Colorado

Big 12 Basketball: 5-Year Ranking

Shawn Siegel — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:14:50 -0500

BIG 12 FIVE-YEAR STANDINGS

CHN's annual 5-year ranking answers a simple question is in a simple manner: Who has been the best team in the Big 12 over the last five years?

Teams get points for league wins, making the postseason (NIT or NCAA) and winning games in the Big Dance. NIT wins are meaningless here, as are non-conference wins. Also, league tournaments wins are not taken into account. (An original trial-scoring system included points for conference tourney wins. But the flukish nature of these tourney's did more harm than hurt: ie, 2008 Georgia, 2006 Syracuse, and 2004 Maryland ended up getting too much credit despite the reality that they were mediocre to sub-par teams.)

100 total points is set up to be the equivalent of batting .300 in baseball.. anything above and beyond is all-world stuff. 50 points is mediocre and you only start to get bad below 40 points.

Pos.	Was	Team	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	Wins	Gms.	Points

1	1	Kansas	12	13	14	13	14	66	80	83	Win %
			1st Round	1st Round	Elite 8	Champs	Sweet 16			30	Post Pts.
										113

2	2	Texas	9	13	12	13	9	56	80	70	Win %
			1st Round	Elite 8	2nd Round	Elite 8	2nd Round			26	Post Pts.
										96

3	5	Oklahoma	12	11	6	9	13	51	80	64	Win %
			2nd Round	1st Round	X	2nd Round	Elite 8			18	Post Pts.
										82

4	6	Texas A&M	8	10	13	8	9	48	80	60	Win %
			NIT	2nd Round	Sweet 16	2nd Round	2nd Round			19	Post Pts.
										79

5	3	Okla. State	11	6	6	7	9	39	80	49	Win %
			Sweet 16	NIT	NIT	NIT	2nd Round			13	Post Pts.
										62

6	7	Kansas St	6	6	10	10	9	41	80	51	Win %
			X	X	Nit	2nd Round	NIT			6	Post Pts.
										57

7	4	Texas Tech	10	6	9	7	3	35	80	44	Win %
			Sweet 16	2nd Round	1st Round	X	X			12	Post Pts.
										56

8	8	Missouri	7	5	7	6	12	37	80	46	Win %
			NIT	X	X	X	Elite 8			9	Post Pts.
										55

9	10	Nebraska	7	7	6	7	8	35	80	44	Win %
			X	NIT	X	NIT	NIT			3	Post Pts.
										47

10	9	Iowa St	9	6	6	4	4	29	80	36	Win %
			2nd Round	X	X	X	X			4	Post Pts.
										40

11	12	Baylor	1	4	4	9	5	23	80	29	Win %
			X	X	X	1st Round	NIT			3	Post Pts.
										32

12	11	Colorado	4	9	3	3	1	20	80	25	Win %
			X	NIT	X	X	X			1	Post Pts.
										26

Was = Last year's rankig

-Ties are broken by favoring conference winning %

Big 12 Thoughts

- Texas Tech continues to tumble down the ranking after a weak 3-win season.

- Texas A&M is comfortably in 4th. They've made the 2nd round of the tourney 4 years in a row, something that only Texas can also claim.

- Kansas has won 83% of Big 12 games, one of the best rates of any BCS team.

Postseason Points

NIT = 1

NCAA 1st Round = 2

NCAA 2nd Round = 4

Sweet = 6

Elite 8 = 8

Final Four = 10

Final = 11

Champs = 12

Other 5-Year Rankings

ACC

Poll: Who Will Win the Big 12?

Shawn Siegel — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:01:48 -0400

Big 12 Basketball: Fantasy Preview

Shawn Siegel — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:48:34 -0400

This is the 2nd of six fantasy stats projections of BCS conference starters. One of my favorite series of the year, and a helpful guide when drafting for fantasy college basketball leagues. For an idea of whether I know what I'm talking about, check out last year's Big 12 Stats Projection. As always, some teams were nailed better then others.. Baylor & Texas A&M were rock solid, Kansas though was particularly weak (underestimated both Collins & Aldrich.)

Keep in mind stats are highly dependent on minutes, and freshmen are obviously the hardest to predict. I try to note places below where other starters not listed may emerge. Stats are listed by ppg, rpg, and then apg.

BIG 12

BAYLOR

G Tweety Carter - 13, 4, 4
G LaceDarius Dunn - 17, 5, 1

G Nolan Dennis - 10, 3, 2
F Quincy Acy - 11, 6, 1

F Ekpe Udoh - 10, 7, 1

Notes: I don't expect Dunn's ppg to rise that much as Baylor should be a more well-rounded team this year. Udoh never averaged more than 6 ppg at Michigan, but should do better than that.

COLORADO

G Cory Higgins - 19, 6, 4
G Nate Tomlinson - 8, 4, 4
G Dwight Thorne II - 12, 4, 3
F Austin Dufault - 12, 5, 1
C Shane Harris-Tunks - 9, 7, 1

Notes: Higgins quietly put up big time numbers last year and could be one of the Big 12's top fantasy guys. Expect Dufault's game to take a step forward.

IOWA STATE

G Diante Garrett - 10, 3, 6
G Lucca Staiger - 12, 3, 3
F Craig Brackins - 19, 11, 1

F Marquis Gilstrap - 13, 6, 2
F Jamie Vanderbeken - 9, 5, 1

Notes: Brackins put up 20 ppg last year, but I expect his scoring to come down a bit as his surrounding cast improves. Gilstrap, a Juco transfer, could put up some of the best numbers from any newcomer.

KANSAS
G Sherron Collins - 18, 4, 7

G Tyshawn Taylor - 11, 3, 3
G Xavier Henry - 14, 5, 3
F Marcus Morris - 9, 6, 1
F Cole Aldrich - 17, 10, 1

Notes: Xavier Henry is the big-time recruit who should help take the pressure off of Collins to score. Markieff Morris should also put up worthwhile numbers off the bench.

KANSAS STATE

G Jacob Pullen - 15, 3, 4
G Denis Clemente - 16, 3, 5

F Dominque Sutton - 9, 6, 1
F Jamar Samuels - 12, 6, 1
F Wally Judge - 9, 6, 1

Notes: Samuels could be the team's most improved fantasy performer from last year. Judge is a heralded freshman, but don't expect him to blow up the stat sheet.

