Saturday Roundup: Texas Assumes Command
by PB @ BON
on Feb 23, 2008 10:53 PM CST
in Basketball
I'm comfortable saying this was as exciting a Saturday in college basketball as we've had all year, and though the games aren't as "meaningful" in the sense that many of today's losers won't be knocked from postseason play, when watching and enjoying all the action, that distinction loses a lot of its meaning. At least to me.
What did today's action mean for Texas? The Longhorns not only improved to 10-2 in Big 12 play, but they got a lot of help around them. Kansas dropped a road game to Oklahoma State, while Kansas State fell in Waco to Baylor. That leaves the 'Horns in outstanding shape to earn the conference's #1 seed for the Big 12 Tournament. Owning the head-to-head tiebreak over Kansas, Texas would have to lose two of its final four to fall behind the Jayhawks. And Kansas State now has four conference losses. Even if Texas were to drop Monday's game in Manhattan, wins in their final three would lock up the #1 seed for the Big 12 tourney.
Texas enjoyed good news nationally, as well. Tennessee, a team the 'Horns beat by 20 in December, gutted out a tough road win over Memphis tonight. Not only does that bolster Texas' win over the Volunteers, but it dings Memphis a little bit. And the Tigers have been Texas' top competition for that South Regional (Houston) draw. Bottom line: everything, including a #1 seed in Houston, is in play for Texas right now. Literally, everything. If you're the greedy type - today's a good day to dream big. We control our postseason destiny.
Looking Ahead
- A win Monday over Kansas State won't be easy. The Wildcats are 6-0 at home on the season, with wins over Texas A&M (+21 points), Iowa State (+25), Kansas (+9), Nebraska (+15), Oklahoma State (+21), and Missouri (+37). Though Texas can afford to lose Monday and maintain its excellent position, a win would put the Longhorns in a commanding position down the stretch. It won't be easy.
- Keep a close eye on Memphis the rest of the way. Conference USA isn't nearly as strong as the Big 12, and if they drop another game down the stretch or in their conference tournament, the 'Horns will have an excellent opportunity to steal that top line in Houston away from the Tigers. When Memphis was the clear #1 overall seed, we more or less had to angle for that #2 slot in Houston. After today's results, everything remains in play. Memphis remains a favorite, but Texas is on a roll. Seven straight, with a huge opportunity Monday.
- That #1 seed in the Big 12 tournament is more important than it seems. Though winning that tournament isn't necessary, it's proved elusive for Rick Barnes during his impressive 10 years in Austin. We've never won it, and I know Rick would like to. I know I'd like to, as well. If Texas does hold on to the #1 seed in the tourney, Kansas and Kansas State would likely battle in a semifinal as #2 and #3. That's a good thing, as this year's tournament is in Kansas City.
- All you football fans who aren't sure whether you want to invest yourselves emotionally in basketball: get on board, damnit. No matter how this season plays out, this basketball program is probably every bit as healthy as the football program. Rick doesn't have his national title yet, but if you evaluated each sport and ranked the top 5-10 programs therein, Texas would be on both lists. It's absolutely incredible what Rick Barnes has done.
--PB--
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Defense on the up swing.
The Horns got out of the chute early on offense but it's the defense that is really improving.
With every horn missing from three point range the game tonight was never much of a contest. It didn't matter they weren't hitting from long range, the defense just locked out the Sooners.
After watching the Tennessee/Memphis game. The Horns will beat both of them with the kind of defense they are playing or just about anyone else for that matter.
This team is as good on defense as the 2003 Final four Texas team and this one has more offensive weapons. It's blue skys if they can keep it up.
by Xerxes on Feb 23, 2008 11:23 PM CST 0 recs
excellent point.
All you football fans who aren't sure whether you want to invest yourselves emotionally in basketball: get on board, damnit. No matter how this season plays out, this basketball program is probably every bit as healthy as the football program. Rick doesn't have his national title yet, but if you evaluated each sport and ranked the top 5-10 programs therein, Texas would be on both lists. It's absolutely incredible what Rick Barnes has done.
Agreed.
by kicker on Feb 23, 2008 11:33 PM CST 0 recs
Impressed recently with the fan support
The way the FEC is set up and the way Texas treats its alumni ensures that most fans at our home games will not be students. However, Barnes has made some absolutely necessary improvements to the arena by getting rid of the "gap" between the seats and the court by bringing seats to courtside, putting students behind the baskets, and having the entrances be at corners instead of behind the baskets. This has made it easier for students to get involved.
