Big 12 Basketball Update & Power Rankings

February 12th Big 12 Basketball update

This isn’t the best year for the Big 12. If the NCAA tournament was selected today, you probably would have three locks to make the field of 65. They are Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri. That makes sense because they are the top three teams in the standings.

Then it becomes a bit of a scramble. You have several teams that are probably fighting for two more berths. At this point, it does not appear that the Big 12 will send more than five to the tournament.

So let’s look at the contenders:

Texas (16-7, 5-4)

Good wins – UCLA (68-64), Villanova (67-58)

Good losses – Michigan State (67-63), Oklahoma (78-63), Missouri (69-65)

Bad losses – Arkansas (67-61), Notre Dame (81-80)

Analysis – The Longhorns are in very good shape to make the tournament. Their non-conference schedule was among the toughest in the country. But they’re certainly not a lock right now because of a recent three-game slide. The RPI is petty solid at 38. But the Longhorns control their destiny. They have a home game with Oklahoma on Feb. 21 and play at Kansas on March 7. One little thing that would help them is if Wisconsin can get it together in the second half of the Big 10 season. Should Texas get to the 20-win plateau, count Rick Barnes’ crew in the field.

Nebraska (15-7, 5-4)

Good wins – Texas (58-55), Missouri (56-51),

Good losses – Oklahoma (72-61), Kansas (68-62)

Bad losses – Maryland-Baltimore County (64-63), Iowa State (65-53)

Analysis – The Cornhuskers are hot with a three-game winning streak going into Saturday’s game at Missouri. They have a loss to Arizona State but they were blown out, 64-44. The non-conference schedule is nothing great and it’s reflected in an uninspiring RPI of 69. Really, the Cornhuskers can’t afford any more slipups. They still have to go to Kansas and Kansas State. But 10 wins in the conference and an appearance in the tournament semifinals can help build the case. Anything less and they are looking at the NIT.

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Kansas State (17-7, 6-4)

Good wins – Texas (85-81 OT), Missouri (88-72)

Good losses – Oklahoma (61-53), Kentucky (74-72)

Bad losses – Oregon (75-70), Iowa (65-63)

Analysis – The Big 12’s hottest team carries a six-game winning streak into Saturday’s home game against Kansas. The Wildcats really need to win this game if they are going to make their case to the NCAA tournament selection committee. The RPI of 72 weakens the case and the losses to Oregon and Iowa, who are running at the bottom of the Pac 10 and Big 10 respectively, are really hurting them. A 20-win season is not enough. Like Nebraska, an appearance in the conference tournament semifinals will help. Anything less and they also might be looking at the NIT.

Notable

Baylor’s undisciplined style of play has pretty much taken the Bears out of the NCAA tournament hunt. A six-game losing streak dropped the record to 3-7 in conference play. Their defense – or lack thereof – is the culprit. During the streak, they are allowing 83 points per game.

Power Rankings

1. Oklahoma
2. Kansas
3. Missouri
4. Kansas State
5. Nebraska
6. Texas
7. Oklahoma State
8. Texas A&M
9. Baylor
10. Texas Tech
11. Iowa St.
12. Colorado

By Kevin Lonnquist
Big 12 Fans Correspondant

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