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KUAD: Postgame box score, recap
LJW Photos
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AUDIO: KU-Texas highlights with Bob Davis and Greg Gurley
VIDEO: CBS interviews Coach Self and BG postgame
VIDEO: CBS postgame wrap
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AUDIO: KU-Texas highlights with Bob Davis and Greg Gurley
VIDEO: CBS interviews Coach Self and BG postgame
VIDEO: CBS postgame wrap
Diving headfirst, Traylor beat Holland to the basketball, then rolled it over his head to teammate Frank Mason, who put in a layup with a foul in transition.
“He had a whole bunch of sequences where he was all over the court, but that one where he dove, that pretty much changed the game, the whole momentum for us,” KU forward Perry Ellis said. “It got all of us hyped up.”
Self showed rare in-game celebration after the sequence. He pumped both fists separately then jammed them in the air together, screaming out to the crowd in jubilation.
TCJ
JayhawkSlant.com image
Let Traylor describe the action that so impressed Self and the bench: “I got my shot blocked. I ran down and blocked one. The ball bounced to me. I had to jump inbounds real quick to save it. I tried to get a good offensive rebound (off a Brannen Greene miss). I ended up falling into the crowd, falling on a cameraman. I was on my way back down, the ball happened to be rolling. I ran and dove to it. Frank (Mason III) ended up getting an and-one. It was pretty crazy.
“I feel it gave us a lot of energy, pumped up energy into everybody and got everybody going. I looked at the bench and everybody was hyped so I was like, ‘Oh man, it must have been something,’” Traylor added.
LJW
Traylor’s modest production of two points and four rebounds in 20 minutes was highlighted by eight “floor burns” – specialty hustle stats kept by KU. Former KU player Wayne Simien Jr. Tweeted: “Tattoos are in style but floor burns are better.”
Couple the Jayhawks’ effort with their offensive efficiency and it was a formula for a road win. Kansas shot “just” 43.5 percent from the floor but they committed just three turnovers – none in the second half.
“There are lots of ways to look at stats,” Self said when his team’s shooting percentage was mentioned. “If you don’t turn it over very often, then your shooting percentage isn’t as big a factor. Our shot selection was good and I thought our offensive efficiency was the best it’s been all year,”
The Longhorns (14-5, 3-3) found themselves on the opposite side in the offensive efficiency discussion. UT’s starting front court of Jonathan Holmes, Cam Ridley and Connor Lammert combined to attempt 19 shots – and 10 of those attempts were 3-pointers (five each by Holmes and Lammert).
"We're one of the biggest teams in the country and we don't take advantage of it," said Holmes, who finished with 14 points. "I don't understand it."
Big12Sports.com
1/24/15, 4:35 PM
Out hustled them today#rockchalk#roadwin#traylor
@CoachTownsend
1/24/15, 4:40 PM
One of the greatest in-game sequences I have ever witnessed as a coach. Toughness travels on the road
@Coachjhoward
TCJ image
1/24/15, 11:45 AM
Live DJ at this Texas-Kansas game. He's posted up about 20 feet from press row. ... Gotta resist the urge to Tootsie Roll and make requests.
@MedcalfByESPN
1/24/15, 12:00 PM
#Big12Insider The Erwin Center is "Club Erwin" this season with DJ pumpin' jams before and during the game. pic.twitter.com/bobCQVjcOB
@Big12Conference
1/24/15, 12:53 PM
The Erwin Center has an in-house DJ, and he's playing House music, and it is not, uhh, good.
@rustindodd
UTAD image
1/24/15, 1:02 PM
Texas' starting lineup announcements include turning the lights off and a huge disco ball. #KeepAustinWeird
@jessenewell
Texas' starting lineup announcements include turning the lights off and a huge disco ball. #KeepAustinWeird
@jessenewell
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UTAD image
1/24/15, 2:30 PM
Said before Utah that NBA scout I trust thinks KU's Brannen Greene will play in league because of G size & stroke. D can keep him on floor.
@franfraschilla
1/24/15, 2:31 PM
I don't know if Kansas will pull this out but it is fun watching this young team grow up. Showing excellent poise today.
