NCAA Basketball FanHouse

Big 12 Forces Its Way Into Nation's Elite

Terrance Harris — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, Texas, Texas Tech, Big 12, Missouri

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.

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.

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."

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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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Kansas Is Pick to Win Big 12

Terrance Harris — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:18:00 EST

Filed under: Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, Texas, Texas Tech, Big 12, Missouri

The 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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Texas, Kansas Claim Big Presence on ESPN's Big Monday Schedule

Terrance Harris — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:23:00 EST

Filed under: Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, Texas, Big 12, Media Watch, Missouri

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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NCAA Coaches Critical of NBA Age Limit

Terrance Harris — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:40:00 EST

Filed under: Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Big 12, NBA Prospects

Could the NBA and its minimum age requirement really be guilty of hypocrisy?

It certainly appears that way to Oklahoma coach Jeff Capel and some other Big 12 coaches after watching the most recent NBA Finals and seeing which NBA players were pushed as the faces of the league throughout the season.

The straight out of high school players, who are the type of players the NBA no longer wants to be associated with, are now carrying the torch for the world's best pro game.

"If you follow the NBA, if you look at the guys who are promoted as the face of the NBA, you are talking about Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwight Howard, Kevin Garnett," Capel said. "Those are four that jumped right out and none of those guys attended college and I don't think it hurt them."

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Most college coaches have been steamed for some time at the NBA rule that requires players to be at least 19 and one year removed from high school, thus giving birth to the sometimes destructive one-and-done college players.

Legendary basketball coach Bob Knight was one of the first big name coaches to boisterously speak out against the one-and-done phenomenon two years ago when he made the point that the NBA rule has opened the door for players to come to college and not be serious students. Other coaches have since joined the growing chorus.

The NBA, during its 2005 collective-bargaining agreement, passed the minimum age requirement to protect the integrity of its game. The NBA no longer has to bank on the pure potential of players who may or may not pan out. But the NBA's gain has become college basketball's problem.

"It's a bad rule, it's a really bad rule," said Capel, whose sophomore forward, Blake Griffin, is expected to be the first player taken in Thursday's NBA Draft. "In my opinion it makes a mockery of education in college and also I think it's condescending on the NBA's part."

Conversation about the feasibility of the rule has heated up with this year's NBA Draft upon us and the likelihood that up to three one-and-done players -- Memphis' Tyreke Evans, USC's DeMar DeRozan and UCLA's Jrue Holiday -- could be lottery picks and a fourth, Ohio State 7-foot center B.J. Mullens, could also go in the first round.

It also hasn't helped that the alleged actions of two former one-and-doners, Derrick Rose of Memphis and USC's O.J. Mayo, have threatened to rock their respective programs. Rose has been accused of cheating to get into Memphis, while there are illegal payment accusations surrounding Mayo, which caused head coach Tim Floyd to step down earlier this month.

Problems seem to be arising that college coaches didn't envision when the NBA instituted its minimum age requirement.

"I thought initially making kids go to school for a year was a good thing, but after the recent things that have occurred ... I don't think you can blame it all on one-and-done as the main reason things have occurred," said Kansas coach Bill Self. "Those things could have just as easily occurred if these kids were in school two or three years." "I think these kids should have the right to go straight from high school. To be quite honest with you, some of them aren't college material and the one-and-done rule makes a mockery of that."
-- Jeff Capel

But clearly what the college coaches seem to be asking for is some relief by the NBA. The obvious first choice is to allow high school students to go straight from graduation to the NBA riches. The second would be to require NBA players to be two or three years removed from high school.

"I do think there will be a movement to make it a year older," Self said. "My personal opinion is kids should be able to go straight out of high school or stay for three. I think it will move to two and that will be good because in all honestly is [if] somebody wanted to make a mockery of our education system, they could with the one-and-done, they could.

"You pass six hours in the fall and don't go to school in the spring, and next thing you know you are still eligible to play the whole year. It has been abused a little bit, but not sure the abuse we see is strictly because of the one-an-done."

