With just two weeks left in the regular season, the race for the Big XII championship is fairly clear. Only three teams, Texas, Kansas, and Kansas State, remain with legitimate shots at the trophy and only the Longhorns control their own destiny. After another perfect week, Texas currently has a one game lead over KU and a two game cushion over KSU.
In the bubble discussion, OU got the best of Baylor in their mid-week contest but quickly gave up their one game advantage over the Bears after their weekend games. Meanwhile, that falling sound is coming straight from College Station, where the Aggies have quickly gone from 6-3 in the conference and a top 25 team to 6-6 in league play and entering the highway toward the NIT. Given their weak non-conference schedule, A&M must win at least two of their final four games to have a realistic shot at the NCAA tournament.
Texas 10-2 (Last Week 2-0) The Longhorns are rolling and have won seven straight and ten of their last eleven. If the defense remains at a high level, winning out is not out of the realm of possibility. The ‘Horns’ two opponents this week are not outstanding teams, but both have been nearly untouchable at home.
Week Ahead: at Kansas State on Monday and at Texas Tech on Saturday
Kansas 9-3 (Last Week 0-1) Before the season, I said that anything short of 14-2 in conference should be seen as a disappointment in Lawrence. Well, after dropping two of their last three, the Jayhawks have lost their grip on the conference title and a potential #1 seed in the NCAA tournament. ESPN College Gameday will be in Lawrence on Saturday.
Week Ahead: at Iowa State on Wednesday and vs. Kansas State on Saturday
Kansas State 8-4 (Last Week 0-2) Kansas State dropped both their road games last week and have now lost three of their last four. Two more tough games await the Wildcats this week before they close with Iowa State and Colorado. Even with the recent woes, a first round bye in the Big XII is all but certain.
Week Ahead: vs. Texas on Monday and at Kansas on Saturday
Texas A&M 6-6 (Last week 0-2) The Aggies are no longer in desperate need of a solid road win; they are in desperate need of a win. Period. Do they have two more wins left in the regular season? Ken Pomeroy says no and I tend to agree. Poor Aggies.
Week Ahead: vs. Texas Tech on Wednesday and at Oklahoma on Saturday
Oklahoma 6-6 (Last Week 1-1) With an RPI in the mid 20’s and a strength of schedule in the top ten, two more wins and a .500 conference record should be good enough to take the Sooners dancing.
Week Ahead: at Nebraska on Wednesday and vs. Texas A&M on Saturday
Baylor 6-6 (Last Week 1-1) Even with their mid-week loss in Norman, the Bears may have the weakest schedule of these teams bunched in the middle of the pack. Baylor could easily go 3-1 over the next two weeks, get to 9-7 in the conference, and earn a first round bye. Wow! That kind of run must start with a win in Boulder.
Week Ahead: at Colorado on Wednesday and vs. Missouri on Saturday
Texas Tech 6-6 (Last Week 2-0) Pat Knight completed a perfect week by dispatching of two of the weakest teams in the conference. The rest of their schedule is brutal, though.
Week Ahead: at Texas A&M on Wednesday and vs. Texas on Saturday
Missouri 5-7 (Last Week 1-0) The Tigers won their only game of the week by seven points over CU in Columbia, but their chance at the NCAA tournament ended with the Stephon Hannah incident.
Week Ahead: vs. Oklahoma State on Tuesday and at Baylor on Saturday
Oklahoma State 5-7 (Last Week 1-0) Don’t look now but the Cowboys have won four of five and are actually playing solid basketball. With an RPI of 90, OSU probably needs to win out, though, and win a game or two in the Big XII to get serious consideration.
Week Ahead: at Missouri on Tuesday and vs. Nebraska on Saturday
Nebraska 5-7 (Last Week 2-0) What a week for the Huskers! Nebraska takes out Michael Beasley and company on Wednesday and wins in College Station over the weekend. I thought this team was better than its record, but I was just a week or two early in calling it.
Week Ahead: vs. Oklahoma on Wednesday and at Oklahoma State on Saturday
Iowa State 4-8 (Last Week 0-1) 4-12 remains within reach.
Week Ahead: vs. Kansas on Wednesday and at Colorado on Saturday
Colorado 2-10 (Last Week 0-2) If CU can win on Saturday, they’ll avoid the cellar.
Week Ahead: vs. Baylor on Wednesday and vs. Iowa State on Saturday
--AW--