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BIG 12 TOURNAMENT SPECIAL SECTION
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
"HURSDAY MARCH 8 2007
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Big 12's stars to shine in Oklahoma City
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
KANSAS
The No. 1 seed is the favorite in this tournament, despite losing to Texas A&M in the two teams' only meeting. Kansas is all but assured a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament if it makes the championship game.
TEXAS A&M
The Aggies missed out on the Big 12 regular season championship after coming up short in double overtime against Texas last week. Now, A&M has the toughest road to the championship game. The Aggies might have to play Oklahoma State in the second round and then Texas after that.
TEXAS
Is Kevin Durant OK? The answer to this is likely yes. He only turned his ankle against Kansas and there was no word of any real damage. The Longhorns have a great chance to win the whole thing and the possibility of a third round match up against Texas A&M should make everyone smile.
KANSAS STATE
It's a shame that the fourth best team in the Big 12 might not make the NCAA tournament if it loses Friday. But that's the situation K-State faces. If the Wildcats beat Texas Tech or Colorado, they would have 22 wins, and it would be almost impossible to keep them out of the NCAAs.
TEXAS TECH
The Red Raiders proved that they are a dangerous team by defeating the Aggies twice and Jayhawks once. A victory against Kansas State in the second round should seal their spot in the NCAA tournament.
MISSOURI
The Tigers improved under coach Mike Anderson this season, but fans can wonder what could have been. If Mizzou would have beat K State and Nebraska at home, not a difficult task, the Tigers would be 20-9 and on the NCAA Tournament bubble. Now, Missouri has to win the conference tournament to make it. That won't be an easy task. If Mizzou wins in the first round, it has to play Texas in the second.
OKLAHOMA STATE
The Cowboys should also receive tremendous support from the locals. Oklahoma State is a team that could go on a run and win the whole tournament. The Cowboys underachieved after starting 15-1. JamesOn Curry and Mario Boggan are two dangerous scorers who can take over a game.
IOWA STATE
The Cyclones match up well against the Sooners, who they face in the first round. But Iowa State upset Oklahoma earlier this season, and the Sooners will not overlook the Cyclones again.
OKLAHOMA
The Sooners will be playing about 40 minutes away from their campus. That is good enough for a first round victory against Iowa State. But the homey feel will quickly disappear against Kansas. The Jayhawks want to beat them badly after winning closely in Norman last week.
The Cornhuskers played inconsistently all season long. In one game, Aleks Marie hung 41 points in a victory against Kansas State. The next game the Huskers only scored 39 points in a loss to Kansas. Nebraska has a chance to beat Oklahoma State in the first
round, but home-court advantage gives the Cowboys the edge.
The Bears were the most disappointing team this season. People expected them to contend for at least an NIT berth, but they won only four league games. Baylor has a chance to beat Missouri if Aaron Bruce gets hot. The Aussie didn't play in the first time these teams met, and Baylor only lost by seven.
BAYLOR
The Buffaloes will not win a game. It's that simple. Winning three games in the conference was a miracle. Guard Richard Roby can get hot and make a difference but not enough of one. Fun Colorado fact: The Buffaloes have an RPI of 233, which is worse than any other school from a major conference.
COLORADO
WHO TO WATCH FOR:
KEVIN DURANT
TEXAS
College basketball's best player proved he can take over a game in the first half against Kansas on Saturday. Despite the ankle injury, Durant should be ready to carry the Longhorns in Oklahoma City. Whatever
takes in the Big 12 Tournament, it shouldn't be a surprise. Durant is capable of anything
Durant
ACIE LAW IV
TEXAS A&M
If the Aggies are in a close game in
Oklahoma City, it's no secret that Law will have the ball in the closing minutes. Another match-up between Law and Durant should be a classic. If Law can lead the Aggies to the tournament title, A&M deserves
JARRIUS JACKSON TEXAS TECH
Jackson is quietly the Big 12's best player not named Durant or Law. If Jackson gets hot, the Red Raiders could easily find themselves in the Big 12 championship game. If Tews wins just one game in Oklahoma City, the Raiders should be dancing.
Jackson
MARIO CHALMERS
KANSAS
KANSAS
The reigning Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament has finally emerged from his midseason shooting slump. Kansas doesn't even need Chalmers to be hot to win the tournament, but if he's on.
look out. While his offensive numbers are great, Chalmers' strength is on defense. He led the Big 12 averaging 2.5 steals a game.
Chalmers
JAMESON CURRY OKLAHOMA STATE
If the Cowboys have any hopes of making the NCAA tournament, Curry will have to lead them on a serious run in their home
state. Curry is certainly capable of being the best guard in the conference. He dropped 40 on Kansas State last week.
Curry
OUR PREDICTIONS:
Ryan Schneider, sports editor:
KANSAS
The Jayhawks are the hottest team in the country right now, having won of eight in a row. The biggest reason for Kansas' success has been defense. The team has finally bought into coach Bill Self's defense-first philosophy and it's paying off. As long as the Jayhawks play defense in Oklahoma City, they'll cruise to another Big 12 Tournament title.
Michael Phillips, men's basketball reporter: KANSAS
Things are setting up for a repeat of last year's event, when Texas and Texas A&M played one of the best games of the year on Saturday, then Kansas knocked out the tired winner on Sunday. I don't buy the argument that the Jayhawks need to win to get a No. 1 seed, though. Advancing to Sunday should be good enough.
Mark Dent, Big 12 basketball reporter:
TEXAS & A.M
The Aggies are motivated after not getting a share of the Big 12 Title and not being in the discussion for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Acie Law will be able to carry this team past Oklahoma State, Texas in the second and third rounds and Kansas in the title game.
— Edited by Jyl Unruh
PHILLIPS 66 BIG 12 MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Thursday-Sunday, March 8-11 Ford Center -- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
. Sund Quarterfinals Semifinals Championship ray, March 8 Friday, March 9 Saturday, March 10 Sunday, March 11