Championship Week Recap Vol. 1
I've always thought that the conference tournaments were next to meaningless - just another way to bring in the bucks. But boy, it sure can get exciting. I'll be doing a few posts throughout the weekend highlighting some of more exciting moments from the weekend - and we've got plenty to talk about already!!!
Texas vs. Baylor:
You know I can't start talking college bball without touching on the horns first. Man-o-man, what a comeback game that was. I took a lot of heat for predicting that the horns would be one and done in the big dance (let me clarify for the greater community here - I meant that they would win 1 game and then lose in second round). This game only supports my theory that Texas is completely 1 dimensional. The only difference (and I mean the one and only difference) between that Texas team from the first half last night and the same Texas team we've seen throughout the year is that they weren't hitting their shots. Texas' offense keeps them in games. When their offense struggles, they are in trouble. Their shooting picking up (thank you Durant) coupled with Baylor simply running out of gas in the last 7 minutes was all they needed.
Augustin was pretty poor throughout the game, but came in and made a huge runner and a couple of free throws in the last couple of minutes. And that Winder kid - someone give him the player of the game - he provide the ONLY spark off the bench for this Texas team last night.
As ugly as 2/3 of this game was, they came back against some pretty heft adversity and got the win. Granted, if you get down by 20 to a lot of other teams, that comeback may not be possible, but nonetheless, it's great for confidence. I really can't see this team struggling as bad as they did last night on 2 consecutive nights, but we'll see.
I'm giving Texas a clear advantage tonight against OSU - 3 games in 3 nights is tough on anyone, especially coming off a huge win emotional win against the aggies. I say Texas by 8 today. And speaking of OSU...
Okie State vs. Texas A&M:
I can't say I'm hugely surprised by this - there's always at least one upset like this in conference tournaments. And, I put the aggies in that same category with UCLA, they really weren't playing for much here. I think they've got a #2 seed pretty much secured here barring some major mixup with upsets and what not. I also don't think that there was a lot they could have done to gain a #1 seed besides winning the whole thing and having other teams fall out of their respective tournaments early.
Big win for the Cowboys - this was the first game against a conference opponent this year that they won away from Stillwater...but they're still in the state of Oklahoma so let's not celebrate too much just yet Cowboys fans. Knocking off Texas followed by the aggie win will be a huge endeavor - one that I just don't think they can overcome. Again, Texas by 8 here.
Other Notable Games Around the Country:
- How about those Kentucky Wildcats? Is it just me or did you just know in your heart of hearts that after that game went into overtime the wildcats had no chance? Lane violation followed by a last-second 3 pointer - it was over as soon as overtime started. I know this comes up every year, but I think this may be one of the REAL opportunities that lures Barnes away from Austin. Not predicting this will happen, but if Tubby leaves Kentucky (which I think he's as good as gone), I'm putting Rick Barnes as one of the top 2 or 3 coaches on their list - they know what he's capable of and he and Tubby are very tight - Smith will push for Barnes. Think about if, coaching at UT vs. coaching at Kentucky - one's a true basketball school and one isn't. Stay tuned, could get interesting this offseason.
- I've been having an ongoing fued with a couple of loyal SportsRant readers regarding the strength of conferences and subsequent teams around the country. One in particular is the UCLA Bruins. My good friends, two of the biggest Big 12 homers I know, contend that UCLA, along with the Pac 10, is grossly overrated (they're bigger football fans so I can see their confusion here). Let me enlighten the larger group on UCLA's resume and why I believe they are a definite #1 seed and quite possibly, still the overall #1 seed: RPI Ranking: 1, Strength of Schedule: 6, Record against RPI top 50 teams: 9-1, Record against top 10 teams: 9-1. These guys had the #1 seed locked up before they even went to Seatlle to play UW on that last game of the year. Is 2 consecutive losses concerning? Sure, a little. But, like the aggies, what do they have to gain by playing hard and winning the Pac 10? Zip. These guys are a lock for the Great 8.
- Games not to miss today - most all of them. In particular: BC at UNC (upset special); Kansas at Kstate - and the game of the day, Pitt vs. G'town.