MISSOURI

G Zaire Taylor - 10, 4, 5

G Kim English - 13, 3, 2
G JT Tiller - 11, 3, 4
F Keith Ramsey - 7, 5, 1
F Justin Safford - 9, 6, 2

Notes: English's production could double now that he moves into the starting 5. Safford showed off his range in the post-season, but he'll certainly have his off nights.

NEBRASKA

G Lance Jeter - 7, 4, 3
G Sek Henry - 9, 3, 3
G Ryan Anderson - 11, 4, 3
G Toney McCray - 9, 4, 2
F Christopher Niemann - 11, 6, 1

Notes: Anderson's scoring has actually dropped each year, but I expect a bounce-back senior campaign. Niemann is a newcomer who sat out last season, but will be expected to contribute from day one.

OKLAHOMA

G Tommy Mason-Griffin - 10, 3, 7

G Willie Warren - 17, 4, 4
G Tony Crocker - 12, 4, 2
F Keith Gallon - 10, 7, 2
F Orlando Allen - 7, 5, 1

Notes: Warren should be helped by the addition of Mason-Griffin, a pg who can distribute the ball. "Tiny" Gallon has huge potential, but might not hit his statistical stide until next season.

OKLAHOMA STATE

G Ryan Penn - 7, 2, 4
G James Anderson - 20, 6, 3
G Obi Muonelo - 15, 8, 2
F - Marshall Moses - 10, 7, 1

F - Matt Pilgrim - 8, 5, 1

Notes: Eaton's departure leaves a big hole at PG. Penn is not a lock starter, as he'll face competition for those minutes. Without many other options, Anderson could be the Big 12's scoring leader.

TEXAS

G Avery Bradley - 12, 3, 3
G Jai Lucas - 9, 4, 4
F Damion James - 17, 10, 2
F Gary Johnson - 12, 8, 1
C Dexter Pittman - 13, 9, 1

Notes: Justin Mason, who started last year, could return to the starting lineup, relegating Johnson to the 6th man role. Texas has another viable fantasy option off the bench in Jordan Hamilton, a wing who can really score the ball.

TEXAS A&M

G Donald Sloan - 14, 4, 5
G Derrick Roland - 8, 3, 3
G BJ Holmes - 10, 3, 2

F David Loubeau - 10, 7, 1
F Bryan Davis - 13, 8, 1

Notes: Loubeau only played 14 mpg last year, but should see double the time now that Elonu moves on. Davis' numbers should be right there with just about every big-man in the league besides Aldrich.

TEXAS TECH

G John Roberson - 16, 4, 6
G Nick Okorie - 10, 3, 2
F Mike Singletary - 14, 7, 2
F Brad Reese - 11, 4, 2
F Robert Lewandowski - 10, 6, 1

Notes: Reese is a Juco newcomer known for scoring the ball. Despite a lack of notoriety, Roberson's numbers are some of the best you'll find in the backcourt.

Projected Big 12 Leaders

Top PPG
1) James Anderson (20)
2) Craig Brackins (19)
3) Cory Higgins (19)

Top RPG
1) Craig Brackins (11)
2) Cole Aldrich (10)

3) Damion James (10)

Top APG
1) Sherron Collins (7)
2) Tommy Mason-Griffin (7)

3) Diante Garrett/John Roberson (6)

Fantasy Stats Preview Archive

- ACC

Cheerleader of the Day: Colorado

Shawn Siegel — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:43:05 -0400

Each day (just about), CollegeHoops.net features a Cheerleader (or Dancer) of the Day. Today's picture is courtesy of Icon Sports Media. Check out the archive for more

-- COLORADO

More Cheerleaders!
>>		>>		>>

- Check out past Cheerleaders of the Day!

- Also check out the Picture of the Day!

- Watch all of CHN's favorite College Basketball Videos!

Big 12 Basketball: High-Low Preview

Shawn Siegel — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:35:36 -0400

Everybody loves a prediction. It's a fact. People that claim to hate sports predictions are just jealous that no one cares what they have to say (or their predictions are never right). But sometimes when making predictions, certain teams or groups of teams are truly to close to call. On CHN or in preview mags, we do our best to slot teams into specific spots, but sometimes you just want to say honestly, teams A, B, and C are virtually the same and luck will determine how they finish. You can't say that in a Top 144 ranking, but I'm saying it here in a series of High-Low predictions, which includes a range for each team's finish and a few reasons why.

(How about the high production values with that picture?..)

BIG 12 HIGH-LOW

While it's hard to see anyone knocking Kansas out of the top spot, there's a ton of parity between teams 3 through 9.

* my projected finish in yellow

BAYLOR
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
On the one hand, Baylor "seems" like a program on the rise that is on pace to finish in the upper half of the league.. on the other hand you have a 5-11 team losing almost 40 ppg worth of scoring. One of the more perplexing teams to project.

COLORADO
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
After winning just 1 game last year, Colorado has to be better. But in a league that's so talented, it's hard to expect much more then 3-4 wins. Next year, the program should finally take a step up.

IOWA STATE
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
With a star player in Craig Brackins and a coach I respect in Greg McDermott, the pieces are in place for Iowa State to surprise some people in 2010. Should be right there with likes of Mizzou and A&M fighting for the final tourney bid.

KANSAS
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
The only team in the series so far without a high-low range.. it's almost impossible to imagine Texas or anyone else taking the top spot barring a horrible injury streak.

KANSAS STATE
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
K-State has finished over .500 in league play for 3 straight seasons, a streak which should continue in 2010. For the team to have a special season, one of transfer Curtis Kelly or freshman Wally Judge will need to emerge as a legit frontcourt force.

MISSOURI
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
After three rather blah years, Mizzou broke out in a big way with an Elite 8 run last year. Now that they've lost their 3 best players, opinion differs across the board about how far the Tigers will fall.

NEBRASKA
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
Nebraska usually manages to a) be slightly better then you expect, but b) still not good. On paper, this looks like a last-place contender, but yet you know they'll somehow win 6 or 7 league games.

OKLAHOMA
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
It's not easy overcoming the loss of your leading scorer, top 3 rebounders, and leading assist guy. Helping ease the pain is a top-notch recruiting class, but a slide to 6th is certainly not out of the question.

OKLAHOMA STATE
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
The Coyboys have a lot of talented players, but the big hole at PG following the graduation of Byron Eaton may prevent them from being a serious contender. Will be a bubble tourney team in the mold of A&M & Oklahoma.