Texas coach Rick Barnes has a unique perspective on the one-and-done players and how to keep academic integrity. He says he talks to perspective student-athletes who might have that opportunity to exit for the NBA early and explains if they do so that he is OK with their decision as long as they take care of their school work during that spring semester.

It worked with Kevin Durant, who left the Longhorns after one spectacular season in 2007. Barnes had the same conversation with D.J. Augustin, T.J. Ford and LaMarcus Aldridge. He hasn't had a problem with the NCAA and its APR guidelines.

"If a person told me they wouldn't do that then we wouldn't recruit them," Barnes said. "That's a decision we have to make it so we lay that out."

While the college game has been left holding the bag on these dilemmas, the NBA has just gone about its business. NBA commissioner David Stern has only offered that his league's primary concern is nurturing its game the right way and that is by bringing in experienced players. Players can get that experience either in college, the NBA Developmental League, and now Europe seems to be becoming an option.

Point guard Brandon Jennings raised some eyebrows last year when he left high school and went over to Europe for a year to play ball. And after an underwhelming season with Lottomatica Roma of Italy, Jennings seems poised to be a late lottery pick in Thursday's draft.

Self isn't sure Europe will be the answers, though the floodgates appear to be opening.

"People look at him and ask did it work? The jury is still out on if it worked," Self said. "You pay a 20-year-old young man a lot of money, but can he impact a professional team with 25 or 30-year-old men on it? That's hard to do. [Jennings] is obviously a great talent and everything but I don't know if teams in the future and the economic times, that guys are going to get million dollar deals over there.

"I think it's kind of pie in the sky with what a lot of people view overseas to be and it's not quite like that. Those are business people trying to make the best decisions. They're not just throwing away money."

But whose problem should it be if things don't work out overseas or if the NBA is forced to draft players on potential instead of proven talent or if players opt for pro riches before they are ready?

Capel says that burden should fall on the shoulders of the college basketball game. In the last two years Capel has had two freshmen who looked at the NBA but decided to return to school. Griffin considered the jump last summer and Big 12 Freshman of the Year Willie Warren weighed his options this spring before deciding to return next season.

"I sometimes think that we make a mistake and think that we have to save or protect kids from themselves," Capel said. "I don't agree with that, I just don't. I grew up with a father and mother, people that constantly taught me about choice and that you have to live with the choices and accept things that come along with your choices and that also include bad choices.

"I think these kids should have the right to go straight from high school. To be quite honest with you, some of them aren't college material and the one-and-done rule makes a mockery of that."

NCAA Coaches Critical of NBA Age Limit originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Big 12 Hoops Coaches Say League Will Be Best Next Season

Terrance Harris — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:58:00 EST

Filed under: Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, Texas, Texas Tech, Big 12, Missouri

The 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 a 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 Griffin Cleared to Play Saturday

Will Brinson — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 15:40:00 EST

Filed under: Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Texas Tech, Big 12, Coaches, Injuries, Media Watch

Blake Griffin has missed his team's last two games due to a concussion suffered against Texas, both of which were Oklahoma losses.

Needless to say, he's the most important part of one of the better teams in the nation.

Fortunately for the Sooners, Griffin has been cleared to play again, and will likely return against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on Saturday.

Griffin's absence was felt heavily with losses to Texas and Kansas, respectively, even if the Sooners did come close to winning both games.

There's been some discussion as to whether bringing back Griffin this quickly was the smart move, but Oklahoma coach Jeff Capel said that the training staff was satisfied by Griffin's physical, so one has to presume that he's recovered from the effects of the concussion.

Blake Griffin Cleared to Play Saturday originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sat, 28 Feb 2009 15:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Blake Griffin Returns to Practice, While Forward Juan Pattillo Gets Suspended

Will Brinson — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 22:45:00 EST

Filed under: Oklahoma, Texas, Texas Tech, Big 12, Coaches, Injuries

It's a win some, lose some kind of day for Oklahoma. On the downside, the Sooners suspended forward Juan Pattillo for Saturday's game against Texas Tech, further weakening an already depleted frontcourt.

