NCAA Basketball FanHouse http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com NCAA Basketball FanHouse http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/media/feedlogo.gif NCAA Basketball FanHouse http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Big 12 Forces Its Way Into Nation's Elitehttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/05/big-12-forces-its-way-into-nations-elite/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/05/big-12-forces-its-way-into-nations-elite/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/11/05/big-12-forces-its-way-into-nations-elite/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,


It seems like every year the usual suspects are lined up as contenders for the best basketball conference in the country.

Big East. ACC. Pac-10. Big Ten.

But the Big 12 never seems to get much love, despite some impressive numbers that suggest the newest of the major conferences deserve to be part of the conversation. No conference has advanced more teams to Elite Eight (13) and Final Four (six) since 2002. The Kansas Jayhawks even cut down the nets in 2008.
More Previews: ACC | SEC | Big 10 | Big 12 | Pac-10

Also consider that in the last three seasons, it has been the Big 12, and not the Big East or ACC that has produced the top player in the country: Texas forward Kevin Durant (2007), Kansas State forward Michael Beasley (2008) and Oklahoma forward Blake Griffin (2009).

This season, the Big 12 has the preseason No.1 team in the nation and the squad many predict will likely end as the national champion in Kansas. And oh, the Jayhawks could be playing preseason No.3 Texas in this season's Final Four.

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All those are reasons why the Big 12 coaches trumpet their league as one of the best, even if no one else will.

"Years ago people used to say -- or ask the question -- is our league ever going to be considered one of the best leagues in the country, or it can't be until you win the national championship," Texas coach Rick Barnes said. "Obviously, Kansas having done that, I don't know what other questions people can ask about our league. If we're not the best league in the country, we've got to be in that discussion every year.

"You go back and look at the success year in and year out, I think also in the tournament, obviously in the recruiting, where there's a lot of games won during those months."

But as special as the Big 12 has been in the past, it could be even more exciting this season with a star-studded lineup of premiere players across the league. Several players such as Texas forward Damion James, Iowa State center Craig Brackins and Oklahoma guard Willie Warren gave up the chance to be instant millionaires as potential NBA first round picks to return to school this past spring.

You combine them with proven commodities such as Kansas' two preseason player of the year candidates, point guard Sherron Collins and center Cole Aldrich, along with Oklahoma State guard James Anderson and you have a league that is certain to produce lots of exciting moments this season.

"When you look at some guys that could have been gone to go make some money and make big money, and yet they choose to stay in the league, that's a credit to those coaches and those relationships they've got with those kids," said Kansas State coach Frank Martin. "It's a credit to the league and just how much fun it is.

"It's not fun when it's late January and you get your brains beat in, but it's tremendous basketball. If you've got any hope at being any good, you've got to be excited about being in such a great conference as this."

Oklahoma coach Jeff Capel agrees.

"Like I've said since I've been here, there's some great coach in this league," said Capel, whose Sooners are picked to finish third in the league race. "Because of the talent level that our league has been able to attract, it makes the basketball a very, very high level.

This season, it all starts with the Jayhawks, who return their top nine scorers from last season's 27-8 Big 12 championship squad that advanced to the Sweet 16. Throw in another highly regarded recruiting class, which includes Top 5 recruit Xavier Henry, and it's easy to see many believe the Jayhawks will be the last team standing come April.

Kansas coach Bill Self, however, has joked throughout the preseason that it's hard for him to even think about winning the national championship when he knows how difficult it will be to win the Big 12 title.

"I really like our team," said Self, whose team is the only one of the Big 12 members to win the national title since the league's inception during the 1996-97 season. I think we have a chance to be a special group. We'll have to be very special because I think the league is the best since I've been in it, and I think it's the best it's going to be since the inception of the league.

"We've had success in the league the last few years, and certainly it will be much more difficult to maintain that because of the quality of teams in the league."