TEXAS
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
Outside of KU, Texas is the only Big 12 team whose front-court can compete at an elite level. It will be the impact of new guards Avery Bradley, Jai Lucas, and J'Covan Brown that determines if the Horns can make a serious March run.

TEXAS A&M
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
Like the two teams above, A&M loses its best player in Josh Carter, but is still in line for a tourney bid. Even without Chinemelu Elonu, the likes of Bryan Davis and David Loubeau should more then hold their own in a league that is guard-heavy.

TEXAS TECH
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
There's no reason to expect much out of Tech this year. Their talent is sub-par and their coach has yet to prove he's capable. 4-5 league wins seems about right.

>> ACC: High-Low Preview

>> Big Ten: High-Low Preview

College Basketball Preview - 144 Teams in 144 Days - Preview Interviews

Cheerleader of the Day: Colorado

Shawn Siegel — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:26:23 -0400

Each day (just about), CollegeHoops.net features a Cheerleader (or Dancer) of the Day. Today's picture is courtesy of Icon Sports Media. Check out the archive for more

-- COLORADO

More Cheerleaders!
>>		>>		>>

- Check out past Cheerleaders of the Day!

- Also check out the Picture of the Day!

- Watch all of CHN's favorite College Basketball Videos!

Thursday/Friday Football Preview

Raphielle Johnson — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:47:10 -0400

Thursday night delivers an ACC showdown that could very well be repeated in December. Clemson (1-0) visits Atlanta to take on #15 Georgia Tech (1-0) (7:30 PM on ESPN), and it's fitting that a Yellow Jacket team that rarely gets the national spotlight plays on national television...opposite the NFL season opener. Jonathan Dwyer and company made short work of Jacksonville State last Saturday, but they'll face a defense some think may be the best in the ACC. A stat to watch tonight: turnovers, which played a significant role in last year's meeting.

In the Tigers' first game under Dabo Swinney the two teams combined for eight turnovers (six for Clemson) in the 21-17 Georgia Tech victory. Coach Paul Johnson's option attack will put the ball on the ground, a definite risk for any option offense due to the increased ballhandling responsibilities. If Kyle Parker can't take care of the football Clemson will be in trouble. The sophomore has weapons to get the ball to as well, beginning with senior running back C.J. Spiller. Spiller scored the first time he touched the football in last week's opener, taking back a kickoff 96 yards. He and Dwyer are possibilities for the Heisman and the Doak Walker, and tonight provides a national stage on which to show their wares.

Ten of the last thirteen games in this series have been decided by five points or less, meaning that there's a very good chance that this one won't be decided until late. The Yellow Jackets will likely win the time of possession battle due to their offense, but Clemson will have to do much better than their 2.1 yards per carry showing in last year's meeting. If they can run the ball with some consistency Clemson can steal one in Atlanta. But at the end of the day, Georgia Tech has the look of a better football team.

Colorado @ Toledo (Friday at 9 PM, ESPN)

Out of necessity (Miami University pulled out of a home-and-home deal to play Kentucky in Cincinnati, losing said game 42-0) the Buffaloes make the voyage east to the Glass Bowl in hopes of rebounding from their loss to in-state rival Colorado State. The two have never met on the football field, and given what Purdue was able to do against the Rockets Colorado QB Cody Hawkins could be in for a good night. Colorado also has options in the backfield thanks to the presence of backs Demetrius Sumler, and Rodney Stewart.

Purdue did whatever they wanted on the ground last weekend, rushing for 315 yards (8.1 yards per carry) in beating Toledo by three touchdowns. The yardage total had been reached just twice in the 12-year tenure of the retired Joe Tiller. The Buffs were a major disappointment last weekend, rushing for just twenty-nine yards on twenty-one attempts against CSU. Falling behind 14-0 early may have had something to do with that, but truth be told there's no excuse given the talent in the Colorado backfield. If CU comes out lethargic against Toledo they'll be in trouble once again.

Tim Beckman's Rockets can put some points up on the board and QB Aaron Opelt threw for 435 yards last weekend, so Colorado should be on notice. Toledo has the ability to get things done through the air, and the rushing game may prove to be better than it showed last week provided they not fall behind 21-0. Colorado won't be as explosive through the air, making it imperative that they run the ball effectively. Look for Coach Hawkins' team to survive a tough road test. If they don't, the heat under his chair gets turned up a bit.

The Ultimate Schedule: Big 12 North

Raphielle Johnson — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 22:00:31 -0400

Big 12 Schedule “Rules”:

- Four non-conference games

- Eight conference games (three against the South Division)

- Big 12 Championship Game

Week 1: Missouri vs. Illinois (September 5^th in St. Louis)

These two rivals will once again get together in St. Louis, but there’s a little more urgency for both fan bases since next year’s meeting will signal the end of the series for the time being. The Tigers have won the last two, but some of the key offensive figures in those wins are now out of eligibility. Blaine Gabbert will make his first start as a Tiger against an Illinois team looking to redeem itself following a disappointing 5-7 2008. Both teams will step onto the field with something to prove; it will be interesting to see how this all plays out.

Other Game Considered: Colorado State @ Colorado (9/6)

Week 2: Iowa @ Iowa State (September 12^th)

Despite how poorly the Cyclones have played the last two seasons the battle for the Cy-Hawk Trophy is usually a spirited one. But despite a dismal 5-19 overall record the departed Gene Chizik did leave with a split of two games with the Hawkeyes. New head coach Paul Rhoads takes over the rebuilding project with ISU back in the familiar role of underdog. In this series the Cyclones have won seven of the last eleven with the most recent triumph coming in Ames on a last-second field goal in 2007. Not much is expected of Austen Arnaud and company while Iowa is expected by many to finish in the top half of the Big Ten. Another upset? In rivalry games you never know.

Other Game Considered: Kansas @ UTEP (9/12)

Week 3: Nebraska @ Virginia Tech (September 19^th)

Last season’s meeting was a barnburner in Lincoln, with the eventual ACC champions leaving with a 35-30 victory. Unfortunately for Nebraska the defeat was the first of three straight losses (Missouri and Texas Tech), but in closing their season 6-1 the Cornhuskers have shown that they’re close to turning the corner under Bo Pelini. A win in Blacksburg, one of the nation’s toughest places to play as a visitor, would be a sure sign that Nebraska is well on their way “back”.