But on the upside, that might be Oklahoma's temporarily depleted frontcourt.

While the Sooners were announcing news of Pattillo's suspension for violating an unspecified team rule, according to the Oklahoman, player of the year candidate Blake Griffin was doing something he hadn't done in almost a week -- playing basketball.

Griffin returned to practice Thursday for the first time since he suffered a rather large concussion against Texas last Saturday night. But, there's no guarantee that he'll be ready for this Saturday's game, according to Sooners head coach Jeff Capel, also via The Oklahoman.

Griffin sat out Monday's game against Kansas due to the injury, while Pattillo, whose developed into a nice complimetary player since turning in his redshirt 11 games ago, scored 15 points.

Pattillo will not play Saturday. Griffin probably shouldn't either.

Why? Well, for starters, the Sooners should be able to beat the Red Raiders without Griffin and Pattillo. Obviously losing Griffin hurts Oklahoma's chances in any game, but they certainly have the talent to take down Texas Tech without him. They did, after all, nearly "upset" Kansas with Griffin sitting on the bench.

Additionally, as I noted following the Kansas game, the Sooners need, more than anything else, to make sure Griffin is healthy when they head into the postseason. If Capel jumps the gun and puts him on the floor against the Red Raiders and he suffers further injury, it would be the worst coaching mistake of his young career.

Blake Griffin Returns to Practice, While Forward Juan Pattillo Gets Suspended originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 26 Feb 2009 22:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Texas Stops Griffin-less Oklahoma

Jacob Wheatley-Schaller — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 23:40:00 EST

Filed under: Oklahoma, Texas, Big 12

All the hype prior to Saturday night's primetime showdown between Texas and Oklahoma was focused on superstar Sooners forward Blake Griffin, but in the end it was two guards who stole the show, with Texas' sharpshooter getting the last laugh.

Griffin suffered an apparent concussion after taking an elbow to the nose midway through the first half, and didn't play at all in the second period, finishing with just two points on the night. The Longhorns went on a run right after the break to go up 12, but for a while it looked like freshman Oklahoma guard Willie Warren would be the star of the night, as he hit four threes in a 3:28 span to put OU up five.

A.J. Abrams had other ideas though, and in the final twist of the night he scored 16 straight Longhorns points, putting his team in position to hold on for a 73-68 victory.

Texas took a 34-29 lead into halftime, and a 5-0 run coming out of the break put them up 12. But then Oklahoma's offense, even without its star, came to life, led by Warren and junior Tony Crocker. The former finished with 27 points, including 17 in the second half. Among them were a deep three that he banked home with the shot clock running down, and one he incredibly made while hobbling on a busted ankle, falling down in pain as it swished through the net.

That final shot could've been devastating for the Longhorns, who desperately needed this game, but Abrams wouldn't let that happen. The battle-tested guard had a quiet first half, with just five points; Damion James was the star for Texas for most of the night, with 16 points and 10 boards, seven of them on the offensive end, before fouling out with 2:35 to go.

Abrams dominated the game down the stretch though, with 18 points in the game's last 8:02. The senior has played with an incredible amount of talent -- including LaMarcus Aldridge, Daniel Gibson, Kevin Durant and D.J. Augustin -- in his Texas career, but with all of them having moved onto the NBA, he's become the focal point of the Longhorns' offense. For a large part of their disappointing season that's been a problem, but it certainly wasn't tonight, as he was unstoppable from the perimeter down the stretch.

Oklahoma may have lost, but, given the circumstances, this was probably one of their most impressive performances of the year. Playing in Austin without the best player in the nation is tough to do, and the only thing that could stop the Sooners from coming away with a win was a ridiculous streak from one of the world's best shooters. Warren, a leading candidate for freshman of the year, was very impressive, and Crocker also stepped up with 14 points on 6-of-14 shooting. The Sooners are going to have to get over this loss quickly, as they have a surprisingly good Kansas team coming into Norman on Monday night. Griffin's status for that game is currently unknown

This was a huge win for the Longhorns, who were getting dangerously close to bubble territory after losing four of six. They're now 7-5 in the Big 12, and with non-conference wins over UCLA, Villanova and Wisconsin, they'll be back in the tournament, barring an unforeseen collapse.

