From the beginning of the year, everyone knew that Kansas would be a contender for a sixth straight regular season title. The thought was that they would have to find a way to edge out Texas, another pre-season media darling, to get there. Now that the regular season has played out, we know that Kansas held up their end of the bargain, but Texas found a few potholes on their road. While Texas was down a couple of other teams emerged as true contenders, KansasState and Baylor. The result of this jumble? A bottom half of a bracket that looks like murderers row with a final prize likely being a chance to play a relatively rested Kansas team. Of course, upsets happen and Kansas may get tripped up, but all signs are pointing towards Kansas hoisting the trophy at the end of the tourney.
Schedule (All Times EST)
Wednesday, March 10
Game 1: (8) Colorado (15-15, 6-10) vs. (9) Texas Tech (16-14, 4-12) - 12:30 PM (Big 12 Network)
Game 2: (5) Missouri (22-9, 10-6) vs. (12) Nebraska (14-17, 2-14) - 3:00 PM (Big 12 Network)
Game 3: (7) OklahomaState (21-9, 9-7) vs. (10) Oklahoma (13-17, 4-12) - 7:00 PM (Big 12 Network)
Game 4: (6) Texas (23-8, 9-7) vs. (11) IowaState (15-16, 4-12) - 9:30 PM (Big 12 Network)
Thursday, March 11
Game 5: (1) Kansas (29-2, 15-1) vs. G1 Winner - 12:30 PM (ESPN2)
Game 6: (4) Texas A&M (22-8, 11-5) vs. G2 Winner - 3:00 PM (Big 12 Network)
Game 7: (2) KansasState (24-6, 11-5) vs. G3 Winner - 7:00 PM (Big 12 Network)
Game 8: (3) Baylor (24-6, 11-5) vs. G4 Winner - 9:30 PM (ESPN2)
Friday, March 12
Game 9: G5 Winner vs. G6 Winner - 7:00 PM (Big 12 Network)
Game 10: G7 Winner vs. G8 Winner - 9:30 PM (Big 12 Network)
Saturday, March 13
Game 11: Big 12 Championship - 6:00 PM (ESPN)
Sleeper: Texas Longhorns
At the beginning of the season, it would be hard to say the Longhorns could be a sleeper in anything, but the second half the season was not kind to Texas. They have all of the component parts to be an amazing team, and early in the season, showed that when they put it together, they could beat anyone. Big 12 fans have watched this talented team toil as head coach Rick Barnes tried to find a rotation that could work well together. This could be the time where Damion James put this team on his back and doesn't let them lose. J'Covan Brown seems to have settled in at the point guard and other talented freshmen Avery Bradley and Jordan Hamilton need to step up. That group coupled with Dexter Pittman (staying out of foul trouble) and the Texas bench could make a run through the tournament that everyone expected before the season.
Bust: Texas A&M Aggies
Texas A&M was able to get the 4 seed when Missouri lost their final game of the season. What this did was give them the chance to avoid the bottom half of the bracket. Of course, this also gives them a potential matchup with Kansas. If the Aggies look ahead to a game against Kansas, they will likely be nipped by the revenge-minded Missouri Tigers. Missouri will likely have hometown fans in Kansas City and will use their frenetic defense to try to steal a game from Texas A&M.
Players to Watch
James Anderson, G, Oklahoma State Cowboys
Anderson was the runaway scoring leader in the Big 12. Anderson had 17 games in which he scored 25 points or more. He can score from anywhere, behind the arc or on a drive to the hoop. He got very little pub during the season, probably because his team wasn't a leader, but he is the best pure scorer in the league. He single-handedly gave Kansas their only loss in Big 12 play, scoring 27 and opening the floor for his teammates. He has showed that he can put the team on his back and beat anybody. He'll need to do just that for the Cowboys to make a run.
Ekpe Udoh, C, Baylor Bears
As the holder of the Big 12's only triple-double (18 pts, 17 reb, 10 blocks against Morgan State) this season, Udoh has the ability to dominate the paint. In addition to his triple-double, Udoh also managed to rack up 11 double-doubles. But Udoh's greatest asset is his ability to open up the guards, LaceDarius Dunn and Tweety Carter. When he play's well, teams typically need to help on defense, leaving open shots for the Baylor guards. Look for Udoh to play well if Baylor is going to make a run.
Damion James, G/F, Texas Longhorns
While Ekpe Udoh may have the triple-double crown, Damion James has the Big 12's double-double crown with 15 on the season. James has the ability to take over a game. He can shoot from outside, and has the body to play inside and rebound. He is the main senior on the otherwise young Texas team. For the longhorns to have a chance at winning the Big 12 tourney, James will have to take over. For most of the Longhorns, there is a next year, for James, this is his last shot.
Marcus Morris, F, Kansas Jayhawks
By looking at overall stats, Marcus Morris was just average. But if ones takes a look at Morris' stats from Big 12 play, it's easy to see that he had a huge impact for the Jayhawks. In Big 12 play, Morris averaged 14.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists. While these stats are in no way award-worthy, you still need to realize that he was doing this with one of the best centers in the country, Cole Aldrich, next to him. He makes a lot of the hustle plays and is willing to get dirty. Every team looking to win a championship needs these role players, and Marcus is willing to do what it takes to win games.
Jacob Pullen, G, Kansas State Wildcats
Kansas State fans like to say "Fear the Beard" when it comes to Pullen. With his Abe Lincoln beard, Jacob can shoot from anywhere on the floor and is as tough as any guard in the country. As the leader of the number two seeded Wildcats, he has his hands full trying to navigate the bottom half of the Big 12 bracket. Pullen is averaging 18.9 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game on the season. Along side his scoring, Pullen's defense is often called upon to shut down an opposing team's scorer. KansasState is going to need a good effort from Pullen to make a good run in the Big 12 tourney.