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Mellinger: Time for the Big 12 to step up...

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konza63
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c'85 Towering toward the Blue

8 years 8 months ago #6082 by konza63

Sad and damning yet true:

www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-bl...article65890302.html

Unlike a lot of labels in sports, the Big 12’s reputation as a March failure is well earned. In fact, it is the worst-performing major conference in the country over the last decade. The NCAA Tournament is defined by surprises, and surprises can cloud small sample sizes, but this is more than a one-year fluke or three-year trend.

Since 2006, the Big 12 is dead last in NCAA Tournament winning percentage and Final Four teams when compared with the Atlantic Coast, Big Ten, Big East, Pac-12 and Southeastern conferences. The league has more total wins than the Pac-12 but trails each of the other four leagues.

In the last five years — a college sports election cycle, if you will — the numbers are even worse.

Over that time, the Big 12 is 29-30. Each of the other leagues is at least seven games over .500. The ACC (43-24), Big Ten (54-33) and SEC (39-19) are lapping the Big 12. Since the Big 12’s most recent Final Four team (Kansas in 2012), the Big Ten has had four, the SEC three, the Big East two and the ACC one.

The Big 12 has lost more games than it has won in each of the last three tournaments. In the last 10 years, no major conference has more than two such tournaments. The ACC has had none, and the Big Ten just one, back in 2006.

“With kindest regards to Dr. Forrest C. Allen, the father of basketball coaching, from the father of the game.”

1936 inscription on the portrait of Dr. Naismith, displayed above Phog Allen's office desk at KU.

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NotOstertag
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8 years 8 months ago #6085 by NotOstertag

One of the ESPN guys is picking 3 Big 12 teams in the FF (KU, OU, WVU). I think that's possible.

Regardless, if you look at the #1 SOS school (Texas) they got that by playing A&M, Carolina, UConn and Vandy out of conference....and then playing the Big 12 teams twice. KU is #2 in SOS, and can point to games against MSU, Vandy, and Kentucky out of conference....and then playing the Big 12 twice (WVU 3x). In fact, with the exception of OSU (#21 SOS), the rest of the conference is ranked 13 or higher in SOS, with 5 of the top 6 SOS teams being from the Big 12.

So without a doubt, the Big 12 is the toughest conference, right? Maybe not. We've heard this all before. I'm sure that KenPom, Sagarin, Corpus, and Asteroid would all defend the computer models (and I'm sure that they're correct) but once we hit conference games, the "interaction" with outside of conference teams ends. So if the Big 12 enters the conference season with a strong conference ranking, it's theoretically possible that all 12 teams could devolve, but not have the numbers change since the conferences are essentially "quarantined" starting in January.

Bottom line, I agree. At this point, to defend that the "Big 12 is the toughest conference" we need to have our guys do well. Personally, KU is poised to do well. I also think that WVU's style of play (assuming the refs let them play) will drive opponents nuts and get them a deep run. I'm not as hot on OU of late, but they've got the skills if they utilize them properly. I also like ISU and Texas getting out of the first weekend. With 7 teams in the we have almost 11 teams in the field of 64 (I don't count the 4 play-in games). If we can get 5 into the second weekend, that's almost 1/3 of the field, which would go a long way to supporting our conference's claim to the best conference.

"When I was a freshman, I remember Coach Naismith telling us how important it was to play good defense." - Mitch Lightfoot

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Hawknmo
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8 years 8 months ago #6148 by Hawknmo

It has been an all too frequent theme. We hear all year how great the Big 12 is and then we watch them get bounced early and often in March. This year might finally be the exception. Obviuosly I like KUs chances. I really, really like WVUs chances to get to Houston. Beat Notre Dame and Xavier to get to Roys boys? Huggins? Huggins? Table for one? Theres even a chance ISU could face Tubbys guys first game of the second weekend. OU might have a bit tougher row to hoe but not outrageous. The only team I am predicting to go home early is the Longhorns. I believe A&M is for real. Give Shaka another year and I would like them better, but right now I don't think they have the horses to beat the Aggies. I will take 6 for 7 out of weekend 1 though.

RKCKJHK!!!

RKCKJHK!!!

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konza63
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c'85 Towering toward the Blue

8 years 8 months ago - 8 years 8 months ago #6151 by konza63

I hope you're right with those projections. I think if the tourney games are called like Big 12 games, and if Williams plays like he did Saturday, WVU could go very deep. I would pay money to see them attack UNC. But I fear the calls will go against them more in the Dance, and they have a very dangerous opening game they have to escape (Stephen F Austin).

As for others, I agree that A&M is equipped to stop OU, unless they get it rolling again (which I hope they do). If Puke gets to Baylor, I hope the Bears can take it to them, but I worry about Drew getting outcoached. I think they have the players, however.

ISU has a really tough 2nd game draw in the altitude of Denver against Purdue, and while I hope they advance I think that's a coin flip.

I have UNI over UT in an upset (hope I'm wrong) and Tech bowing out to Butler.

I hope we can get at least 5 out of the first round and get at least 3 to the Sweet 16. (I have 4 projected--KU, OU, Baylor, WVU) In my bracket, I have only KU in the Elite Eight. Hope I'm wrong and we get KU plus 1-2 more!

Last Edit: 8 years 8 months ago by konza63.

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Hawknmo
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8 years 8 months ago #6154 by Hawknmo

Wow. I know UNI beat the Shockers in overtime to win the Valley tourney but you are aware Farokhmanesh had no eligibility left right? Hes not there anymore.

Taylor is a good to very good point and I believe the UNI guards will have no answer for him. Now A&M...different story all together.

RKCKJHK!!!

RKCKJHK!!!

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konza63
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c'85 Towering toward the Blue

8 years 8 months ago - 8 years 8 months ago #6156 by konza63

I admit it, I'm still influenced by the UNI of 2010. And I will forever have nightmares about that horrible trek to Oklahoma City (from DC) in the midst of a crazy March snowstorm down there. (JRHawk can relate to that miserable weekend--he was there too)

UNI still has that same coach. The one they caught on camera during our debacle with that demonic smile. (Aaarrrggh, the nightmares and flashbacks!)

But I just don't believe in UT right now. Taylor is gimpy, they can't seem to get Sasquatch worked back into the lineup with his bad foot, and I just think they're going to have issues. Again, I hope I'm wrong.

As for A&M, I still think that if OU plays like they played at Allen, they win going away. But they'll need a lot more out of Spangler and Lattin (holding their own) in that game.

Last Edit: 8 years 8 months ago by konza63.

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NotOstertag
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8 years 8 months ago #6169 by NotOstertag

This just in: Ali Farokmanesh has petitioned the NCAA and has gotten permission to play 2 more games! He'll be suiting up this weekend.

I'll remember that guy's name forever.

"When I was a freshman, I remember Coach Naismith telling us how important it was to play good defense." - Mitch Lightfoot

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konza63
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c'85 Towering toward the Blue

8 years 8 months ago #6170 by konza63

While they're at it, perhaps they can bring back that big ogre (6'10 Center) who stepped out to hit 2 or 3 three-pointers in that dreadful game. (If memory serves, they were the only 3-pointers he'd ever hit up to that point, and probably ever hit over the course of his college career)

I really need a "face plant" emoticon for this, and a "head-bangs-wall" one while we're at it.

Nightmares? Yes. Permanent psychological damage? Perhaps.

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JRhawk
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8 years 8 months ago #6178 by JRhawk

I heard he is saving his remaining eligibility for next year when NU plays KU.
HAWKNO - UNI beat UNC in Cedar Falls (granted sans Paige) and ISU at a neutral site.

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