Texas Stops Griffin-less Oklahoma originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sat, 21 Feb 2009 23:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Texas A&M Upends Texas

Will Brinson — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 23:30:00 EST

Filed under: Texas A&M, Texas, Big 12, Campus, Coaches

Rick Barnes' Texas team came into a Rivalry Week matchup against Texas A&M needing a big win to make sure they didn't find themselves on the oh-so-slippery NCAA Tournament bubble.

Instead, they got straight up punched in the mouth by their disregarded in-state rivals, as the Aggies used a balanced attack -- five different scorers hit double-figures -- to down the Longhorns, 81-66, Monday night.

Texas A&M's leading scorer this season, Josh Carter, got 11 points but shot poorly from the floor (3-of-14) and beyond the arc (3-of-9). Fortunately for the Aggies, the front court had his back, as Chinemelu Elonu and Bryan Davis each scored 15 poins while combining for 15 boards.

Despite being outrebounded by the Longhorns, 32-25, the Aggies were more efficient from the floor and the free throw line, hitting at an impressive 85.7% from the stripe as a team.

This was a game, too, that wasn't really ever close; the Aggies started to pull away near the end of the first half, taking a seven-point lead into the locker room. A few brief runs to open up the half let the Aggies really pull away, leading by as many as 19 points with about 13 minutes to go in the game.

The Longhorns were able to cut the lead down to four with seven minutes to go, but the Aggies pulled away again on the strength of their free-throw shooting. And Texas found itself bouncing quickly onto the bubble.

It seems crazy to think that the Longhorns won't make the tournament (Digger Phelps called them an "Elite Eight Team" at halftime!) but a win over the Aggies would have put them in the pole position for fourth in the Big 12. And if you look at their schedule, which features Kansas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Baylor and Texas Tech down the stretch, and you're Rick Barnes, there is most certainly a sudden cause for concern.

Texas A&M Upends Texas originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Mon, 16 Feb 2009 23:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Texas Beats Colorado to Avoid the Inexcusable Loss

Chas Rich — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 16:41:00 EST

Filed under: Texas, Big 12

Yes, yes, in conference play anything can happen. No. There are still some things that shouldn't occur. Colorado, which could only score nine points in one half against Iowa State this week and has only one win in the Big 12, should not shoot better than 50 percent in regulation and put a tremendous scare into Texas. Even in Boulder. Texas has to feel lucky to come away with an 85-76 overtime win.

Texas shot very well in the game. All season, they it has been an excellent defensive team, but struggled on offense. This time, though, the Longhorns could not play patient defense. They took dumb gambles and they were late on rotations. Colorado picked them apart, and drew the fouls, but in the end, the superior talent prevailed.
Texas did not help itself by being miserable at the free throw line, including Damion James missing two free throws with 1.6 seconds left that would have won the game. The Longhorns finished a weak 16-for-26 at the charity stripe. A.J. Abrams and Damion James combined to shred the Buffaloes from the field, putting in 50 points and shooting 20-for-33.

Texas, though, got little inside in terms of scoring, defense or rebounds. Texas' power forwards and center could only muster 14 points and three rebounds in total. Obviously, there was some impact from the fact that Colorado is a guard-oriented team that does not barrel into the lane, but the Longhorn big men were not active or effective.

Colorado was led by sophomore guard Cory Higgins going off for 34 points, doubling his scoring average. He shot well from outside and was highly effective penetrating and pulling up for jumpers.

The Big 12 has to breathe a sigh of relief that Texas won. The Longhorns would have put themselves right on the bubble with a loss. From a conference perspective, though, it also would have damaged the quality of wins for teams like Kansas State and Nebraska -- two teams trying to make a case for the NCAA Tournament. The Texas win was the signature win for both teams to this point, and a Longhorns loss to Colorado would have severely diminished those wins.

