Belated CBB

PYB apologizes to its newest correspondent for not getting his Big 12 preview up until after Saturday's games, but when an alcohol-laced Phoenix Open weekend is involved deadlines are easily missed.

We look forward to some pictures from the KU vs. NU bottle blasting, and say that all is not lost as NU sits at 3-5 in conference play. With the next three games at Baylor and against Oklahoma State and Oklahoma, winning at least two is an absolute must. A road win in Waco seems unlikely against the more athletic Bears, but is possible given their low-scoring ways.

Why TCU and Boise St are Bad for College Basketball
By Seth Svoboda

The only way to prepare for a nice long weekend of Big 12 basketball is a late Friday night online poker session. I crawled into bed ready to take over the world one sit-and-go at a time. As usual my ultra aggressive style helped me jump out to an early chip lead. Next thing I knew it was 4:30 and my wife was taking my glasses off of my face and I was sitting up in bed with the computer in front of me. I fell asleep in the middle of the tournament and obviously lost all my chips and money. A new dad like myself can't stay up past 11:00 unless changing diapers is involved.

Back to the basketball, every weekend from here on out becomes very crucial. We're halfway into conference play and each loss becomes harder and harder to overcome. Teams are fighting for higher seeds in the conference tournament and trying to get a look from the NCAA tournament. Nationally, the Big 12 isn't getting much respect, outside of KU and Texas. This is bad for the conference because it swallows NCAA bids and ships them to less-qualified teams.

The recent success of TCU and Boise State in football makes people think that we've been overlooking the little guy for all these years. While they do deserve a shot, don't get carried away. I know everyone has a hard-on for Jimmer Fredette, but let's be reasonable--BYU and San Diego State are quality teams and will play tough in the tournament. But they are both ranked higher than Purdue, Villanova, and Georgetown?

If you think they are better than those teams on a neutral court you just keep drinking the mothership kool-aid, and my bracket will prevail come tournament time. BYU and San Diego St are good teams and deserve high seeds in tournament (3-5 seeds if we are honest with ourselves), but I'm sure the committee will give at least one of them a two seed. The ACC is also perceived as being down this year and that might cost them a berth or two. I don't want to see six bids coming from the Mountain West. What sounds better to you, Maryland vs Kansas State or Air Force vs Idaho?

Let's take a look at the Big 12 today:

Oklahoma @ Oklahoma State

Oklahoma has won four straight games in Big 12 play and that is no easy task. Beating Baylor earlier this week was impressive for the Sooners, but they are such a poor rebounding team (12th) and near the bottom in ppg (10th). Oklahoma State has momentum of their own having beat Mizzou by 16 this week. Their only loss in conference play this year was against Texas. Look for Oklahoma State to seal this one at the free throw line with Keiton Page late. Pick...Oklahoma State 77-71

Kansas State @ Iowa State

Kansas State won impressively over Nebraska Wednesday. The Huskers really never had a chance to win, it was a balanced attack from KSU with three players in double figures. I blasted Kansas State last week for quitting on the season but I am eating those words and although James H. Hilton Coliseum is normally a tough place to play, it's not with this Iowa St squad.
Pick...Kansas State 84-72

Baylor @ Texas A&M

These are two tough teams to figure out. Both are loaded with talent but have underperformed thus far. Baylor is led by Lacedarius Dunn but he was injured early in the game against Oklahoma and should play, but likely is 100%. The issue for Baylor is poor starts to games. They came back from after being down huge against Colorado and then it took a 24-3 run to make the Oklahoma game close. Texas A&M is coming off a dissappointing loss in Lincoln last weekend followed by an embarrassment at home on Monday against Texas. I don't trust Baylor and I hate road teams. Pick Texas A&M...69-61

Kansas @ Nebraska

This feels like a tough spot for the Huskers, they are coming off their worst game of the season at Kansas State and Kansas is rolling on the road. Kansas recently played that same Kansas State team and outclassed them on every level en route to an easy 90-66 win. It seems like every year Nebraska plays tough in Lawrence and gets run out of the gym when the two meet in Lincoln. This could be a tough game and Nebraska has a chance, they've won 14 straight at Devaney. Just like Texas ended Kansas home winning streak, Kansas ends the Husker's. Pick...Kansas 72-57

Colorado @ Missouri

This is a battle between two of the top three scoring offenses in the conference. When these teams met in Boulder early in conference play Alec Burks had a career high 36 points which catapulted the Buffs to an upset at home 89-76. Cory Higgins also had 18 in the contest and Colorado was able to break the Missouri press effectively. Colorado also beat Missouri up on the boards 47-33. Missouri is a team that continues to carry a high ranking that is based mostly on reputation and star power; Marcus Denmon, Kim English, Laurence Bowers. It feels like Missouri is poised for a big win at home in a payback game. Pick...Missouri 84-72

Texas Tech @ Texas

Tech has managed 3 wins in conference play so far, but two were narrow victories over Nebraska and Oklahoma State at home. Their other victory a road win over hapless Iowa State was a shootout 92-83. Mike Singletary is a really solid player and he leads the team in ppg and rebounds, but other than an occasional hot shooting game from John Roberson there just aren't many good options for this team. Texas on the other hand is packed full of studs.

I am under the impression that this is the most talented team in the nation. They played one poor game where they lost on the road to USC, they're other two losses were at Pitt and at UConn by three points combined. The trio underneath of for Texas will be just too strong for Tech and if you want to see an exciting player pay attention to Jai Lucas. When he comes into the game for Texas it becomes a track meet and Texas wins every time. It won't be as ugly as the previous matchup won by Texas by 31 in Lubbock but it might be close...Pick Texas 88-64