@SethDavisHoops
1/24/15, 2:33 PM
Coaches: Never, ever problem in college or HS playing 2 or more PG's at same time. Like it when KU plays Mason/Graham together. #co-pilots
@franfraschilla
1/24/15, 2:40 PM
BG EAT !!!!!!!
@tyshawntaylor
LJW image
1/24/15, 2:41 PM
KU up 7 with 6 mins to play. Cliff Alexander is a grown man today.
@SethDavisHoops
1/24/15, 2:44 PM
Never would have guessed before the season that one of Kansas' biggest strengths would turn out to be point guard play.
@JeffEisenberg
1/24/15, 2:44 PM
Kansas' starting PG Frank Mason originally committed to Towson. Just making sure you know.
@SethDavisHoops
1/24/15, 2:44 PM
Kansas straight BALLIN' right now.
@CBSSportsCBB
1/24/15, 2:44 PM
I love frank game...
@tyshawntaylor
1/24/15, 2:47 PM
Just like that. Kansas up by 10. Jayhawks don't have a superstar or anything. As gritty as past teams though. They'll just outwork you.
@MedcalfByESPN
1/24/15, 2:54 PM
Zero turnovers in the second half is impressive from Kansas but worth noting Texas only forces 10.3 per game — 12th least nationally.
@JeffEisenberg
1/24/15, 2:59 PM
Kansas will be 5-1 in the Big 12, and it's already done with Iowa State, Texas and Baylor on the road. Good luck ending the streak, Big 12.
@JeffEisenberg
1/24/15, 3:00 PM
Now playing: The Rock Chalk Chant live from Austin
@NaismithCourt
1/24/15, 3:00 PM
Kansas won't win the Big 12 one day. One day it'll happen. I'm sure of it.
@jeffborzello
1/24/15, 3:00 PM
Devonte Graham really reminds me of Aaron Miles. Added so much today next to Frank Mason in KU's back court. Talented freshman PG has "it".
@JonRothstein
1/24/15, 3:01 PM
The team that the experts, AKA "inner circle" said would challenge #kubball for the Big 12 just lost by double figures at home to KU.
@bobfescoe
1/24/15, 3:02 PM
We play with that same effort and intensity on both sides of the ball the rest of the season, 11 is locked @KUHoops
@waynesimien
1/24/15, 3:02 PM
I predicted Kansas' streak would end this year, but now think Jayhawks win it again. Iowa State to me is only one that can challenge.
@GoodmanESPN
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1/24/15, 4:07 PM
Big time win! Shout out to our fans for being louder than UTs down the stretch! Always awesome to hear the rock chalk chant at an away game!
@T_Self11
1/24/15, 4:15 PM
The University of Kansas ... I love you
@K_Ctmd22
1/24/15, 4:25 PM
Great road win today #KUCMB
@F_Mason0
1/24/15, 4:33 PM
@F_Mason0 proud of yall lil homie...keep it goin
@TarikBlack25
1/24/15, 5:20 PM
Texas Tech holds on to beat Iowa State. Court storm in Lubbock. Could end up costing Cyclones Big 12 title.
@ESPNAndyKatz
1/24/15, 5:20 PM
The Big 12's depth was on full display today. Texas Tech beats Iowa State and TCU takes WVU to OT. Best league in America. Not close.
@JonRothstein
The Jayhawks. On the road. Facing a Texas team that had whipped them by double digits a year ago in the same building and added more size in the offseason, about the same time the Jayhawks lost a pair of lottery picks.
It’s Saturday afternoon in Austin on a warmish day that finally felt like Texas following a frigid stretch. The Jayhawks were leading but not feeling safe. And that’s common in a conference with six, seven or perhaps eight NCAA tournament teams.
Deep in the second half of No. 11 Kansas’ 75-62 win at No. 17 Texas, Mason got the rock and scrambled for a vacant plot on the Frank Erwin Center’s orange interior, just to the right of the second Roman numeral on the “XII” stamp positioned horizontally below the charity stripe.
Mason, who did not commit a turnover on Saturday, darted to the rim and scored. Mason hit a big shot. Mason led.
…For the 11th consecutive season, Kansas has settled into a first-place slot in the league.