Zac Lee will be facing his first significant road test, but I-backs Roy Helu Jr. and Quentin Castille have the talent needed to take some of the pressure off of the signal-caller. Defense and special teams will also be important if the Huskers are to prevail; if Tech QB Tyrod Taylor is allowed to run roughshod it will be a long day for Nebraska. All in all this is a very good test for a team hoping to win the North Division.

Other Games Considered: Kansas State @ UCLA (9/19), Duke @ Kansas (9/19)

Week 4: Bye Week (September 26^th)

Southern Miss visiting Kansas and Missouri visiting Nevada would be good games to take in, but will either be as tough a test as Colorado visiting West Virginia on October 1^st? No other matchups on the slate for this weekend have as much appeal, so it’s a good time to take a week to recharge the batteries.

Week 5: Colorado @ West Virginia (October 1^st)

The 17-14 overtime win for the Buffs last September was thought by some to be a sign that head coach Dan Hawkins had Colorado headed back towards the top of the Big 12 North. But CU was plagued by inconsistent play in just about every phase of the game and was unable to mount a serious challenge within the division. Now they hit the road to take on a team that’s undergoing a bit of a transformation.

Noel Devine is still in Morgantown but Pat White isn’t, leaving the quarterbacking duties to Jarrett Brown. Brown is 2-0 as a starter and saw time in other games due to the occasional injuries suffered by White. In front of a wild crowd the Buffaloes will need a big game from their triumvirate of running backs (Demetrius Sumler, Darrell Scott and Rodney Stewart) along with some big plays from a receiving corps that currently lacks a proven big play threat.

Other Game Considered: Iowa State vs. Kansas State (10/3 in Kansas City)

Week 6: Nebraska @ Missouri (October 8^th)

Despite the fact that the North Division race looks to be wide-open among the top three, Nebraska’s trip to Columbia could be an eliminator for the loser. The Tigers embarrassed the Huskers in Lincoln last season, picking up their first win at Nebraska since 1978. But Chase Daniel, Jeremy Maclin and Chase Coffman are all gone, as is then-offensive coordinator Dave Christiansen. The Tigers will need to have some playmakers emerge, and the hope for head coach Gary Pinkel is that he will have found some answers by this point in the season.

Nebraska will look to improve defensively, having given up more than four hundred yards of total offense in just three quarters in last season’s meeting. The winner goes a long way in cementing its spot in the divisional race, while the loser finds itself in an uphill battle.

Other Games Considered: Colorado @ Texas (10/10), Kansas State @ Texas Tech (10/10)

Week 7: Texas Tech @ Nebraska (October 17^th)

Last season’s meeting ended up being much closer than many expected it to be, with the Red Raiders having to squeak out a 37-31 overtime victory in Lubbock. New quarterback Taylor Potts should be well-tested by the time the trip to Lincoln rolls around, having already faced Texas in Austin in mid-September. Head coach Mike Leach has the ability to simply plug in someone at quarterback and they throw up a 4,000 yard season. If Nebraska’s front four can get to Potts in a fashion similar to what Ole Miss and Oklahoma were able to do last season their chances at a win improve substantially. If you allow Potts to sit back and find guys at his own pace you’re in for a long afternoon, so the onus is on Ndamukong Suh and company to make sure he’s rushed.

Other Games Considered: Missouri @ Oklahoma State (10/17), Kansas @ Colorado (10/17)

Week 8: Texas @ Missouri (October 24^th)

Let’s just say that there won’t be many teams happier to see the end of October than the Missouri Tigers. Their schedule is brutal, with a visit from Nebraska followed by Oklahoma State, Texas and a trip to Boulder on Halloween. But back to the Longhorns, who visit Columbia hoping to have the same level of success that they experienced in last year’s meeting. Chase Daniel was harassed constantly and when the game ended Texas had rolled to a 56-31 triumph.

With Colt McCoy, Jordan Shipley and a host of other key contributors back on the Forty Acres 2009 could be a national championship season for head coach Mack Brown. But it’s tough to go on the road, especially when you’ve got a bull’s eye on your back, so Texas had better be ready for Missouri’s best shot. One area to watch: Missouri’s running game. Three times last season the Tigers failed to reach the 100-yard mark as a team, and they lost all three (Oklahoma State, Texas and Oklahoma).

Other Game Considered: Oklahoma @ Kansas (10/24)

Week 9: Kansas @ Texas Tech (October 31^st)

Last season’s meeting got out of hand quickly, as Graham Harrell and company steamrolled the Jayhawks 63-21 in Lawrence. Kansas should have the firepower necessary to keep up with the Red Raiders this time around, but a shootout would not be in their best interest. Defensively the Jayhawks had better show some improvement leading up to their trip to Lubbock; Texas Tech racked up twenty-nine first downs and more than four hundred yards passing in the win. What also didn’t help Kansas were five turnovers, miscues that helped spark a 49-0 run for the Red Raiders. Mark Mangino’s team knows exactly what they cannot afford to do in Lubbock if they don’t want to get embarrassed for the second consecutive season; let’s see if they can get the job done.

Other Games Considered: Nebraska @ Baylor (10/31), Missouri @ Colorado (10/31)

Week 10: Kansas @ Kansas State (November 7^th)

The battle for the Sunflower State welcomes back a familiar face in Bill Snyder, who returned to his head coaching role following a couple of disappointing seasons under Ron Prince. Last season’s meeting got off to a dreadful start for the Wildcats, falling behind 31-0 by halftime in a game that was never in doubt. Kansas State turned the ball over five times and racked up nearly one hundred yards in penalties. Discipline and attention to detail are two areas in which the Wildcats must improve if they’re to challenge the Jayhawks, much less fight for North Division supremacy.

Other Games Considered: Oklahoma @ Nebraska (11/7), Texas A&M @ Colorado (11/7)

Week 11: Nebraska @ Kansas (November 14^th)

This hasn’t been the kindest series to the Jayhawks in regards to history, but they have won each of the last two meetings in Lawrence. Two seasons ago Mark Mangino and company hung seventy-six on the Huskers, leaving many to wonder whether or not the Jayhawks took their foot off the pedal at all despite the blowout nature of the game. But that was during the disappointing Bill Callahan era; Bo Pelini’s first meeting with the Jayhawks resulted in a 45-35 Nebraska win in Lincoln last year.