- If it all started today here are my number 1 seeds:
UCLA
Florida (I know they've struggle of late, but I think they dominate the rest of SEC)
UNC
Ohio State (weakest of the 4 - greatest chance for early upset)
On the bubble here - if one of last 3 fall short of their conf title these guys could sneak in:
Kansas (must win Big 12)
G'town (ditto for Big East)
Texas vs. Baylor:
You know I can't start talking college bball without touching on the horns first. Man-o-man, what a comeback game that was. I took a lot of heat for predicting that the horns would be one and done in the big dance (let me clarify for the greater community here - I meant that they would win 1 game and then lose in second round). This game only supports my theory that Texas is completely 1 dimensional. The only difference (and I mean the one and only difference) between that Texas team from the first half last night and the same Texas team we've seen throughout the year is that they weren't hitting their shots. Texas' offense keeps them in games. When their offense struggles, they are in trouble. Their shooting picking up (thank you Durant) coupled with Baylor simply running out of gas in the last 7 minutes was all they needed.
Augustin was pretty poor throughout the game, but came in and made a huge runner and a couple of free throws in the last couple of minutes. And that Winder kid - someone give him the player of the game - he provide the ONLY spark off the bench for this Texas team last night.
As ugly as 2/3 of this game was, they came back against some pretty heft adversity and got the win. Granted, if you get down by 20 to a lot of other teams, that comeback may not be possible, but nonetheless, it's great for confidence. I really can't see this team struggling as bad as they did last night on 2 consecutive nights, but we'll see.
I'm giving Texas a clear advantage tonight against OSU - 3 games in 3 nights is tough on anyone, especially coming off a huge win emotional win against the aggies. I say Texas by 8 today. And speaking of OSU...
Okie State vs. Texas A&M:
I can't say I'm hugely surprised by this - there's always at least one upset like this in conference tournaments. And, I put the aggies in that same category with UCLA, they really weren't playing for much here. I think they've got a #2 seed pretty much secured here barring some major mixup with upsets and what not. I also don't think that there was a lot they could have done to gain a #1 seed besides winning the whole thing and having other teams fall out of their respective tournaments early.
Big win for the Cowboys - this was the first game against a conference opponent this year that they won away from Stillwater...but they're still in the state of Oklahoma so let's not celebrate too much just yet Cowboys fans. Knocking off Texas followed by the aggie win will be a huge endeavor - one that I just don't think they can overcome. Again, Texas by 8 here.
Other Notable Games Around the Country:
- How about those Kentucky Wildcats? Is it just me or did you just know in your heart of hearts that after that game went into overtime the wildcats had no chance? Lane violation followed by a last-second 3 pointer - it was over as soon as overtime started. I know this comes up every year, but I think this may be one of the REAL opportunities that lures Barnes away from Austin. Not predicting this will happen, but if Tubby leaves Kentucky (which I think he's as good as gone), I'm putting Rick Barnes as one of the top 2 or 3 coaches on their list - they know what he's capable of and he and Tubby are very tight - Smith will push for Barnes. Think about if, coaching at UT vs. coaching at Kentucky - one's a true basketball school and one isn't. Stay tuned, could get interesting this offseason.
- I've been having an ongoing fued with a couple of loyal SportsRant readers regarding the strength of conferences and subsequent teams around the country. One in particular is the UCLA Bruins. My good friends, two of the biggest Big 12 homers I know, contend that UCLA, along with the Pac 10, is grossly overrated (they're bigger football fans so I can see their confusion here). Let me enlighten the larger group on UCLA's resume and why I believe they are a definite #1 seed and quite possibly, still the overall #1 seed: RPI Ranking: 1, Strength of Schedule: 6, Record against RPI top 50 teams: 9-1, Record against top 10 teams: 9-1. These guys had the #1 seed locked up before they even went to Seatlle to play UW on that last game of the year. Is 2 consecutive losses concerning? Sure, a little. But, like the aggies, what do they have to gain by playing hard and winning the Pac 10? Zip. These guys are a lock for the Great 8.
- Games not to miss today - most all of them. In particular: BC at UNC (upset special); Kansas at Kstate - and the game of the day, Pitt vs. G'town.
- If it all started today here are my number 1 seeds:
UCLA
Florida (I know they've struggle of late, but I think they dominate the rest of SEC)
UNC
Ohio State (weakest of the 4 - greatest chance for early upset)
On the bubble here - if one of last 3 fall short of their conf title these guys could sneak in:
Kansas (must win Big 12)
G'town (ditto for Big East)
posted by The Bearden Wonder at 11:03 AM
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