The most uncertain element of Kansas basketball throughout this brilliant decade of dominance has been tied to the uncertainty of the most important position on the floor. Name the point guard, and there’s probably a related event that involves a beet-red Coach Self berating him.
…Mason? He navigated the roster with tact. He encouraged his teammates. He bonded with them. And on the court, he performed. He didn’t demand a leadership role. He just proved that he deserved it.
“I just had to rationalize in my mind the things I need to do and what Coach needs me to do,” Mason said, “and try and go see him in the office as much as possible and go over the things he wants me to do on and off the court to be the best leader than I can.”
…Mason (12 points, four assists and zero turnovers) led the Jayhawks through that final stretch in a tough road game. And that’s the difference between the champs and the rest each year.
ESPN Medcalf
Considering Kansas has lost only five home games in the past eight years and is already done with road games at Iowa State, Texas and Baylor this season, the Jayhawks have to feel good about their chances of hoisting another league title trophy in March. The toughest road games they have left in Big 12 play are at West Virginia on Feb. 16, at Kansas State on Feb. 23 and at Oklahoma on March 7.
The biggest reason Kansas has made a strong case that it's still the class of the Big 12 is because the position that has been its biggest weakness the past couple seasons has turned out to be one of its biggest strengths this year. Sophomore Frank Mason has seized the starting point guard job with his excellent dribble penetration, court vision and decision making and freshman Devonte Graham has proven to be a valuable reserve with his passing and outside shooting.
…The final insult for the Longhorns came in the waning seconds when the pocket of Jayhawks fans in the arena serenaded them with chants of "Rock Chalk Jayhawk."
It was a fitting moment because these days even on the road, Kansas is feeling right at home.
Yahoo Sports
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Texas needed this game. Period. The Longhorns needed it the way the Cyclones needed last Saturday. If you don't handle Rock Chalk on your home court, good luck trying for a split at Allen Fieldhouse, where the Jayhawks allow opponents almost 10 fewer points per game than they do anyplace else on the planet.
Draw a line through Rick Barnes' name. Stick a fork in Bevo's backside. KU's 75-62 victory at Frank Erwin Center in Austin drops another challenger from the Big 12 fight card, and shoots Bill Self's Run To 11 safely through another gauntlet.
The 'Horns, America's preseason vogue pick to put an end to the Jayhawks' 10 straight league crowns, has now lost two of its first three Big 12 home tilts, in a year where protecting home court means more than ever.
Texas needed this game.
Kansas wanted it more.
Fox Sports Keeler
Early Saturday morning, in the hours before Kansas’ 75-62 statement win over Texas, freshman forward Cliff Alexander was on the floor of Erwin Center, absorbing a shot to his sternum during the Jayhawks’ pregame shootaround.
Alexander, Kansas’ mercurial 6-foot-8 big man, grimaced as a large body part thwacked his chest and jostled a tender and bruised sternum.
Kansas coach Bill Self, standing off to the side, was suddenly worried. In just a few hours, the 11th-ranked Jayhawks would take the floor against No. 17 Texas and a frontcourt that featured a 285-pound center (Cameron Ridley), a 7-foot freshman (Myles Turner) and two other forwards that stand 6-9 or taller.
“I’m thinking that Ridley’s gonna knock the crap out of him,” Self said, “but he fought through it.”
By late Saturday afternoon, the Jayhawks had indeed taken a few body shots from Texas’ beefy frontline. But they emerged unscathed and emboldened, a young team growing up on the national stage, securing a pivotal road victory in front of a capacity crowd of 16,540 inside the Erwin Center.
…“You can’t be giddy over one performance or one win,” Self said. “But you almost feel like you’re watching them grow up right in front of you.”
KC Star
Add it all up, and the Jayhawks sit 16-3 overall and 5-1 in the Big 12 with a game lead in the loss column over Kansas State, Iowa State and West Virginia.
“It’s still so early, but obviously, we’ve put ourself in about as good a position as we can be in after six games,” Self said. “If you’d have told me we’d be 5-1 after six, I’d have said we’d have played really well, because the three road games we’ve had have been tough games.”