Nebraska’s defense is expected to be one of the best units in the conference, thus earning their “Blackshirt” status. As for Kansas, a defense that ranked seventh in the Big 12 in total defense (and tenth against the pass) will have to buckle down in order to slow the tandem of Roy Helu Jr. and Quentin Castille. Unlike the last two meetings in Lawrence, expect these two to go right down to the wire.

Other Games Considered: Missouri @ Kansas State (11/14), Colorado @ Iowa State (11/14)

Week 12: Kansas State @ Nebraska (November 21^st)

Had the quota for interdivisional games not been reached this would be Kansas visiting Texas in what could be a Big 12 Championship Game preview. As a result, it’s time to turn back the clock to the mid- to late-90s when the Wildcats were looking to reach the top of the Big 12. The only thing was that in Bill Snyder’s way was none other than Dr. Tom Osborne and his Nebraska Cornhuskers. Neither team has gotten back to that level as of yet, but both are working in that direction. After winning three straight in the series K-State has lost four in a row to Nebraska with the last three all being by double digit margins. Will this be a repeat of the 73-31 debacle in Lincoln two seasons ago? Wildcat fans hope not.

Other Games Considered: Kansas @ Texas (11/21), Colorado @ Oklahoma State (11/19)

Week 13: Missouri vs. Kansas (November 28^th in Kansas City)

This is one of the more heated rivalries in the nation despite the fact that it didn’t get much national attention prior to their much-ballyhooed meeting two seasons ago. Two schools that haven’t liked each other dating all the way back to the Civil War will once again meet at Arrowhead Stadium, a switch that while the designated home team isn’t happy with losing a home game cannot be argued with in terms of the boost in popularity. There wasn’t anything on the line last season besides bragging right, with the Tigers having already clinched the division.

But that didn’t stop the Jayhawks from snatching victory from the jaws of defeat late in the fourth quarter, winning 40-37. Kansas will likely come in favored thanks to the presence of offensive threats Reesing and Briscoe. A trip to the Big 12 Championship Game could be riding on the result, no matter what happens on that Friday between Nebraska and Colorado.

Other Game Considered: Nebraska @ Colorado (11/27)

Week 14: Big 12 Championship Game (December 5^th in Arlington, TX)

The pick here is that Texas will beat Nebraska and punch their ticket to the BCS National Championship Game in front of a pro-Texas crowd.

Big 12 Football Preview

Raphielle Johnson — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:31:51 -0400

Got quarterback? The Big 12 does

By Raphielle Johnson

Once again high-powered spread offenses and quarterback play are the calling cards of the Big 12, the league best suited to challenge the SEC for the “best conference in America” tag. Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford (Oklahoma), as is friend and rival Colt McCoy down on the Forty Acres and their showdown in the Cotton Bowl on October 17^th will once again be the game of the season in the conference. But to jump to the conclusion that the winner has a cakewalk to the league crown would be a big mistake.

The winner of the Red River Rivalry may not even be assured of a trip to the Big 12 Championship Game, as we learned last season. The Sooners, despite the 45-35 loss to Texas, represented the South Division in the title game thanks to a higher BCS ranking than Texas or Texas Tech. Also, Oklahoma State takes over for the Red Raiders in the role of title chase interloper thanks to a prolific offense led by QB Zac Robinson and WR Dez Bryant.

But the biggest addition to the program may be new defensive coordinator Bill Young, who returns to the Big 12 after a season in the same role at Miami. Coach Young’s last Big 12 act: leading a defensive revival at Kansas that resulted in a trip to the FedEx Orange Bowl in 2007. How much of an impact that has in fall camp will be noticeable early with the Cowboys hosting Georgia in their season opener.

Texas Tech adds Taylor Potts to the pipeline of prolific quarterbacks, a position in which head coach Mike Leach seems to simply plug in the next guy and produce another high-powered attack. But with running back Barron Batch going down early in camp (expected to miss 3-6 weeks) with an arm injury, even more pressure could fall upon Potts’ shoulders. The Red Raiders should be 2-0 heading into their trip to Austin on September 19^th, but they weren’t done many favors with the draw of both Kansas and Nebraska in their crossover games. Tech may not be in the top three of the division, but do not be surprised if they pick one of those three off.

Baylor mad significant strides in the first season under Art Briles, who has a rising star in QB Robert Griffin III. Griffin is a game-changer who rarely (if ever) showed up at a school like Baylor in the past, and he’s the kind of player that can get you an extra two or three wins in a given season. The Bears open with a tough pair of games, visiting Wake Forest and then hosting Connecticut. They’ll also have to replace standout left tackle Jason Smith (Danny Watkins will take over), but the defense has an all-conference candidate in LB Joe Pawelek.

Baylor should be able to finish ahead of rebuilding Texas A&M, which will lean upon sophomore quarterback Jerrod Johnson. Johnson has plenty of experience, filling in for the injured Stephen McGee last season. The question for Mike Sherman’s offense is whether or not they have the requisite playmakers on the outside needed to take some pressure off of Johnson. Defensively, the Aggies must improve a pass defense that was one of the nation’s worst in 2008. If you can’t defend the pass in the Big 12, you’re in serious trouble. With A&M going to a three-man defensive line, look for more of an impact from the linebackers. Can fans expect the return of the “Wrecking Crew” days? Hardly, but there will be some improvement on defense for the Aggies.

In the North, the favorite essentially comes down to experience at quarterback. Kansas has been the pick of many, with senior QB Todd Reesing leading an offense that is more than capable of putting points on the board. And a scare was averted in the off-season with WR Dezmon Briscoe getting the necessary grades in summer session to ensure his eligibility this season. Look for that combination to rank among the nation’s best in 2009.

As for the most likely challenger to the Jayhawks, that would be Nebraska. The Cornhuskers hope that Zac Lee will perform well in replacing Joe Ganz at quarterback, and they also have one of the better defensive units in the conference with defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh leading the way. Suh, who finished 2008 with a team-high 76 tackles and 16 TFLs, is thought by many to be a high-first round selection in the 2010 NFL Draft.

But back to the offense, which is a rather young unit overall. Young wide receivers will need to step up as well, and three new starters will be asked to protect Lee and open holes for Roy Helu Jr. and Quentin Castille up front. With enough development on offense the Huskers could make their way to the Big 12 Championship Game, but they do have to visit both Missouri and Kansas within the division.