Texas Beats Colorado to Avoid the Inexcusable Loss originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sat, 14 Feb 2009 16:41:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Texas Pushed Closer to the Bubble

Jacob Wheatley-Schaller — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 16:25:00 EST

Filed under: Texas, Big 12

Just one week ago, you would've been laughed at for mentioning "Texas" and "bubble" in the same sentence. The Longhorns were 4-1 in the Big 12, 15-4 overall, and looked to be on track to claim a protected seed in the NCAA tournament. After three straight losses -- including Saturday afternoon's 58-55 defeat at the hands of Nebraska -- it's probably time to reassess that notion.

Texas held a seven-point lead at halftime, and was up 12 after a 5-0 run to begin the second half. But Nebraska chipped away at that, and the game was back and forth for the final eight minutes.

The Huskers took their first lead since 22-21 when Cookie Miller hit a 3-pointer with just over six minutes left to put them up 46-45. Two more threes, by Sek Henry and Ade Dagunduro -- both late in the shot clock, and the former from 25-feet out -- kept Nebraska in control down the stretch.

Texas star A.J. Abrams, who had 16 points, got the Longhorns within one with a trey from the top of the key with 34.4 remaining. He had a chance to put his team ahead on the next possession, but was harassed on the perimeter, before eventually attempting an off-balance jumper with a hand in his face.

With a 4-4 conference record, and early wins against UCLA, Villanova, and Wisconsin, the Longhorns are not yet in danger of missing the tournament, but they're getting dangerously close. To stay on the right side of the bubble discussion, they need to take at least two of their next three -- against Oklahoma St., Colorado, and Texas A&M -- before Oklahoma comes to Austin Feb. 21.

Rather surprisingly, Nebraska is starting to make a case that they too should be involved in bubble talk. The same team that lost at home to UMBC in December is now 5-4 in the Big 12, with home wins over both Texas and Missouri. With no notable non-conference wins, Nebraska will have to continue to beef up their Big 12 resume -- extending their current win streak to four next Saturday would be a big step in that direction.

Texas Pushed Closer to the Bubble originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sat, 07 Feb 2009 16:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mizzou Sends Texas to Second Consecutive Home Loss

Chas Rich — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 00:51:00 EST

Filed under: Texas, Big 12

Until Kansas State did it over the weekend, Texas had not lost at home in Big 12 action for nearly two years. The Longhorns had not suffered consecutive home losses since 2002. Finally Texas had not lost to the Missouri Tigers at home since 1999. So much for all of that, Missouri knocked off Texas 69-65.

Missouri pressured Texas all game, and forced the Longhorns into 15 turnovers. Meanwhile the Tigers had four players score in double figures. This included Zaire Taylor, a transfer from Delaware, who scored 17 points including a driving layup with 5.5 seconds left. Taylor was fouled as well and converted the free throw to put ice the game.
Texas struggled with scoring except when they got it inside to Dexter Pittman. Missouri simply couldn't stop the big man. He scored 25 points on 9-for-12 shooting and going 7-for-10 at the free throw line. Unfortunately the rest of the Longhorn team could barely break 33 percent shooting.

This was an important win for Missouri. While the Tigers have lots of wins, they do not have a lot of quality wins. This is their biggest of the season and puts them in solid shape to grab an at-large bid for the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2003.

Mizzou Sends Texas to Second Consecutive Home Loss originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 05 Feb 2009 00:51:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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K-State's Clemente Tears Texas

Chas Rich — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Kansas State, Texas, Big 12

Texas has been one of the better defensive teams in the country. The Longhorns have been very good at frustrating teams in shooting. They hold down the shooting percentages by contesting shots and clogging things inside.

They have also been extremely tough at home, with their last loss coming in December 2007 to Wisconsin. The Longhorns' last home conference loss came nearly two years ago to Kansas State -- until K-State did it to Texas again on Saturday, this time in overtime, 85-81.

