I don’t think the Big 12 knows how to function when Kansas doesn’t win the regular season. By Sunday evening, everyone in the alleged best conference in the country except Texas Tech had begun their off-season.
The Sooners didn’t put up much of a fight against No. 1-seed Virginia, a team that is relieved to be in the Sweet 16 after being knocked off by a 16 seed in last year’s tournament. Tony Bennett’s Cavs didn’t allow Oklahoma to get anything going offensively. The Sooners were thoroughly whipped in the paint and they went cold from outside. They looked much like the team that slogged through a 7-11 record in conference play.
The Big 12 embarrassed itself with Iowa State and Kansas State both losing to lower seeds. At least the Wildcats had the excuse of not having forward Dean Wade due to injury. The Cyclones appeared to finally hit their stride in winning the Big 12 tournament, but they lost to an Ohio State team that earned an 11 seed. The ACC and SEC account for nine of the remaining 16 teams. The Big Ten has three teams still in the tournament. All the Cinderellas have been sent packing, including a University of Central Florida team that came within a bounce from taking down mighty Duke. Surely we can agree that watching 7-6 Tacko Fall dunk a basketball while barely leaving his feet was one of the great joys of the first two rounds. If only Johnny Dawkins’ son had capped his remarkable performance by tipping the ball home at the buzzer.
Alas, our best hope is former SWC teams Texas Tech and Houston both advancing to the Final Four. With Corey Davis Jr. and Galen Robinson Jr., the Cougars may have the best backcourt of the 16 teams. That Houston coach Kelvin Sampson isn’t one of the coaches connected to this current college-basketball scandal is a small miracle. He has a hugely talented team that ran Ohio State off the court Sunday. I think the Cougars will beat No. 2-seed Kentucky on Friday and advance to the Elite Eight. CBS’ Ian Eagle keeps talking about an “undermanned” Kentucky team, which means they’ve been limited to six McDonald’s All-Americans rather than seven.
The Red Raiders advanced to the Sweet 16 for the second straight season by putting high-scoring Buffalo in a head lock. It was close with three minutes left in the first half, but Tech held Buffalo without a field goal on 19 consecutive possessions. Tech has to face No. 2-seed Michigan, but the Red Raiders will have the best player on the court in Jarrett Culver. The sophomore has already played himself into the NBA lottery, and he’s capable of leading Tech to the Final Four. I could see him playing his way into a top-five pick in the draft.
This is a deeper team than the one that lost to Villanova in the regional final last season. Guards Matt Mooney and Davide Moretti can knock down three-pointers, while Tariq Owens and Norense Odiase are relentless on the glass, combining for 22 rebounds in Sunday’s win.
Texas Tech was by far the best team in the conference over the last three weeks of the regular season. And with their mix of youth and experience, I don’t see them being intimidated at all against Michigan. I have worried about Tech’s ability to score in the past, but Culver is the type of player who can put the team on his back if necessary. Tech is too good on defense to dig itself a hole Thursday. And they absolutely have the depth to stay with Gonzaga, if that matchup occurs. Baylor was overwhelmed by Zags big man Brandon Clarke to the tune of 36 points and five blocks. That wouldn’t happen with Odiase and Owens patrolling the paint.
Speaking of the Bears, Scott Drew did one of the best coaching jobs of his career to get the Bears into the second round. They were in big trouble at the half against Gonzaga, but fought back to within five points early in the second half. Senior forward Mark Vital scored nine straight points before two quick fouls sent him to the bench. The Bears eventually succumbed 83-71 to Gonzaga, but it was an inspired performance. With two sharpshooting transfers (who sat out this season) to go along with big man Tristan Clark, the Bears could challenge for the Big 12 title next season. By the way, one of those transfers, Davion Mitchell, was stuck behind the great Jared Harper at Auburn.
Anything seems possible now that Kansas was finally knocked off its perch. The Jayhawks were thoroughly outclassed by an Auburn team that loves to shoot at least 30 three-pointers per game. I love hearing how Bill Self faced so much adversity this season. His program has been connected to the scandal, but it would take more than a wiretap for this man to ever miss a game. The KU administrators were surely laughing at LSU for suspending head basketball coach Will Wade.
Maybe the conference needs the Jayhawks to get back on top in order for everyone to know their roles. It seems Chris Beard and the Red Raiders are the only ones who don’t mind the new hierarchy.