Missouri undergoes the tough task of replacing three of the greatest players in the history of the program. QB Chase Daniel, WR Jeremy Maclin and TE Chase Coffman have all moved on, and head coach Gary Pinkel hands the keys to the offense to Blaine Gabbert. The Tigers also have a new offensive coordinator in David Yost, who takes over for the departed Dave Christiansen (new head coach at Wyoming). The Tigers will have a lot of players getting significant playing time for the first time in their careers this season, but while it may be tough to put them atop the division there’s still enough talent to make things interesting within the North Division.

The wildcard in the North has to be Colorado, and it’s anyone’s guess what could happen there. The Buffaloes lost their best playmaker in Josh Smith, who decided to transfer to USC. The running back position is in good shape with Demetrius Sumler, Rodney Stewart and Darrell Scott and tight end Riar Geer is one of the best in the Big 12, but what about the quarterback position? Cody Hawkins had a tough go of it last season, so much so that the job was in doubt for a short period. But Cody goes into the season as the starter and the Buffaloes will need to find more playmakers if they’re to improve offensively (dead last in the Big 12 in total offense in 2008).

The bottom two shouldn’t change, even with the return of Bill Snyder to the Kansas State sidelines. Paul Rhoads takes over for the departed Gene Chizik at Iowa State, and although he has a solid young quarterback in Austen Arnaud the Cyclones find themselves well behind the pack when it comes to Big 12-caliber talent. The Wildcats have an easy schedule to start the season, time that will be used to boost the players’ confidence while getting them better acquainted with Coach Snyder’s desires and expectations in a gameday environment, but expect a rude awakening once they hit conference play.

Once again the Big 12 is poised to be the nation’s most exciting conference, with the nation once again being treated to weekly primetime matchups that will have an impact on both the conference and national title races. As for the title of best overall conference, that likely won’t be decided until the bowl season, with the conference hoping to get the better of the SEC is the few head-to-head matchups they leagues have.

Storyline: Defense. As good as the quarterbacks and spread offenses are in the Big 12, whichever team plays the best defense will likely win the conference. Personal picks for the top three defenses (in alphabetical order): Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas.

Players of the Year: QB Sam Bradford (Oklahoma) and DL Ndamukong Suh (Nebraska)

How they’ll finish

North 1. Kansas South 1. Texas

2. Nebraska 2. Oklahoma

3. Missouri 3. Oklahoma State

4. Colorado 4. Texas Tech

5. Kansas State 5. Baylor

6. Iowa State 6. Texas A&M

Next: Big 12 North and South Ultimate Schedules

Big 12 Tournament Preview

Evan Dorey — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:45:32 -0400

This is one in a series of conference tournament previews, in which I run down all the teams involved, give a brief statistical review and present the log5 projections, using in-conference offensive and defensive efficiency. The basic log5 methodology comes from Bill James, and this is an area Ken Pomeroy has looked at in the past as well. I claim nothing new in the application, but obviously with slightly different methodologies, these numbers may differ from others you find. I don’t claim to be an expert on any particular conference, and I’m sure there are some mis-characterizations on some players I’ve seen sparingly at best, so please add your thoughts in the comments. Anyway, with no further ado, the preview follows below:

Big 12 Tournament

Oklahoma City stages the Big 12 Tournament, in which the top 4 teams get byes to the quarterfinals.

#	Team	QF	SF	F	W
1	Kansas	100.00%	89.58%	76.74%	48.08%
2	Oklahoma	100.00%	75.05%	36.48%	16.76%
3	Missouri	100.00%	77.59%	48.54%	25.49%
4	Kansas St.	100.00%	41.07%	6.05%	1.07%
5	Texas	89.71%	57.20%	12.66%	3.44%
6	Texas A&M	83.13%	21.31%	8.02%	2.44%
7	Oklahoma St.	83.89%	23.81%	6.75%	1.87%
8	Nebraska	63.37%	7.70%	3.57%	0.71%
9	Baylor	36.63%	2.71%	0.91%	0.12%
10	Iowa St.	16.11%	1.14%	0.09%	0.01%
11	Texas Tech	16.87%	1.10%	0.13%	0.01%
12	Colorado	10.29%	1.73%	0.07%	0.00%

Kansas has a great shot at the title, while Missouri is somewhat ahead of Oklahoma, as it has been for some time in the efficiency rankings. Kansas St. is a 4 seed that should be sent home early by #5 Texas, while only A&M and OK St. look to cause havoc from outside the top five.

#1 – Kansas Jayhawks (25-6, 14-2) ; Efficiency Margin: +0.155

Last NCAA Tournament bid: 2008 (National Champion)

Kansas has one of the country’s youngest teams, but that hasn’t stopped the defending national champs from getting to the top of the Big 12 and building one of the country’s more impressive resumes. The Jayhawks have had the conference’s best defense, mostly due to their strength inside, where they allow opponents only 42% of shots and dominate the defensive glass. Their own shooting has also been impressive; they hit 40% of attempts from behind the arc. The one thing that separates them from the national elite offenses is their propensity for turnovers, giving it up far too often. Overall, though, this is a team that should be favored for the title, and will really benefit from only needing to face one of Missouri and Oklahoma.

Players to watch:

6-11 SO Cole Aldrich, 14.8 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 2.5 BPG, 60.1 eFG% - There may not be a lot of talk nationally about big men in the Big 12 beyond Griffin, but Aldrich has really stepped up in his sophomore season, and probably been the conference’s second best player. A 60% shooter who hits 80% at the free throw line, Aldrich is a dominant rebounder and the Big 12’s best shot-blocker.

5-11 JR Sherron Collins, 18.3 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 4.9 APG, 50.1 eFG% - The main returning player from the national championship team, Collins has been a very good three-point shooter, and distributed the ball well to team-mates.

#2 – Oklahoma Sooners (27-4, 13-3) ; Efficiency Margin: +0.111

Last NCAA Tournament bid: 2008 (2^nd Round)

Oklahoma started the conference season 11-0, but benefited from avoiding the top two teams in the conference until the final weeks,, when it lost three of its last five games. The Sooners are a good team, but have ranked third in the Big 12, and while they could easily win the conference tournament, losing a semifinal to Missouri wouldn’t be a surprise. They have had the conference’s best offense, dominating the inside as well as any team in the country and getting to the free-throw line a lot, though they aren’t great shooters once there. It’s Oklahoma’s defense that has held it back from the top of the conference; they defend shots well, but give opponents too many chances, forcing few turnovers and not doing that well on the glass.

