A few Big 12 thoughts

**EggMcClone** · 12-26-2006, 10:21 AM

I got to watch a little bit of basketball this past week and we're starting to get closer to the conference season. What are you thinking?

K-State looks like a completely different team with Bill Walker. I watched some of their games in Las Vegas and although he didn't do much in the 2nd game his presence really did open it up for the rest of the team. Apparently adding him and moving to a neutral court is worth a 40 point swing between the two games against New Mexico this year. I don't see them winning the conference but it wouldn't really shock me if they snuck in and grabbed that fourth bye in the Big 12 tourney and they have the most upside from what they've shown so far.

KU looked like they put it together against BC but will it last? They've looked this good at other times this year. When they are playing their best they can beat anybody.

Mizzou has surprised me the most and I'm dreading what their pressure D will do to our guards. It could easily get pretty ugly. They were blown out in their only road game so far so I wish we opened with them at home instead of on the road.

The other surprises might be that OSU and Tech are a little better than I thought they would be.

Colorado...well, I'm glad they should be behind us no matter how the conference season goes.

It's going to be an interesting season. I think ISU can pick up some wins but I can guarantee there will be some really frustrating losses. The final record may be pretty bad but as long as they're learning and getting experience I can deal with that.

**Wesley** · 12-26-2006, 06:53 PM

Nebraska is much better this year.

**ajk4st8** · 12-26-2006, 08:23 PM

We shall finish around 10th... ahead of Baylor and Colorado.

**CrossCyed** · 12-26-2006, 08:46 PM

Baylor will likely finish ahead of us.

**EggMcClone** · 12-26-2006, 09:02 PM

I haven't seen Nebraska play yet. They're 1-3 on the road but that Creighton win looks nice. They also have a decent win over Wyoming.

**Cyclonepride** · 12-26-2006, 10:56 PM

I'm going with 2-6 the first half, 4-4 the second half.....good for 6-10 in the league and a 9th place finish.

**cyclonedcm** · 12-27-2006, 08:01 AM

I believe that McDermott has a few surprises up his sleeve for the Big 12 regular season.

**cycloneworld** · 12-27-2006, 08:08 AM

I haven't had the chance to watch as much Big 12 basketball as I would have liked but here are my thoughts:

Overall, the league is improving. It's still very young but that doesn't mean anything anymore as good players won't stick around for more than 1-3 years. It's nice to see 3 teams hovering around the top 10.

Okie State looks pretty good. They have a couple quality wins at their only loss is to Tennessee on the road by 2. They have played a lot of cupcakes though.

While their record is 9-2, I'm not so sure Missouri will be anything to write home about. With wins over NC A&T, Army, Stetson (isn't that a cheap cologne?), Lipscomb, Davidson, SFA, Coppin State, Arkansas, and Evansville and losses to at Purdue (their only road game of the NC schedule) and Illinois. They will have played 13 of their first 14 games at home...which will not help on the road in the Big 12.

As for Kansas State, see above. They did win at USC but lost at Cal and at Colorado State. I think they will be up and down this year. Question: Why did they play New Mexico twice in their NC schedule?

Nebraska is improving (but still not good). I still think we will finish above BU. And Colorado is just plain bad.

I think the standings will be something like this:
Kansas
Texas A&M
OSU
Texas
Texas Tech
Mizzou
KSU
OU
ISU
Nebraska
Baylor
CU

With a BIG cap between 4 and 5. And I think the Big 12 only gets 4 into the NCAA tournament.

**EggMcClone** · 12-27-2006, 08:58 AM

They had a game scheduled at New Mexico and then ran into them in a Vegas tournament that also had USC and Wichita State.

**ajjohnson** · 12-27-2006, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by cycloneworld

I think the standings will be something like this:
Kansas
Texas A&M
OSU
Texas
Texas Tech
Mizzou
KSU
OU
ISU
Nebraska
Baylor
CU

With a BIG cap between 4 and 5. And I think the Big 12 only gets 4 into the NCAA tournament.

Kansas is a very heavy favorite to win because they have the best possible schedule. They get A&M, Texas and Okie State at home and get to play Tech, Baylor, and Oklahoma on the road. If it was reversed I would say A&M would have even odds to win. We have the reverse schedule as Kansas, but for us that is a good thing since we have a lot better shot of beating Baylor, Tech and Oklahoma at home, and will be set up with a favorable schedule next year when we could possibly take advantage of it. On a side note Mizzou is led by Mike Taylors Juco backcourt running mate, hes having a lot better year than Taylor right now. I think "Dollar" Bill will make Kansas State a lot tougher and the conference gets 5 in. It hurts to say, but heres my guess:

1 Kansas 13-3
2 Texas A&M 12-4
3 OSU 11-5
4 Texas 9-7
5 KSU 9-7
6 Mizzou 8-8
7 Baylor 7-9
8 Texas Tech 7-9
9 Nebraska 7-9
10 OU 6-10
11 ISU 5-11 (4-4 home 1-7 road)
12 CU 2-14

**CyBandCG** · 12-28-2006, 02:06 PM

I really do think ISU surprised some people, especially here in Ames. I think they will have a winning record in the conference at home, something like 5-3 or even 6-2. But they will struggle on the road. But they won't start a conference losing streak like we saw end a few years ago. This team has the ability to make some surprises.

As for the conference, the players are Kansas, A&M, OSU, and Texas. For some reason I think Tech might make a good run, but that is just a weird feeling. I really have not see any of the other Big 12 teams play but it should be interesting season. Of course GO CYCLONES!!