Ellis added 14 points on 6-for-12 shooting, while Isaiah Taylor led Texas (14-5, 3-3 Big 12) with 23.
Afterward, just a few steps outside the locker room, Self called it “the best road game we’ve played in a long time, maybe years.”
It might also signal a turning point for KU — an indication that most of the growing pains might be behind this year's team.
“If we play the way that I think the game’s supposed to be played, with energy and unselfishness and those things,” Self said, “I think I could fall in love with this group.”
TCJ
AP image
1 - Cliff Alexander: Aggressiveness beats height every time. Playing against one of the nation’s tallest teams, the freshman from Chicago powered his way to 15 points, nine rebounds, two assists and a blocked shot.
2 - Brannen Greene: Quickly got Kansas back in the game with eight quick points right after he checked in and hit a pair of huge shots in second half as well. Had 14 points and four rebounds in 20 minutes. Made 4 of 5 three-pointers. Has played 35 minutes combined in past two games and made 9 of 13 field goals and 7 of 9 three-pointers.
3 - Perry Ellis: Active and unafraid to take it to the Texas big men, Ellis totaled 14 points, five rebounds and three assists with a steal and a blocked shot.
LJW Keegan Ratings
“That’s the best game ... that’s the best road game we’ve played in a long time. I mean maybe years, in large part because we took care of the ball,” Self said after his squad tied a school-record with just three turnovers — fewest in a game since 1966 when KU had three versus Iowa State.
“Our shot selection was good, even though they blocked some shots (nine to KU’s four). Our first-shot defense for the most part was pretty good. We played to scouting report pretty well. I thought our offensive efficiency was the best it’s been all year,” Self added.
…“I thought Frank and Devonté just totally controlled the game the second half (in which KU expanded on 32-30 halftime lead),” Self said.
…“We haven’t seen Cliff run like that all year,” Self said. “The great thing about Cliff is he’s had a bruised sternum. Then somebody hit him this morning (at shoot-around). I’m thinking Ridley (Cameron, eight points, four boards) is going to knock the crap out of him, but he fought through it. He got four dunks blocked and still he took it right at the rim every time. He was impressive.”
Self also lauded Brannen Greene (14 points, four threes after not practicing two straight days after running into Perry Ellis’ elbow at practice) as “great” and said the sophomore guard “bailed us out.”
KU’s 12th-year coach saved probably the highest praise for junior Jamari Traylor, who was credited with a whopping eight floor burns (dives for loose balls).
…“I thought that was the best play I’ve seen since I’ve been at Kansas. I don’t think there’s ever been a better hustle play than that one,” Self said of the action that came shortly after Traylor’s rejection of a Holland shot. KU led 26-21 following Mason’s bucket and free throw.
“It was unbelievable. Plays like that give your team momentum and give your team confidence. That was a helluva play,” Self added.
LJW
Greene got hit by a Perry Ellis elbow at practice, keeping him from normal basketball activities. He had a shiner under his right eye.
“He hasn’t practiced in the last two days. He just shot (on the side). We held him out of contact,” coach Bill Self said. “They said it may have been slight (concussion). He had a headache. He said he could go. Doctors don’t mess with that.”
“My eye is not swollen, just black,” Greene said.
Ellis explained: “I think he ran into me. I got the ball in the middle, turned around. He came and ran into my elbow. That’s how it happened (practicing against zone).”
LJW
“We worked the middle (of UT zone). Coach told us, ‘Get the ball to the middle. It’s open every time.’ We got easy shots,” Alexander said of KU’s big men.
…“We were playing the post before they could get comfortable in the post,” Alexander said of big man strategy.
LJW
2 - Brannen Greene: Quickly got Kansas back in the game with eight quick points right after he checked in and hit a pair of huge shots in second half as well. Had 14 points and four rebounds in 20 minutes. Made 4 of 5 three-pointers. Has played 35 minutes combined in past two games and made 9 of 13 field goals and 7 of 9 three-pointers.
3 - Perry Ellis: Active and unafraid to take it to the Texas big men, Ellis totaled 14 points, five rebounds and three assists with a steal and a blocked shot.