Without question Kansas and Texas will be the two premiere teams in the conference and it could be that the Longhorns could actually break through this season. Their frontcourt of Damion James and Dexter Pittman could be the most formidable in the conference and with the nation's top recruit Avery Bradley expected to add scoring pop, Texas could be the team to give the Jayhawks serious trouble. The biggest question mark for the Longhorns will be at point guard, where Justin Mason has slid over to his more natural two guard spot. Florida transfer Jai Lucas is expected to run the Longhorns offense, but he won't be eligible to play until mid-year under NCAA transfer rules.

"People are a year older, a year wiser, and I think they understand that this team will have tremendous balance," said UT coach Rick Barnes. "We want to be a transition team, and we want to get up and down the floor."

After the Jayhawks and Longhorns, the Big 12 boasts teams like Oklahoma, Kansas State, Texas A&M and Oklahoma State that should make some noise throughout the season and could all end up in the NCAA tournament should the league get six bids again.

But consider this a testament to how truly tough the conference may be this season. The Iowa State Cyclones have a unanimous preseason All-Big 12 player in Brackins and the preseason newcomer of the year in Marquis Gilstrap, yet the league coaches still picked them to finish eighth in the preseason poll.

"I think it is a testament to the league. I think you could argue -- and it's an easy argument -- the seven teams that are picked ahead of us are picked ahead of us for a reason," said ISU coach Greg McDermott. "Generally, preseason polls are based on how you did last year and what you return. There's just a lot returning in our league.

"Some of the newcomers that are entering our league come from very successful backgrounds in high school or junior college, and I think they're going to have quite an impact right away. So we're picked probably about where we should be picked, but I'll be disappointed if that's where it ends up at the end of the day."




The Team That Will Surprise: Iowa State

With the 6-foot-10 Brackins in the post and junior college swing man Marquis Gilstrap, the Cyclones could easily break into the top five of the conference this season and challenge for a spot in the NCAA Tournament.


The Team on Decline: Missouri

After Mike Anderson's squad stormed into the Elite Eight last season with its version of 40 minutes of hell, look for the Tigers to take a step back to recover from the loss of leading scorer DeMarre Carroll and Leon Lyons along with Matt Lawrence.


Player of the Year: Sherron Collins

The senior Kansas guard will indeed prove this season he is the best point guard in the nation and the most valuable player to his team.


Best Chance to Win it All: Kansas

The Jayhawks have the experience, depth and explosiveness to win the Final Four. The biggest question coming into the season is which of the five returning starters will come off the bench once Xavier Henry is inserted into the starting lineup?

Big 12 Forces Its Way Into Nation's Elite originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Bill SelfBillSelfCole AldrichColeAldrichCraig Brackinsdamion jamesDamionJamesFrank MartinGreg McDermottjames andersonJamesAndersonjeff capelJeffCapelMarquis GilstrapMichael BeasleyMichaelBeasleymike andersonRick BarnesRickBarnesSherron CollinsSherronCollinswillie warrenWillieWarrenTerrance HarrisThu, 05 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST Kansas Is Pick to Win Big 12http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/14/kansas-jayhawks-concensus-pick-to-win-big-12/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/14/kansas-jayhawks-concensus-pick-to-win-big-12/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/10/14/kansas-jayhawks-concensus-pick-to-win-big-12/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Sherron CollinsThe Kansas Jayhawks are the No.1 choice almost every preseason basketball publication, now they are also the unanimous pick to win the Big 12 championship by the league coaches, according to the poll released Wednesday.

The Jayhawks, who return all five starters and pretty much all of their scoring from a season ago, received all 11 possible first-place votes by the Big 12 coaches (head coaches can not vote for their own team). In addition to the retuning starters, which include All-Big 12 First Team selections Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich, Kansas also brings aboard one of the top recruiting classes in the nation.Collins and Aldrich have also been selected the preseason co-Players of the Year.

Texas, which obviously received KU coach Bill Self's first-place, was picked second in the poll and has the lone remaining first place vote. The Longhorns return four starters from last season have been largely regarded as a top five team nationally by most basketball experts.

Following the Jayhawks and Longhorns are Oklahoma (third), Kansas State (fourth) and Texas A&M (fifth).

