Rush The Court

This was supposed to be the season. Like, THE season. The season Texas began ranked in the top 10 of the Associated Press preseason poll. The season it would dethrone Kansas from the perch overlooking the rest of the Big 12. And more importantly, this was supposed to be the season — with eight rotation players returning and a blue-chipper entering — where it was destined for a run to NCAA Tournament’s second weekend, and perhaps beyond. Instead, the Longhorns sit at 17-10 overall with a meager 6-8 mark in Big 12 play. The general consensus from bracketologists, bubble-watchers and fans alike is that Texas, while starting trouble in the face over the next few weeks, is still safely in the field.

To his credit, Rick Barnes is the only Big 12 coach other than Bill Self who consistently schedules a difficult non-conference schedule. This season’s slate of games looked rough in August but doesn’t seem all that impressive six months later. Four of Texas’ five toughest opponents (not including Kentucky, because Kentucky) were Iowa, California, Connecticut and Stanford. The Hawkeyes and Bears are no strangers to playing in the NCAA Tournament; Stanford went to the Sweet Sixteen just last year; and Connecticut, of course, is 10 months removed from cutting down the nets in Arlington. Unfortunately for Texas, the win over Iowa now means that the Longhorns have a win against another bubble team instead of a resume-enhancer; beating Cal doesn’t help them with their postseason aspirations; a win over UConn is questionable at best, and a loss to fellow bubble resident Stanford at home doesn’t help things. The conference schedule isn’t much better. Texas has only beaten one team (West Virginia) that is likely to reach the NCAA Tournament. The perception of this team could have easily been improved in a strong conference where every team plays each other twice, but possible sweeps of TCU, Texas Tech and Kansas State do not exactly scream great resume. With road tilts still to come at West Virginia and Kansas followed by home dates with Baylor and Kansas State, the Horns would have to find a way to finish 3-1 by splitting their road games and sweeping the last two in order to get themselves safely into the NCAA Tournament. Otherwise, Texas won’t make it to the finish line. What a disappointment.

Power Rankings

1. Kansas — 3 points (All voted 1st). Comment: “Perhaps we all declared the Big 12 title race over a bit too early. With four games left, the Jayhawks only have a one-game lead. It would require an unexpected loss for Kansas to not at least share the title, but don’t be surprised if Iowa State grabs a piece of the pie, too.” – Chris Stone (@cstonehoops)
2. Iowa State — 6 points (All voted 2nd). Comment: “As Chris pointed out, Iowa State is still within striking distance of a Big 12 regular season title. I don’t see the Cyclones winning it outright but perhaps they will find a way to earn a share of it. We’ve all been conditioned to think a certain way about Kansas for the past 10 years; it’d be silly to start thinking anything other than Big 12 champs.” – Nate Kotisso (@natekotisso)
3. Oklahoma — 10 points (Brian & Chris — 3rd, Nate — 4th) Comment: “In Oklahoma’s first 24 games, the Sooners managed to avoid the mythical Luck Dragon fairly regularly, with just three of those games decided by five points or fewer. Their last three games, however — the Valentine’s Day loss to Kansas State and last week’s games against Texas and Texas Tech — have painted a different picture. You may also have noticed that each of those opponents face an uphill climb to get into the NCAA Tournament or will be left out altogether. While Oklahoma has been one of the more consistent teams in the Big 12 in winning seven of their last eight games, it’s also reasonable to be apprehensive about their postseason prospects.” – Brian Goodman (@BSGoodman)
4. West Virginia — 12 points (Nate — 3rd, Chris — 4th, Brian — 5th) Comment: “Given their season-long shooting woes, whenever the Mountaineers find a way to knock down 10 threes in a single game, you’re sure to remember it. Saturday’s three-point barrage vs Oklahoma State was only their second such performance of the season; their first occurred against Virginia Tech in late December.” – NK
5. Baylor — 14 points (Brian — 4th, Chris & Nate — 5th) Comment: “Rico Gathers is starting to climb in the Big 12 record books. The junior has logged 324 rebounds on the year and is averaging 12.0 per game. The Bears will play at least six more games (four in the regular season and a minimum of one in the Big 12 Tournament and another in the NCAA Tournament). If Gathers can maintain his current pace, he would finish the season with 396 boards, good for fourth in league history for a single season; If he can do it for three additional games, he would edge up to third with 432 boards. Either way, he’d be in pretty good company (page 7, middle column).” – BG
6. Oklahoma State — 18 points (All voted 6th). Comment: “After knocking off Kansas and Baylor two weeks ago, the Cowboys have now lost their last three games. Luckily, they get the week off before facing Texas Tech in Lubbock on Saturday.” – CS
7. Texas — 21 points (All voted 7th). Comment: “As I said earlier, Texas has work left to do because its portfolio isn’t good enough to make the Tournament right now. The Horns have to find a way to get back to .500 in league play before the conference tournament begins in two weeks.” – NK
8. TCU — 25 points (Brian & Chris — 8th, Nate — 9th) Comment: “The Horned Frogs rattled off a pair of wins before losing at Kansas. TCU is improving as its season comes to a close, and despite the fact that they’ll lose senior Kyan Anderson at the end of the year, the future appears brighter for a team with three sophomores in the starting lineup.” – CS
9. Kansas State — 26 points (Nate — 8th, Brian & Chris — 9th) Comment: “The Wildcats aren’t the worst team in the Big 12, but they’re by far the biggest mess. They’ve lost their last two games by a combined 41 points, some players seem to have checked out, and Bruce Weber doesn’t appear all that interested in taking responsibility. If you’re a Kansas State fan, that’s not the kind of shape you want your program in at any point, much less when you’re about to face a Kansas team that has a good shot at a #2 seed. It could get ugly tonight in Manhattan.” – BG
10. Texas Tech — 30 points (All voted 10th). Comment: “The Red Raiders took Oklahoma to overtime in Lubbock on a huge shot from Toddrick Gotcher, but it was freshman Norense Odiase who caught my eye. He scored 16 points on 12 shots in the loss while showing flashes of serious potential in the post.” – CS

Big 12 Video/GIF of the Week

I don’t have his birth certificate on me, but here is Kansas “junior” forward Perry Ellis skying for the finish on a fast break alley-oop. It just goes to show how the advancement of technology can help anyone do anything at any age. (H/T cjzero)

Five Big 12 Games You Better Watch This Week

1. Monday: Kansas at Kansas State (8:00 PM CT, ESPN)
2. Tuesday: Texas at West Virginia (6:00 PM CT, ESPN2)
3. Wednesday: Baylor at Iowa State (8:00 PM CT, ESPNU)
4. Saturday: West Virginia at Baylor (3:00 PM CT, ESPNU)
5. Saturday: Texas at Kansas (4:00 PM CT, ESPN)