Mizzou Tiger Hoops

Selection Sunday is two weeks away, but I thought I’d take a look at the Big 12’s bubble prospects. Oklahoma, kU, and Mizzou are clearly locks, and I think putting Texas in is a pretty safe bet too, but just for fun I’ll keep them on the bubble. 

Texas - 19-9 (8-6), RPI: 38, SOS: 32

Currently ranked #25, their win over #3 OU should be the giant cherry atop non-conference wins against Villanova and UCLA. However, they really need to split their remaining games against Baylor and kU because a .500 record in a down conference is not a comfortable place to be when Greg Gumbel is reading out the bracket.

Baylor is clearly the disappoint of the Big 12 this year, but Texas may not be far off. They were supposed to be an elite team and have not at all lived up to those expectations. Their point guard play has been really inconsistent this season and in my opinion, been their achilles heel. None of A.J. Abrams, Justin Mason, or Dogus Balbay have been able to consistently produce the way point guards on some of Rick Barnes’ great teams have (D.J. Augustin, T.J. Ford). 

 Kansas State - 20-9 (8-6), RPI: 73, SOS: 88

This does not look like a team that is going to get in to me. They have one good win (Mizzou at home) and two REALLY REALLY bad non-conference losses (vs. Iowa, @ Oregon). To even have a chance they will need to win their remaining games (@Ok-State, Col.) and then win at least two games in the conference tournament. One of those wins will pretty much have to come against Mizzou, OU, or kU as well. 

Frank Martin has done a great job (even though he is pretty scary with his constant screaming) to get this team where they are in conference play considering how much they’ve lost since last season. However, there are too many losses, not enough eye-catching wins, and a poor RPI and SOS. For example, some teams with a better RPI include: Rhode Island, Wisconsin Green-Bay, Baylor, and New Mexico. 

 Oklahoma State - 19-9 (8-6), RPI: 30, SOS: 12

Oklahoma State is a really intriguing team. Out of those nine losses, not one is really all that bad. Their worst loss is probably an early-season shootout at Baylor. They should get to 20 wins with their next game against K-State. Though they lack a real signature win (take your pick out of Siena/Rhode Island/Texas), they haven’t done anything to ruin their shot at the tournament. Their RPI and SOS are hard to ignore. 

 Texas A&M - 21-8 (7-7), RPI: 35, SOS: 37

The Aggies are a lot like the Cowboys in that they are a team flying under the proverbial radar that has quietly put together a very solid resume that lacks flash. Their SOS, RPI, and win total are all pretty safe. So is a non-conference win against SEC-champion LSU, which looks better and better every week. With Colorado still on their schedule, and an easier opponent in the first round of the Big 12 tournament, getting to 23 wins should be a given. They only thing that can be held against them is their .500 record in a down Big 12.

 Nebraska - 16-11 (6-8), RPI: 74, SOS: 42 

Putting them on this list is very generous. Their record isn’t good and neither are their numbers. However they have two winnable games left against ISU and Baylor and solid non-conference win against Creighton. Maybe a run to the Big 12 title game will make them sweat in anticipation on Selection Sunday? I doubt it. 

So there you have the resumes, here are my opinions. 

Texas: In, but that doesn’t make them any less of a disappoint this year. 

K-State: Out, it is pretty simple, the numbers and wins just aren’t there. 

Ok-State: In, it is hard to ignore their stats.

Texas A&M: In, for same reason as above.

Nebraska: Out, they made it interesting for awhile, but it just isn’t there.