Team (First place votes) Points
1. Kansas (11)* 121
2. Texas (1) 111
3. Oklahoma 95
4. Kansas State 92
5. Texas A&M 74
6. Oklahoma State 69
7. Missouri 66
8. Iowa State 57
9. Texas Tech 34
10. Baylor 33
11. Nebraska 27
12. Colorado 13




Preseason Co-Players of the Year
Cole Aldrich, Kansas, C, 6-11, 245, Jr., Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson
Sherron Collins, Kansas, G, 5-11, 205, Sr., Chicago, Ill./Crane

Preseason Newcomer of the Year
Marquis Gilstrap, Iowa State, F, 6-7, 215, Sr., Covington, Ga./East Side/Gulf Coast CC [Fla.]

Preseason Freshman of the Year
Avery Bradley, Texas, G, 6-2, 180, Fr., Tacoma, Wash./Findlay Prep [Nev.]

2009-10 Preseason All-Big 12 Team

Name School Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Hometown/Previous school(s)

Craig Brackins, Iowa State** F 6-10 230 Jr. Palmdale, Calif./Brewster Academy [N.H.]
Cole Aldrich, Kansas C 6-11 245 Jr. Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson
Sherron Collins, Kansas** G 5-11 205 Sr. Chicago, Ill./Crane
Willie Warren, Oklahoma G 6-4 199 So. Fort Worth, Texas/North Crowley
James Anderson, OSU G/F 6-6 205 Jr. Junction City, Ark./Junction City
Damion James, Texas G/F 6-7 225 Sr. Nacogdoches, Texas/Nacogdoches

** - Unanimous Selection.
A tie in the voting created six spots on the preseason squad

Kansas Is Pick to Win Big 12 originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:18:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Bill SelfBillSelfCole AldrichColeAldrichKansas JayhawksKansasJayhawksSherron CollinsSherronCollinsTerrance HarrisWed, 14 Oct 2009 16:18:00 EST Texas, Kansas Claim Big Presence on ESPN's Big Monday Schedulehttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/07/16/texas-kansas-claim-big-presence-on-espns-big-monday-schedule/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/07/16/texas-kansas-claim-big-presence-on-espns-big-monday-schedule/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/07/16/texas-kansas-claim-big-presence-on-espns-big-monday-schedule/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Kansas and Texas should be the class of the Big 12 next basketball season and ESPN is certainly banking on as much.

The Big 12 and ESPN released its Big Monday package for the 2010 campaign and both the Jayhawks and Longhorns will appear four times each in the eight-game package, which includes an anticipated February 8th showdown between the two power teams. Kansas will likely enter the season as the nation's No.1 ranked team while Texas is bringing in an influx of young talent that should make the Longhorns a Top 10 team.

The Big 12 kicks off its longstanding relationship with ESPN's Big Monday platform when rivals Oklahoma and Oklahoma State meet on January 11. Here is the full slate of Big 12 Big Monday games:


Date Game Time (CT)
January 11 Oklahoma State at Oklahoma 8 p.m.
January 18 Texas at Kansas State 8 p.m.
January 25 Missouri at Kansas 8 p.m.
February 1 Texas at Oklahoma State 8 p.m.
February 8 Kansas at Texas 8 p.m.
February 15 Kansas at Texas A&M 8 p.m.
February 22 Oklahoma at Kansas 8 p.m.
March 1 Oklahoma at Texas 8 p.m.

Texas, Kansas Claim Big Presence on ESPN's Big Monday Schedule originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:23:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Terrance HarrisThu, 16 Jul 2009 13:23:00 EST Big 12 Hoops Coaches Say League Will Be Best Next Seasonhttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/06/17/big-12-hoops-coaches-say-league-will-be-best-next-season/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/06/17/big-12-hoops-coaches-say-league-will-be-best-next-season/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/06/17/big-12-hoops-coaches-say-league-will-be-best-next-season/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Bill Self, Kansas coachThe debate about which conference is the best basketball league usually heats up in December.

But the Big 12 coaches set fire to the debate early by staking claim as the best basketball conference Tuesday, some five months before the 2009-10 season begins. So the Big East, ACC, Pac-10 and SEC will have to just lineup for second best.