Well it was not Kansas State, the team, so much as Denis Clemente single-handedly going off on the Longnhorns. Clemente scored 44 points, going a perfect 6-for-6 on threes and 12-for-12 on free throws. Texas just could not stop him and his backcourt partner Fred Brown, who scored 13 points on 5-for-8 shooting.

Clemente transferred from Miami, and sat out last year. He has been playing more and more since the Wildcats have gotten into conference play.

Aside from Clemente and Brown, the rest of the Wildcats scored 28 points and managed to shoot a dismal 24%. Mainly, they just threw up bricks to make sure Texas wouldn't try to completely cover Clemente.

Texas may have had four players score in double-digits, but Damion James and A.J. Abrams shot miserably to get their combined 34 points -- a combined 11-for-36. Abrams, especially, has struggled all season with his shot, as the primary scorer. He is shooting 39% on the year, but has shot 33% or worse in seven of the past eight games.

Texas had another game where they got very little production from their frontcourt after Gary Johnson. It allows defenses to stay tight on Abrams and James and not give them room to drive to the basket. Instead trying to force them put up jumpers.

K-State's Clemente Tears Texas originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sat, 31 Jan 2009 19:29:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ranking the Rankings: Wake Forest Claims the Top Spot; ACC, Big East Rule

Will Brinson — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 20:30:00 EST

Filed under: Boston College, Clemson, Duke, Georgetown, Oklahoma, Pittsburgh, Texas, UNC, Wake Forest, ACC, Big East, Coaches, Media Watch, North Carolina

Ranking the rankings criticizes the critics as soon as the polls come out.

It shouldn't come as a tremendous surprise that the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, the nation's only remaining undefeated team, are the consensus number one team in the nation. Oh wait, what's that? They're not the consensus team? Interesting.

They are close though -- Duke garnered four AP first place votes and six votes in the coaches poll to lock up the second overall ranking in both polls, while Connecticut and Pittsburgh rounded out the top four. Perhaps Coach K's media scathing resonated with more than just the News & Observer.

This is, the first time that Wake has been No. 1 since Chris Paul graced the hardwood of Lawrence Joel, but it's an interesting change because this is a completely different Deacon team, and one that's dominated by a youthful demeanor.

But, yes, in other words, when it comes to college basketball this year, there is the ACC, there is the Big East, and then there is everyone else. That's not to say that the ACC is necessarily better overall than the Big East; it's probably telling that the latter's two "best" (by record) teams are ranked lower (Louisville is 9 in the AP, 12 in the coaches', while Marquette is 11 and 10, respectively) than the two teams everyone else considers to be the favorites: UConn and Pitt.

North Carolina and Oklahoma round out the top five and while, yes, I may be known for piling on the Tar Heels ... well, I'm going to do it again. They whipped up on two bad teams in Virginia and Miami, they've lost both their tests and they're just not as tough on defense without Marcus Ginyard, who won't be around for the Clemson game. I understand that people have a really, really, really hard time not putting them in the top 10, and that's somewhat understandable, but putting them above Oklahoma, who recently pummeled Texas, seems like a bit of a stretch.

Ranking the Rankings: Wake Forest Claims the Top Spot; ACC, Big East Rule originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Mon, 19 Jan 2009 20:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Blake Griffin Notches 14th Dub-Dub as Oklahoma Topples Texas Monday Night

Will Brinson — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST

Filed under: Oklahoma, Texas, Big 12, NBA Prospects, Coaches, Media Watch

Blake Griffin is, in all likelihood, in the middle of his farewell tour, folks, so enjoy him while you can. Jeff Capel, Oklahoma head coach, did just that Monday night as the insanely talented sophomore picked up his NCAA leading 14th double-double to lead the Sooners over Rick Barnes and the Texas Longhorns in a decisive 78-63 win.

ESPN's broadcast got particularly spicy around halftime when Barnes decided to call his starters out for not trying hard enough on the floor; certainly they could have played better, but a strong first half effort from Griffin and the Sooners -- Texas ripped off an 11-1 run in the middle of the first half to close the gap within nine -- nearly put this one away before it could ever get good.

What it says about these two teams -- and the upper echelon of college basketball -- is that, despite the fifth and 11th-ranked teams overall, respectively, Oklahoma is currently the team to beat in the Big 12, and, I'm sorry, but right now it's just not that close. Now maybe that gap shortens when the show rolls to Austin, but Oklahoma's effort probably makes any coaches who put them below two-loss North Carolina feel a little awkward.

Blake Griffin Notches 14th Dub-Dub as Oklahoma Topples Texas Monday Night originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Arkansas Restores Home Hog Advantage

Chas Rich — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:33:00 EST

Filed under: Arkansas, Texas, Big 12, SEC

Arkansas knocked off a Big 12 team ranked in the top-10 for the second time in eight days. This time they beat Texas 67-61. The Razorbacks completely shut down A.J. Abrams and the Longhorns got very little from the other guards.

It has been nearly a year since Arkansas lost at Bud Walton Arena, running their home winning streak to seventeen. They have also run their record this season to 12-1 with the help of 11 home games in the non-conference slate.

This was supposed to be a major rebuilding year for Arkansas with six seniors gone along with Patrick Beverley was kicked off the team for academic problems -- mainly not bothering with the academics.

While this team had incoming talent, it has been a pleasant surprise to see how quickly they have gelled from the start of the season until now. Coach John Pelphrey may not have been the first choice of Arkansas (or even their third or fourth), but he has managed to clear a lot of problems from the Stan Heath era, along with excellent recruiting and even better coaching. Plus, he and the young Hogs have made Fayetteville a feared road game for opponents once more.

The big question is how they will fair on the road. They haven't left Fayetteville since late November. It's very common for a young team like Arkansas to struggle away from home.

Arkansas Restores Home Hog Advantage originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:33:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Michigan State Gets The Big Non-Con Win

Chas Rich — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: Michigan State, Texas, Big 12, Big Ten

Thank goodness CBS finally gave up the national coverage of the disappointing (unless you are a Duke fan) Duke-Xavier game. It gave most of the country a chance to see the final ten minutes or so of Michigan State-Texas. Michigan State came away with a 67-63 win with Durrell Summers hitting the go-ahead 3 with 18.6 seconds left.

Two teams with coaches that love to put challenging games in the non-conference schedule. This was the Spartans' fourth game from major conference foes in addition to a couple games from MVC teams. Texas has scheduled even tougher with this being the fifth of seven major conference challenges, plus St. Joe's from the A-10. Texas, however, had wins over Villanova and UCLA. Michigan State was blown out by UNC (like everyone else to date) and Maryland.

Michigan State has struggled without a healthy Goran Suton in the middle. In his second game back, he went 7-8 for 18 points and was able to check Texas' big men. His presence also helped keep A.J. Abrams from attacking the basket as easily.

Abrams and the other Texas guards struggled with miserable jump shooting. A combined 10-27, and only 3-11 on threes. Forward Gary Johnson had a big game, but there was not enough help on offense.

Michigan State Gets The Big Non-Con Win originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Sat, 20 Dec 2008 17:31:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Texas Beats UCLA in Premiere Game of Big XII/Pac-10 Hardwood Series

Shiloh Carder — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:02:00 EST

Filed under: Texas, UCLA, Big 12, Pac-10

No. 9 Texas jumped all over No. 8 UCLA early and held on for a 68-64 victory. A.J. Abrams scored 31 points and came down huge down the stretch for the Longhorns.

I'm a sucker for these conference battles. We just came off of the highly successful ACC/Big Ten Challenge which came after the ACC's much hyped series with the Big East. Not only does it settle some bragging rights, it allows schools to travel into unfamilar territories for exposure and recruiting. That's why this Big XII/Pac-10 Hardwood Series should do well.

