12 AROUND THE BIG 12
Big 12 recap Compiled by Tim Dwyer
GAME OF THE YEAR
Kansas 81 Kansas State 79 (OT) January30,2010
In a game highlighted by clutch performances from the Jayhawks' two best players, Kansas eked past in-state rival Kansas State in an instant classic. Sherron Collins overcame a tough shooting night to knock down a clutch lay-up with the clock winding down in the overtime period and Cole Aldrich played more than 10 straight minutes with four fouls, finishing with a double-double and pulling down a big offensive board late in the game.
KANSAN FILE PHOTO
Big 12 Players and Coach of the Year
Big 12 Player of the Year James Anderson, Oklahoma State G
Anderson is almost single-handedly responsible for the Cowboys' season sweep of the Sunflower State in 2010. Kansas State first fell victim in Bramlage Coliseum when Anderson controlled the Wildcats with 30 points, three assists and three boards. Just more than a month later, Anderson thrilled the Oklahoma State faithful, overpowering Xavier Henry and the Jayhawks for 27 points and eight rebounds in the upset of the season.
Big 12 Freshman of the Year Alec Burks, Colorado G
Burks was off everyone's radar when the season started, but he quickly established himself as one of the top scorers in the league. Xavier Henry may have been more electric at times, but no one was more consistent than Colorado's unheralded recruit from Grandview, Mo. Burks was one of three players in the conference - the other two being Jacob Pullen and James Anderson - to score in double figures in every game he played.
Big 12 Coach of the Year Frank Martin, Kansas State
With all due respect to Bill Self, who was masterful in manipulating a team full of supreme talents to a 15-1 record, there was no coach in the conference who did more with less than the Wildcats' Martin. Even with a disappointing two-game skid to end the year, count on Martin to have his team ready to play in the NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats finished second in the conference and took Kansas to overtime in Bramlage Coliseum.
Quick Hitters
- Kansas '15-1 record was the best finish in the conference since the Jayhawks went a perfect 16-0 in 2002.
- The Jayhawks won the Big 12 Conference for a record sixth consecutive time. In its 14-year existence, Kansas has won the Big 12 Conference 10 times.
- At the end of the regular season, the Colorado Buffaloes had the longest active winning streak in the conference.
- Baylor was the season's biggest surprise, picked to finish 10th in the conference in the preseason poll, but actually finishing tied for second.
- Oklahoma, who was picked to finish third in the preseason poll, was the league's biggest disappointment, finishing 10th in the conference standings.
THE WAVE MARCH 10,2010
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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN