Big XII Week Ahead: February 11 - 17

by awiggo on Feb 10, 2008 10:56 PM CST in Texas Longhorns Basketball

After the Sooners, who were without the services of Longar Longar, dropped both their games this week, the Big XII is getting very top heavy. Kansas and Kansas State stand at the top with just a single loss. Kansas does get K State later this year in Lawrence, though. Texas remained just a game back with two crucial road wins, and the Aggies have now won five straight conference games after dropping three straight previously. If the season ended today, Kansas along with Texas, Kansas State, Baylor, and A&M would all pick up bids. OU is back firmly on the bubble.

Kansas 8-1 (Last Week 2-0) KU somehow managed to score 100 points in 40 minutes against Baylor without hitting a single three-pointer. Yikes. The Jayhawks are #1 in Pomeroy’s ratings overall, #1 in adjusted offensive efficiency, and #2 in adjusted defensive efficiency. Wow! Memphis may be undefeated, but Kansas is the best team in the country, in my opinion.
Week Ahead: at Texas on Monday and vs. Colorado Saturday

Kansas State 7-1 (Last Week 2-0) The Wildcats are really playing well right now. Michael Beasley is consistently going for 20+ pts and 10+ rebounds and will be Big XII Player of the Year. With a favorable schedule the rest of the way, 14-2 is not out of the question.
Week Ahead: at Texas Tech on Wednesday and vs. Missouri on Saturday

Texas 6-2 (Last Week 2-0) Thankfully, ugly wins count just the same as pretty ones. Texas swept their two road games but still faces a formidable stretch ahead. Remember a loss on Monday night is not fatal but following it with another on Saturday would really hurt.
Week Ahead: vs. Kansas on Monday and at Baylor on Saturday

Texas A&M 6-3 (Last week 2-0) Kansas is the best team in the league, but A&M is the hottest. The Aggies get a week of rest before a home game on Saturday and then a quick turnaround for a Monday night game in Austin. A lot of pundits wrote this team off way too quickly.
Week Ahead: vs. Oklahoma State on Saturday

Baylor 5-3 (Last Week 1-1) Another solid road effort came up short for the Bears in Lawrence. However, the Bears are definitely one of the top five teams in the conference. The draw two tough games ahead this week. At least 1-1 will keep them headed towards 9-7 and the NCAA tournament.
Week Ahead: at Oklahoma State on Wednesday and vs. Texas on Saturday

Oklahoma 3-5 (Last Week 0-2) OU has now lost three straight games and appear headed in the wrong direction as Longar^2 sits injured on the bench. Jeff Capel’s club does own non-conference wins over Arkansas, Gonzaga, and West Virginia but still must get to 8-8 at least to feel safe come Selection Sunday. Sweeping this week’s games will go a long way toward achieving that mark.
Week Ahead: vs. Iowa State on Wednesday and at Texas Tech on Saturday

Texas Tech 3-5 (Last Week 0-2) What a week in Lubbock? Robert Montgomery out the door and Pat now sits at the head of the bench. The Red Raiders continued their road woes this past week but are now headed home for two, tough games this week. Good luck, Pat.
Week Ahead: vs. Kansas State on Wednesday and vs. Oklahoma on Saturday

Nebraska 3-5 (Last Week 1-1) As mentioned last week, the Huskers could reach 5-5 with two wins this week.
Week Ahead: vs. Missouri on Wednesday and at Iowa State on Saturday

Missouri 3-6 (Last Week 0-2) The wheels are off Mike Anderson’s club. Their point guard was arrested on Saturday and the Tigers have now dropped three of their last four. Two road losses will slam the door on this team.
Week Ahead: at Nebraska on Wednesday and at Kansas State on Saturday

Iowa State 3-6 (Last Week 0-2) The Hilton Magic failed in the 2nd half on Saturday and the Horns escaped with a win. While it was a good effort by the Cyclones, they are not a good team.
Week Ahead: at Oklahoma on Wednesday and vs. Nebraska on Saturday

Oklahoma State 2-7 (Last Week 1-1) OSU finally got a W on Wednesday over Colorado, but it wasn't easy. The Cowboys have played so poorly this year that somewhere bookies are considering favoring the Bears in Stillwater.
Week Ahead: vs. Baylor on Wednesday and at Texas A&M on Saturday

Colorado 2-7 (Last Week 1-1) The Buffs drew OU at just the right time and got their first victory in nearly a month.
Week Ahead: at Kansas on Saturday

--AW--

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Comments

How

does KU have the 2nd best efficient defense when they give up 90 points to Baylor at home? KU must be playing at a really fast tempo.

I read some KU forums and defense is a legit concern for them, so I don't think the #2 ranking is very accurate.

Seeing that BU is a guard-oriented team, hopefully Augustin and Abrams have a field day against KU. We all know what KD did against them last year, and KD is basically a SG.

by goingforthecorner on Feb 11, 2008 12:41 AM CST reply actions

I am quite concerned about Monday.

The Horns will have to make a quantum leap from the Iowa State and prior few games to win this contest.

They need to regain the form of the Tennessee game. Maybe they'll enjoy running and gunning for a change - with Gary Johnson in the mix you never know.

by whills on Feb 11, 2008 2:37 AM CST reply actions

If Texas isnt knocked out...

...in the first 3 minutes tonight, Ill be very happy.

If we win, Ill be dumbfounded. We just haven't been sharp enough in the past few weeks to beat a team like Kansas.

by BoddickerIsClutch on Feb 11, 2008 9:28 AM CST up reply actions

I'm glad

I didn't bet on this game. I still have no idea what will happen. The line is KU -4.5 last time I checked.

by goingforthecorner on Feb 11, 2008 11:41 AM CST up reply actions

You could consider this:

Early in the season the Horns proved they could play up to anyone (UCLA, Tennessee) but then showed they were vulnerable.

In this last stretch, they've proven they can play down to most anyone. That, to me, is more the characteristic of a talented but young and immature club. They can be extremely dangerous, they can get 20-point games from several players in the same night. Of course, they can get downright butt ugly on defense.

Whatever happens tonight, I hope it helps them gain a new level of maturity as a team. As a work in progress, sometimes it is more important to grow than to win outright (if you can afford it).

Kansas is a good measuring stick.

by whills on Feb 11, 2008 1:04 PM CST up reply actions