"I do think it's going to be the best with what we have retuning and the things that we've done in the last few years," Texas A&M coach Mark Turgeon said during the Big 12 summer teleconference call Tuesday. "I've talked to some so-called experts out there and they think we are going to be the best league, too.

"As far as talk goes this season, we'll be No.1 and I think rightfully so. We have some really good teams at the top and we have some good depth so as a coach it's going to be a challenge but it's going to be exciting, You're going to be getting a lot of publicity throughout the year. "

Such bravado is fueled by the league's recent success in the NCAA tournament combined with the uncharacteristic return of NBA-quality talent for next season. Texas' Damion James, Kansas' Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich, Oklahoma State's James Anderson and Oklahoma's Willie Warren all defied the recent trend of early entries into the NBA to remain in school.

During last season's NCAA tournament, the league went 6-0 in the first round, had three teams advance to the Sweet 16, two to the Elite Eight and even Baylor made it to the NIT championship. But the Big 12 coaches insist the proof is in the players next season where they several frontline guys and arguably the best depth of any of the major conferences.

"With those people returning for their junior and senior years for the most part, probably made this league unfortunately for coaches probably the best league that's going to be in the country this next year," said Nebraska coach Doc Sadler. "If the guys from Kansas would have left or James Anderson would have left or Damion James would have left, all of those guys are obviously very very good players that can make a difference in your league and probably some day will be playing in the NBA.

"All that does is add to the depth that everybody in the league wants you to have. It's going to be an interesting year. The league is going to be really fun to watch."

Kansas, which is a year removed from winning the national title and lost a hard-fought Sweet 16 contest with eventual national runner-up Michigan State this past season, returns all five starters and its top nine scorers to go along with a top five recruiting class. Can you say preseason No.1 lock?

But most believe Texas will be in the national contending conversation before the season is out with big man Dexter Pittman and James combining with what most are trumpeting as the best recruiting class in the country.

The loss of national player of the year Blake Griffin and several key players from last year's 30-6 Elite Eight team won't prevent Jeff Capel's Oklahoma Sooners from making some noise next season. OU is bringing in Jeff Cape, Oklahoma coach versus North Carolinaa stellar recruiting class that includes Keith Gallon to combine with Warren.

The Sooners, along with Texas A&M, Kansas State and Missouri could bring Big East-like competition to the Big 12 next season.

"Kansas and Texas are going to be very good, the rich get richer," said Texas Tech coach Pat Knight. "But with those two programs, I think you will see some teams that were struggling last year that are going to be better because they had young players and some teams did a good job recruiting.

"I just think this league is always going to be tough."

But Knight says the key to the national knowing how tough the league is is through exposure. The ACC and Big East seem to be the media favorites, while attention certainly seems destined to return to Kentucky next season with the arrival of John Calipari and a big-time recruiting class.

Not being afraid to say how good your league is, no matter how early, might be the first step in the big 12 getting the recognition it believes it deserves as the best basketball conference next season.

"We were talking about that in the coaches meetings, we have to get better exposure for this league because we really feel, if not the top basketball league it's going to be top two," Knight said. "We just have to do a better of promoting it from a conference standpoint and a coaches standpoint."

Big 12 Hoops Coaches Say League Will Be Best Next Season originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:58:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>blake griffinBlakeGriffincole aldrichColeAldrichdamion jamesDamionJamesdexter pittmanDexterPittmandoc sadlerDocSadlerjames andersonJamesAndersonjeff capeljohn calipariJohnCaliparikeith gallonKeithGallonmark turgeonMarkTurgeonpat knightPatKnightsherron collinsSherronCollinswillie warrenWillieWarrenTerrance HarrisWed, 17 Jun 2009 12:58:00 EST Texas A&M Rises Above Bubblehttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/03/07/texas-aandm-surges-off-the-bubble/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/03/07/texas-aandm-surges-off-the-bubble/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/03/07/texas-aandm-surges-off-the-bubble/#commentsFiled under: , ,

A couple weeks ago, Texas A&M wasn't even in the bubble discussion. They were 3-7 in the Big 12 and dead in the water. The second year of the Mark Turgeon era was looking like a bitter mistake for Aggie fans.