The last few games we've seen sellouts or near sellouts and the fans are getting behind the team. I wish we'd have more support for the early-season games, but it's hard to pack a 17000 capacity house for every game. The fan support has stepped up this year and it can only help recruiting (along with the fact that Barnes consistently turns out very good teams and NBA players). With further improvement, we can solidify our newly-found reputation as one of the best basketball programs in the country.
by longhorn00 on
Feb 24, 2008 12:03 AM CST
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Good news; bad news
Good news is Doug Gottlieb and some other ESPN analyst has us now as a 1 seed (as opposed to Lunardi who has us as a 2).
Bad news is it's the 1 seed in the Midwest regional.
Honestly, I don't have a problem with being a 1 seed but not in the South. It basically guarantees a Sweet 16 just by being a 1 seed. Regardless of what regional we're in, the last two games will be in San Antonio. The only question is can we get there before we run into a team that matches up well with us?
by goingforthecorner on Feb 24, 2008 12:32 AM CST 0 recs
Big XII Scenario
Seven teams are in the hunt for the 4th seed and a 1st round bye in the Big XII tournament. Five of those teams are in the South:
Texas A&M (6-6)
Oklahoma (6-6)
Baylor (6-6)
Texas Tech (6-6)
Oklahoma St (5-7)
and two from the North:
Nebraska (5-7)
Missouri (5-7)
A curiosity could develop in the conference as the tiebreakers kick in down the stretch: extra basketball.
From the Big XII website tiebreakers:
"(g) If three or more teams are tied, ties among divisional opponents will be broken first by using steps (b) through (f) and the head-to-head results will be used to break ties between non-divisional teams. When three or more teams from the same division are tied step (b) will consist of a mini- round robin among the tied teams." Big XII Tiebreakers
What this means for UT is that if this scenario plays out there could be some very tired teams kicking around Kansas City. The #4 seed may have had to play Saturday (3/8) or Sunday (3/9) AND Monday (3/10) AND Tuesday (3/11) all before they play the #1 seed on Friday (3/14). That would make Saturday's semifinal game will be against a team that's playing it's 5th game in 8 days in the #1 seed bracket.
As a contrast, the #2 seed would probably play a well-rested #3 seed in their semifinal game. Beating KSU on Monday pretty much wraps up the #1 seed for UT. If three or more teams from the South tie for the #4 seed odds are that UT lands in the Big XII Championship game without breaking a sweat, and a loss there probably wouldn't impact their NCAA seeding.
by RkyMtnHorn on Feb 24, 2008 2:08 AM CST 0 recs
Unless...
of course, a mini-round robin does not involve actually playing games.
by RkyMtnHorn on
Feb 24, 2008 2:16 AM CST
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No games
Mini-round robin would be played on paper given previous results. The Big XII season ends on Sunday March 9th. The first round of the Big XII tourney will be Thursday March 13th. Texas and whoever gets the other three first round byes will play for the first time in Kansas City on Friday March 14th.
by awiggo on
Feb 24, 2008 11:42 AM CST
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UT postseason
I've good a good feeling about this team's tourney chances (the big dance). I don't really know why, I don't really like the team but they have proved themselves. i'm not sure how deep they'll go, but I think they'll go deep whether it's a one or two seed. The team seems very solid. I hate to say it as an ag, but, I don't really care, the ags probably going anywhere in they tourney(if they make it). As much as I would hate to see UT in the final four, it would give me a reason to actually watch those games that are usually pretty over done. Of course, I'll probably be rooting against Texas, but that's just because of the blasphemy of the UT athletic program. Either way, I'll be curious to see how far this team can go.
If Texas does finish well, how will the BIG 12 tourney affect their seeding?
by carsondude on Feb 24, 2008 2:26 AM CST 0 recs
I respect your honesty
I'd feel the same way if the Ags made the final four, but I will say that last year I thought they were going to make it, and they got tripped up by Memphis in San Antonio.
About the conference tourney affecting UT's seed. In the past, winning the conference tourney typically didn't help the seeding, especially since the game is played on Sunday and by then, most of the groundwork has been planned out for the tourney brackets, and the people who put it together felt it was too difficult to change. This year, the committee is supposed to be spending one extra day planning out the tournament bracket, so maybe that time can be used to put more contingency plans in place.
with all that said, for top tier teams, they are usually okay as long as they don't flame out too early in the conference tournaments. If Texas is still fighting for a #1 seed, then winning the tournament or advancing far while another top team bows out early could have an advantageous effect.
by junglerules on
Feb 24, 2008 9:30 AM CST
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