It allows the Big XII to get a few games on the west coast and allows the Pac-10 schools to hit the south and midwest. With ESPN backing the series, it ups the exposure. It is also a great measuring stick to see how the conferences stack up.

The Big East and SEC have a different arrangement. They will bring just four teams from each of their conferences to play in "neutral site" games. Marquette-Tennessee and South Florida-Vanderbilt will be played in Nashville; Mississippi State-Cincinnati and Ole Miss-Louisville will be played in Cincinnati.

Texas Beats UCLA in Premiere Game of Big XII/Pac-10 Hardwood Series originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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North Carolina Wins Maui Invitational

Shiloh Carder — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 01:56:00 EST

Filed under: Indiana, Notre Dame, Texas, UNC, North Carolina

The 2008 Maui Invitational has come and gone with North Carolina stomping to the title.

North Carolina beat Notre Dame, 102-87, for the Maui championship. Tyler Hansbrough dropped in 34 points and tournament MVP Ty Lawson added 22 points and 11 assists. During this tournament, Lawson dished out 22 assists and turned the ball over just twice. Amazing.

The Heels flexed their muscle during the game. If not for Notre Dame's Kyle McAlarney nailing everything from everywhere in garbage time, this would have been another huge blowout.

North Carolina won all three games by an average of 29.7 points.

The '08 Maui Invitational will most likely be remembered for two things: blowouts and a missed half-court heave from Texas' D.J. Abrams against the Irish. Ten of the 12 games were decided by double digits; seven of which were decided by at least 18 points.

Here is the results in order: North Carolina, Notre Dame, Texas, Oregon, Alabama, St. Joseph's, Indiana and Chaminade. Indiana nearly fell to the host Silverswords (who are now 5-68 lifetime during the tournament), 81-79, in the seventh-place game. The Hoosiers were blown out in their first two games by an average of 32 points.

Next year should be a doozy, too. Louisville, Gonzaga, Wisconsin, Vanderbilt, Arizona, Maryland, Colorado and Chaminade will all be in Maui in 2009.

North Carolina Wins Maui Invitational originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Thu, 27 Nov 2008 01:56:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Maui Invitational Day 2 Recap: Notre Dame Squeaks By Texas While UNC Rolls

Shiloh Carder — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 03:25:00 EST

Filed under: Indiana, Notre Dame, Oregon, Texas, UNC, Alabama, North Carolina

Well, I guess all the college basketball honks get what they wanted: Luke Harangody's Notre Dame Fighting Irish facing off against Tyler Hansbrough and the North Carolina Tar Heels for the Maui Invitational championship.

Notre Dame 81, Texas 80: Harangody poured in 29 points and grabbed 11 boards in the win for the Irish. Notre Dame had to watch an A.J. Abrams half-court heave hit the front of the rim before celebrating their hard-fought win. The Irish made this game closer than it should have been as they missed 11 of their 21 free throw attempts. This is the only one of the eight games played in the Maui Invitational to have a margin of victory under 18 points.

North Carolina 98, Oregon 69: The Heels jumped all over Oregon early with aggressive defense and an offense that, when ran the way Roy Williams wants, looks unstoppable. Danny Green led the way again with 21 points.

Alabama 78, Chaminade 56: Bama used a 23-2 run to create seperation from the Silverswords. Senario Hillman set a career-high with 22 points.

St. Joseph's 80, Indiana 54: It's going to be a long year in Bloomington. How many Hoosier fans out there are scared that Indiana may lose to Chaminade tomorrow? Show of hands!

Today is the final day in Maui and there are some interesting games on the slate. Indiana will try to avoid further embarassment against Chaminade; Texas and Oregon should have a track meet for a game; Alabama and St. Joe's try to get another win; Oh and North Carolina vs Notre Dame.

Maui Invitational Day 2 Recap: Notre Dame Squeaks By Texas While UNC Rolls originally appeared on NCAA Basketball FanHouse on Wed, 26 Nov 2008 03:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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