10 FEATURE
BREAKING DOWN THE B
The Big 12 Tournament starts today, and several teams have a chance to improve their see
5 teams to watch
With the Big 12 a lock for seven NCAA tournament teams — no more, no less, barring a championship run in the conference tournament by any of the bottom five seeds — fans could be desperate for things to look for in the Big 12 Championship Tournament, which kicks off Wednesday with eighth-seeded Colorado facing No.9 Texas Tech for the right to play top-seeded Kansas in the quarterfinals.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kansas State's Dems. Clemente plays over Texas Tech. John Robertson then game on Feb 23 in Lubbock. Clemente averages 16 points for the Wildcats this season.
No.2 Kansas State
The Wildcats suffered a disappointing end to a great regular season with a loss at Kansas and an upset at the hands of Iowa State in Bramlage Coliseum on senior day. They had been pegged as a two seed — maybe even sneaking in as the fourth No. 1 behind Kentucky, Syracuse and Kansas — before their late-season slide.
Now, Kansas State needs to win at least one game to retain their spot as a second seed in the bracket. If they pull off a championship run in the conference tournament, though, their outside shot at a top seed in the NCAA Tournament becomes a lot more realistic.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Baylors, Ekipe Idjoh, right, is pressured by Texas forward Clint Chapman during their game on March 6 in Macro, Texas. The teams finished 11-5 in Big 12 conference play.
No.3 Baylor
The Bears have somehow managed to fly completely under the national radar this year. Despite posting the exact same conference record and overall record as the Wildcats, Baylor sits 12 spots behind Kansas State in the latest AP poll. The Bears are No.8 in the RPI, which is a big factor in the seeding by the NCAA tournament selection committee, and could make a legitimate run at a two seed with a Big 12 Tournament championship.
If they drop their first round game - not out of the question, as they'll likely face Texas - they could fall as low as a six or seven seed. Bracketology101, which projected 60 of 65 teams within one slot last year, has the Bears as a five seed right now. Baylor has as much wiggle room with regards to seeding as anyone in the Big 12.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Texas guard J Cowan Brown goes for a jumper against Oklahoma during the second half of the Longhorns' 76 against Sonics last Monday. Texas finished sixth in the Big 12.
No.6 Texas
The Longhorns' late-season collapse has been well documented, and if Texas doesn't want to face an early exit in the tournament, they need to turn things around starting Wednesday against Iowa State. If the Longhorns don't win at least two games in the Big 12 Tournament, they very well could be looking up in seed come Selection Sunday as a No.9 or a No.10 seed. If the Longhorns defeat the Iowa State Cyclones in round one, they'll square off with the Baylor Bears in the quarterfinals.
Texas' resume is boosted by non-conference wins over tourney-bound Michigan State and Pittsburgh, but the Longhorns' seeding could be crippled by the fact that they lost eight of their last 14 games.
Oklahoma State's Ob game last Wednesda
Oklahoma S homa to be co but even if it c just fine come in Big 12 play win against th
The Cowboy ence Player ou up to as high deep run in th has shown th very good tea any team.
THE WAVE MARCH 10.2010
+
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
T