Then they reeled off five straight wins -- including three on the road -- to get back in the discussion. Finishing off the Missouri Tigers at the end of the season moves Texas A&M into "lock" status.

Missouri, meanwhile, suddenly has some big questions heading into the postseason.

Texas A&M 96, No. 12 Missouri 86: Recap | Box Score | RPI | Scores
While the Aggies' wins in this streak have included some of the bottom feeders of the Big 12, it also included bubble team Nebraska in Lincoln and Texas -- good wins. Coupled with knocking off Arizona and LSU in the non-conference, and the Aggies appear secure. Texas A&M suddenly looks like a definite NCAA Tourney team.

As big a story as the resurgent Tigers have been, meanwhile, they have looked very non-competitive in their past two road games. Kansas absolutely dismantled them last Sunday. And now there's this game with Texas A&M. Unless the Tigers go on a major run in the Big 12 Tournament, their seed will slide a bit, from a possible No. 2 to 4 to somewhere in the No. 5 to 7 range.

Texas A&M Rises Above Bubble originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sat, 07 Mar 2009 16:14:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Chas RichSat, 07 Mar 2009 16:14:00 EST Oklahoma Can't Keep Up With Missourihttp://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/03/04/oklahoma-cant-keep-up-with-missouri/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/03/04/oklahoma-cant-keep-up-with-missouri/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2009/03/04/oklahoma-cant-keep-up-with-missouri/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It's incredible to still be saying this March 4, but before Wednesday night's game against Missouri the Oklahoma Sooners hadn't been faced with a real road test while at full strength all season. They didn't play any potential NCAA Tournament teams on the road in non-conference play, and Blake Griffin was injured in the first half of their game in Austin.

That finally changed when they went into Columbia, and while they didn't embarrass themseleves, the Sooners sure didn't have the look of a national title contender in their 73-64 loss to Mizzou.

No. 15 Missouri 73, No. 4 Oklahoma 64: Recap | Box Score | RPI | Scores

The Tigers jumped ahead 13-5 in the first five minutes of the game and never relinquished that lead. They lived on putbacks and threes through the first half; DeMarre Carroll led the charge with nine points in the first period, and five offensive boards on the night. The effective shooting from deep was more of a group effort, as four different Tigers hit threes in the first half as the team combined for 6-for-14 shooting from beyond the arc.

Both Griffins had a solid first half for the Sooners -- Blake and his brother Taylor combined for 19 points on 8-for-11 shooting before the break -- but the rest of the team was very ineffective, shooting a dismal 3-for-20 from the field. Oklahoma's supporting cast has the opportunity to thrive when opposing defenses focus in on the younger Griffin, constantly throwing double- and triple-teams at him. But that didn't happen tonight, and it's the main reason that Missouri emerged with a comfortable victory.

The result isn't just a function of Oklahoma's failure of course. It actually wasn't an upset, as the Tigers were favored by four. Their frantic style clearly flustered the Sooners, both in forcing numerous turnovers and wearing Oklahoma down as the game went on. Griffin could be seen trying to catch his breath before shooting free throws multiple times down the stretch, and he ended up missing his final four shots from the line.

Despite now having lost three of four, the Sooners still have a chance to claim a No. 1 seed in the tournament. Two of those losses were without their star, and they're still 26-4 on the year. They need to beat Oklahoma St. at home on Saturday though, and then have a good showing in the Big 12 Tournament.

Missouri improves to 12-3 in conference and remains undefeated at home on the year. They'll travel to Texas A&M in a challenging game to end the regular season. The Tigers are probably in line for a three seed after this win, but they could easily move up or down depending on how things shake out down the stretch.

Oklahoma Can't Keep Up With Missouri originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 04 Mar 2009 23:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>blake griffinBlakeGriffindemarre carrollDemarreCarrollJacob Wheatley-SchallerWed, 04 Mar 2009 23:30:00 EST