- First, some housekeeping news: apparently, the Big 12 will introduce some sort of brand-new promotional campaign at the Big 12 Tournament in two weeks, though the details are vague right now. That will be a little awkward for Missouri and Texas A&M as the two schools bolting for the SEC will probably have to watch highlights of TCU and West Virginia on the jumobtron. Interestingly, the league spent $1 million on an old campaign before the two schools decided to leave, but the Big 12 had to abandon that for obvious reasons.
- And you thought the last Border War game was important. On Saturday, the rematch between Kansas and Missouri will be legendary, with both schools fighting for the Big 12 title with a week and a half remaining in the season. Until the Jayhawks cave, it will also be the last Border War game in the near future. But you knew that already. Here’s an early look at the match-up from Yahoo! Sports.
- Like the Missouri/Kansas series, it appears Iowa State will no longer face home-and-home series with Drake and Northern Iowa from the Missouri Valley. But this case is a little different– there’s talk that Iowa State, Iowa, Drake, and Northern Iowa will actually create their own non-conference tournament to determine the state of Iowa’s best basketball team. Think it’s going to be a landslide for the Big 12 and Big Ten schools? Think again. Drake and Northern Iowa both beat Iowa State this season; Iowa even lost to the Panthers by 20 points.
- Staying in the Missouri Valley, here’s an interesting debate: could Wichita State beat Kansas? There’s no point arguing back and forth on the matter, because the only way we can settle this is if the two teams meet in the NCAA Tournament, as the article alludes to. Still, it’s fun to think about. Thomas Robinson would obviously be the best player on the floor, but the Shockers are deeper than the Jayhawks and match-up athletically with any team in the nation in terms of size and strength. We know one thing. It would be a heck of a ballgame, and it’s a shame the two schools down the road from each other don’t play in the non-conference.
- In sadder news, we’ve got new information from the November plane crash involving Oklahoma State personnel. The Associated Press reports the autopsy did not confirm any medical problems with the 82-year-old pilot who manned the plane during the crash. According to The Oklahoman, Oklahoma State is also now preparing to take another look at the school’s traveling procedures in light of the tragedy.