FEATURE 11
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BIG12 TOURNAMENT
their seeds for the Big Dance.The Wave looks at which teams could make some noise.
champion-desperate for
eighth-eighthfinals.
The Jayhawks could lose their first game against Texas Tech or Colorado — they're sitting out the first round courtesy of a bye — and they'd still be a one seed in the NCAA Tournament (book a hotel room in Oklahoma City, Jayhawk fans). With that in mind, here are five teams to watch in the conference tournament that have a little bit more on the line.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Oklahma State's Obi Munelo drives against Texas ARM's khris Middleton during their game last Wednesday. The Cowboys earned the 7. seed in the Big 12 Tournament.
No.7 Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State needs to beat first-round opponent Oklahoma to be completely locked in as a tournament team, but even if it does slip up against the Sooners it should be just fine come Selection Sunday. The Cowboys finished 9-7 in Big 12 play and 21-9 overall, but they picked up a huge win against the Jayhawks two weeks ago.
The Cowboys are led by recently named Big 12 Conference Player of the Year James Anderson and could move up to as high as a No.5 seed if they make an exceptionally deep run in the conference tournament. Oklahoma State has shown that it is capable of playing well against some very good teams, and the Cowboys will be a tough test for any team.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Colorado forward Austin Default, front, jugends to Tech during their game earlier this season. The Buffaloes won three straight games to end the Big 12 regular season.
No.8 Colorado
Colorado, with a win over Texas Tech in their first game, should be postseason-bound for the first time in ever. No not really. For the first time since 2006, though, which is long enough for most Buffalo fans, no doubt. The Buffaloes finished the season on a three-game winning streak for the first time since 2002-2003, which is also the last time they made the NCAA tournament.
If they keep that hot streak going through the Big 12 Tournament, of course, they would be the eighth team in the conference to get a nod for the NCAA Tournament. Colorado is led by Big 12 Freshman of the Year Alec Burks and Cory Higgins, who are both capable of scoring 20 points per game.
Big 12 Tournament Duos to Watch
The top seven teams in the Big 12 are in the NCAA Tournament regardless of what happens over the next few days. The bottom five would have to win the conference tournament to get in. Here are three duos that, if they get hot, could carry their teams to an upset tournament victory and an eighth tournament bid for the conference.
Alec Burks and Cory Higgins No.8 Colorado
Burks was named Big 12 Freshman of the Year over Kansas' Xavier Henry largely because he's produced on a more consistent basis than Henry, who was a much bigger name coming out of high school. Higgins has been transcendent for the Buffaloes on their three-game winning streak, averaging 27.3 points per game, with two 30-plus point performances in that stretch. If both get hot, the Buffaloes have as good a chance as any to steal an NCAA bid.
Craig Brackins and Marquis Gilstrap No.11 Iowa State
Brackins and Gilstrap have been steady performers for the Cyclones, but it hasn't been enough for them to get over the hump against Big 12 competition. Iowa State finished a disappointing 11th in the conference, despite having two NBA-caliber talents in the rotation. If both play to their abilities, though, the Cyclones are still a very scary matchup. Exhibit A: Saturday's victory over then-No. 5 Kansas State on the Wildcats' home court.
Tony Crocker and
Tommy Mason-Griffin
No.10 Oklahoma
The Sooners lost leading scorer Willie Warren to season- ending ankle surgery, but there's still plenty of offense to go around with Mason-Griffin and Crocker on the floor. Mason-Griffin has been an electric scorer from the point over the course of his freshman season, showcasing his abilities in a 38-point outburst against Iowa State. Crocker also has 30-point ability, and if the Sooners start to play solid defense, these two could lead them on a deep run.
Tim Dwyer
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THE WAVE MARCH 10,2010