Players to watch:

6-10 SO Blake Griffin, 22.1 PPG, 14.2 RPG, 1.3 BPG, 63.6 eFG% - It’s easy to see why Griffin is the favorite for the national player of the year award, as he’s been the conference’s top scorer while leading the country in rebounding, and can rather easily put up 20-and-15. He’s a force on the defensive glass, but his 59% free-throw shooting can be an Achilles Heel.

6-4 FR Willie Warren, 14.7 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 56.9 eFG% - The Big 12’s best freshman, Warren has been an excellent outside complement to Griffin, a very good three-point shooter who can also score inside.

#3 – Missouri Tigers (25-6, 12-4) ; Efficiency Margin: +0.133

Last NCAA Tournament bid: 2003 (2^nd Round)

Missouri is the third of the three elite Big 12 teams, but has had some spotty performances on the road, while dominating its home court, and it’ll be interesting to see how it does in Oklahoma City. Few teams in the country are as ferocious at forcing turnovers as the Tigers, and they also cause opponents problems from behind the arc, but have had foul problems. Their offense is highly ranked nationally, but is just behind the leading Big 12 teams. It doesn’t turn it over much, and scores pretty well inside the arc.

Players to watch:

6-8 SR DeMarre Carroll, 17.1 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 58.5 eFG% - Carroll is one of the Big 12’s most efficient players, leading Missouri in both scoring and rebounding. He shoots 57% from the field, rarely turns the ball over, and has put up good rates on the glass and in steals.

6-9 SR Leo Lyons, 14.4 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 50.7 eFG% - Lyons is second on the team in points and rebounds, and while he hasn’t been as efficient as Carroll, he’s still a quality inside option.

#4 – Kansas St. Wildcats (21-10, 9-7) ; Efficiency Margin: -0.031

Last NCAA Tournament bid: 1998 (2^nd Round)

It’s a good show of how shallow the Big 12 has been beyond the leading three teams that the #4 seed has actually been outscored by its conference opponents over the season. The Wildcats have struggled to make shots, taking most attempts from inside the arc, but hitting just 44%. They have gotten a lot of attempts, as they are one of the country’s best teams on the offensive glass. Their defensive problems have been on the perimeter, as teams have made nearly 40% of threes against Kansas St. It also has committed a lot of fouls, which has offset its decent interior defense.

Players to watch:

6-1 JR Denis Clemente, 15.6 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 3.3 APG, 50.3 eFG% - Clemente can be as dynamic a scorer as there is in the league, including dropping 44 on Texas and 33 on Missouri. He’s a solid three-point shooter who can also dish out assists well.

6-0 SO Jacob Pullen, 13.4 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.6 SPG, 47.1 eFG% - Pullen takes about the same number of shots as Clemente, but is much less efficient, as he’s only average from behind the arc.

#5 – Texas Longhorns (20-10, 9-7) ; Efficiency Margin: +0.019

Last NCAA Tournament bid: 2008 (Elite Eight)

Texas was ranked in the national polls for much of the early part of the season, but couldn’t string together victories in Big 12 play, and has been well behind the three leading teams. The Longhorns have a couple of areas where they are very strong, but on both sides of the ball they have glaring weaknesses that have caused them trouble. They rarely turn the ball over and are good on the offensive boards, but they haven’t shot well with the extra possessions, hitting under 30% from behind the arc. Defensively, they’ve also struggled on the perimeter, as their good defense of inside shots has been nullified by opponents shooting 39% from long distance.

Players to watch:

6-7 JR Damion James, 15.9 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 1.1 SPG, 50.4 eFG% -James is a solid rebounder, but doesn’t shoot a particularly good percentage for an inside player.

5-11 SR A.J. Abrams, 16.7 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 49.3 eFG% - Abrams plays more minutes than anyone in the Big 12, and while he’s a good shooter from three, his inside scoring has struggled, as he’s shot a lower percentage inside the arc than outside. His biggest strength is a very low turnover rate.

#6 – Texas A&M Aggies (23-8, 9-7) ; Efficiency Margin: +0.041

Last NCAA Tournament bid: 2008 (2^nd Round)

The Aggies are one of the most intriguing teams entering the tournament, as they come in on a six-game winning streak, and have put together the best EM record of any team outside the leading group. They haven’t been great scoring inside, but shoot well from three and get to the free throw line really often, though a 67% rate at the stripe manes they can’t get as much value out of those attempts as they should. Texas A&M has been good defending the inside, solid rebounders and holding opponents’ shooting percentage down, but are very vulnerable on the perimeter, not stopping the three well and rarely getting their hands on the ball.

Players to watch:

6-7 SR Josh Carter, 14.0 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 56.6 eFG% - Carter leads the Aggies in scoring, and is a very efficient player who rarely turns the ball over, and shoots good percentages form both inside and outside the arc.

6-10 JR Chinemelu Elonu, 10.1 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 1.6 BPG, 65.9 eFG% - Elonu doesn’t typically have a large offensive role, but he occasionally explodes for big games , and is a huge force inside; a 66% shooter who is one of the conference’s best rebounders and shot-blockers.

#7 – Oklahoma St. Cowboys (20-10, 9-7) ; Efficiency Margin: +0.027

Last NCAA Tournament bid: 2005 (Sweet Sixteen)

A six-game winning streak towards the end of the season bailed the Cowboys out after a tough start that saw them at 3-6. They’ve had one of the league’s best offenses, despite the fact that their three-point shooting has regressed from its spectacular non-conference percentage. In Big 12 play, they’ve been better, if not as frequent, shooters inside and have rarely turned the ball over. Oklahoma St. has struggled on the defensive end, the worst team outside the bottom four; it just hasn’t been able to stop opponents from making shots.

Players to watch:

6-6 SO James Anderson, 18.9 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 59.5 eFG% - On a team of good shooters, at 43% Anderson is the best of the group, and leads the team in scoring. He rarely turns the ball over and is a very good free-throw shooter.

5-11 SR Byron Eaton, 14.5 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 5.5 APG, 2.1 SPG, 46.5 eFG% - Eaton isn’t the team’s leading scorer, but is its most important player, as he does a lot of things besides offense to help the team. He has a great assist rate, and generates a lot of steals, among the best in the Big 12 in both categories. He’s not a great shooter from the field, but gets to the free-throw line as well as any player in the country, and hits 77% of attempts from there.

