three rounds, Baylor defeated three teams with double-digit seeds. But against the No. 1-seeded Blue Devils, the Bears endured a tough game and lost 78-71.
Quick Hitters
- In Baylor's game against Duke, Ekpe Udoh had 18 points, 10 rebounds, five blocks and six assists. That is the first time since blocks have been recorded that a player had at least 15 points,10 boards,five assists and five blocks in the NCAA Tournament.
- Kansas State's Jacob Pullen and Denis Clemente were first and third in total points scored in the tournament through the Elite Eight. Pullen had 91 points and Clemente scored 79.
- It was unlucky for Kansas State, but in the past ten overtime NCAA Tournament games,the winner has lost in the next round each time.
THE WAVE MARCH 31,2010
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
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