#8 – Nebraska Cornhuskers (18-11, 8-8) ; Efficiency Margin: -0.017

Last NCAA Tournament bid: 1998 (1^st Round)

Nebraska has gotten up to .500 in the conference for the first time in a decade, thanks to a ferocious defense that has is one of the Big 12’s best. The Huskers don’t stop opponents from making shots, but are one of the nation’s best teams at forcing turnovers, despite a fairly slow pace of play. Their offense has struggled, though, as they’ve been good outside, rarely turning it over and making a decent percentage of threes, but disastrous inside the arc; they’ve shot just 45% from two-point range and been one of the nation’s worst on the offensive boards.

Players to watch:

6-5 SR Ade Dagunduro, 13.0 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 1.2 SPG, 55.4 eFG% - Dagunduro is the Cornhuskers’ most important player, a good inside scorer who does well on the offensive glass, and can chip in effectively on the defensive end.

5-7 SO Cookie Miller, 7.3 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.5 SPG, 49.7 eFG% - Miller doesn’t score a lot, but distributes the ball really well, and is a good perimeter shooter. He does have some problems with turnovers that have hampered his effectiveness.

#9 – Baylor Bears (17-13, 5-11) ; Efficiency Margin: -0.069

Last NCAA Tournament bid: 2008 (1^st Round)

A team that’s got more talent than its performance would indicate, the Bears have won just two of their last 12 games, thanks to some horrific defensive play. They haven’t gotten many stops inside, and haven’t managed to easily end possessions with a turnover or rebound, while also fouling quite often, so opponents’ possessions usually tend to end with some kind of good offensive chance. Baylor’s vaunted three-point scorers have also gone south in Big 12 play, as it’s hit just over a third of attempts, and with most of its shots coming from behind the arc, the offense hasn’t been able to cover for the defensive problems. Still, as a former nationally ranked team, Baylor has the ability to make some noise in the tournament.

Players to watch:

6-1 SR Curtis Jerrells, 16.3 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 4.8 APG, 1.5 SPG, 49.6 eFG% - Jerrells is an excellent shooter who has increased his three-point percentage in his senior season, and also distributes the ball pretty well.

6-9 SR Kevin Rogers, 12.0 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 53.9 eFG% - Rogers leads the team in rebounding, and is a pretty good inside scorer who’s one of Baylor’s only options down low.

#10 – Iowa St. Cyclones (15-16, 4-12) ; Efficiency Margin: -0.118

Last NCAA Tournament bid: 2005 (2^nd Round)

The Big 12 has an upper tier of three top teams, but also a bottom tier of three teams, which starts with the bottom seed, Iowa St. The Cyclones haven’t made a lot of shots, and have compounded that problem by rarely getting to the free-throw line and getting back very few offensive rebounds. Their defense has been better, rarely fouling and dominating the glass, but hasn’t been too good defending shots and been the Big 12’s worst at forcing turnovers.

Players to watch:

6-10 SO Craig Brackins, 20.1 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 49.4 eFG% - Brackins is one of the conference’s best players, an excellent scorer and rebounder who is a dominant force for the Cyclones, and shoots a decent percentage considering how many of his team’s shots go through him.

6-1 SR Bryan Petersen, 6.6 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 57.6 eFG% - Peterson doesn’t have high averages, but is the team’s best shooter, especially from behind the arc, where he shoots 39%.

#11 – Texas Tech Red Raiders (13-18, 3-13) ; Efficiency Margin: -0.104

Last NCAA Tournament bid: 2007 (1^st Round)

Texas Tech made national headlines by putting up 167 points against a non-D1 team early in the year, and while they managed to keep up a pretty solid offensive performance in the Big 12, the more telling stat in that game may have been giving up 116 points, as it has been the conference’s worst defensive team. The Red Raiders play at a fast pace, but don’t force a lot of turnovers, and get burned pretty badly both inside and out. They are decent at making threes, but despite their pace don’t get a high percentage of shots inside, and are very weak on the offensive boards.

Players to watch:

6-3 SR Alan Voskuil, 14.1 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 59.4 eFG% - Voskuil is a deadly three-point shooter, having hit 45% of attempts from behind the arc, including a 9-of-14 performance in beating Kansas last week. He doesn’t take a lot of shots, but is so effective that he’s the team’s second leading scorer.

5-11 SO John Roberson, 14.4 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 6.5 APG, 48.6 eFG% - Roberson isn’t a great shooter, but leads the Raiders in scoring, though his real strength is his assist rate, one of the country’s best.

#12 –Colorado Buffaloes (9-21, 1-15) ; Efficiency Margin: -0.170

Last NCAA Tournament bid: 2003 (1^st Round)

Colorado won just one conference game, against Iowa St., but twice lost in overtime, and played a number of other games in single digits. They’ve had a lot of trouble scoring, hitting a decent percentage, but not able to get many attempts, turning it over often and getting beaten out on the offensive boards. They’ve also allowed opponents to make shots pretty easily, giving up conference-worst percentages from two and three, and their only redeeming factor is an ability to force turnovers.

Players to watch:

6-5 SO Cory Higgins, 17.8 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 1.9 SPG, 53.6 eFG% - Higgins has improved quite a bit for Colorado, and been one of the conference’s top scorers. He’s a very good inside shooter who can hit threes as well, and does a lot of good work at the free throw line, where he shoots 83%. His ability on the defensive glass and in picking up steals has made him one of the Big 12’s better players overall.

6-3 SR Dwight Thorne, 11.9 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 57.1 eFG% - Thorne had a very strong scoring run in mid-January, but has dropped off since then, and while he’s an excellent percentage shooter, he tends to run fairly hot-and-cold.

My statistical all-Big 12 team:

Oklahoma St. SO G James Anderson, 18.9 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 59.5 eFG%

Colorado SO G Cory Higgins, 17.8 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 1.9 SPG, 53.6 eFG%

Oklahoma SO F Blake Griffin, 22.1 PPG, 14.2 RPG, 1.3 BPG, 63.6 eFG%

Missouri SR F DeMarre Carroll, 17.1 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 58.5 eFG%

Kansas SO C Cole Aldrich, 14.8 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 2.5 BPG, 60.1 eFG%

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