LJW Keegan Ratings
“That’s the best game ... that’s the best road game we’ve played in a long time. I mean maybe years, in large part because we took care of the ball,” Self said after his squad tied a school-record with just three turnovers — fewest in a game since 1966 when KU had three versus Iowa State.
“Our shot selection was good, even though they blocked some shots (nine to KU’s four). Our first-shot defense for the most part was pretty good. We played to scouting report pretty well. I thought our offensive efficiency was the best it’s been all year,” Self added.
…“I thought Frank and Devonté just totally controlled the game the second half (in which KU expanded on 32-30 halftime lead),” Self said.
…“We haven’t seen Cliff run like that all year,” Self said. “The great thing about Cliff is he’s had a bruised sternum. Then somebody hit him this morning (at shoot-around). I’m thinking Ridley (Cameron, eight points, four boards) is going to knock the crap out of him, but he fought through it. He got four dunks blocked and still he took it right at the rim every time. He was impressive.”
Self also lauded Brannen Greene (14 points, four threes after not practicing two straight days after running into Perry Ellis’ elbow at practice) as “great” and said the sophomore guard “bailed us out.”
KU’s 12th-year coach saved probably the highest praise for junior Jamari Traylor, who was credited with a whopping eight floor burns (dives for loose balls).
…“I thought that was the best play I’ve seen since I’ve been at Kansas. I don’t think there’s ever been a better hustle play than that one,” Self said of the action that came shortly after Traylor’s rejection of a Holland shot. KU led 26-21 following Mason’s bucket and free throw.
“It was unbelievable. Plays like that give your team momentum and give your team confidence. That was a helluva play,” Self added.
LJW
Greene got hit by a Perry Ellis elbow at practice, keeping him from normal basketball activities. He had a shiner under his right eye.
“He hasn’t practiced in the last two days. He just shot (on the side). We held him out of contact,” coach Bill Self said. “They said it may have been slight (concussion). He had a headache. He said he could go. Doctors don’t mess with that.”
“My eye is not swollen, just black,” Greene said.
Ellis explained: “I think he ran into me. I got the ball in the middle, turned around. He came and ran into my elbow. That’s how it happened (practicing against zone).”
LJW
“We worked the middle (of UT zone). Coach told us, ‘Get the ball to the middle. It’s open every time.’ We got easy shots,” Alexander said of KU’s big men.
…“We were playing the post before they could get comfortable in the post,” Alexander said of big man strategy.
LJW
Link to above Campus Insiders video
“Myles, we need to get him to the free-throw line a lot,” Barnes said after Turner totaled eight points and eight rebounds in UT’s 75-62 loss to KU in which Turner did not shoot a free throw.
Turner averages 11.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game and shoots .883 from the line.
“You see him, you watch him play,” Barnes said. “He should be on the block all the time. I think he could be a dominant 12-foot-and-in player. He doesn’t have to get in there and try to be physical. I just think he catches that thing anywhere from 10, 12 feet in, I think he can dominate. But he’s got to want to do it all the time. And then his teammates have to want to get him the ball. That’s a big part of it too.”
Alexander was ranked No. 4 by Rivals in the Class of 2014, Turner No. 9.
“I played against Myles Turner all the time in high school,” Alexander said. “He’s got a nice game, got a little touch, can shoot the three, face up, shoot the short jump shot, got a pretty decent game.”
Asked if he is surprised Turner does not spend more time closer to the basket, Alexander didn’t duck the question.
“He’s kind of thin,” Alexander said. “He’s kind of thin, down low. I mean, he can still work out down there. He’s just kind of thin, that’s all.”
Jonathan Holmes lamented the entire team’s inability to cash in on size.
“We’re one of the biggest teams in the country,” Holmes said. “We need to understand that. I don’t think we take advantage of it. It’s frustrating. It’s something we talk about every day.”
LJW
@JoshKlingler image
Kansas found a solution for Texas' size and muscle: pinpoint passing and nearly flawless handling of the basketball.
Ruthlessly efficient on offense and willing to match Texas' physical effort under the basket, the No. 11 Jayhawks snagged a key 75-62 Big 12 road win Saturday.
Texas did what it could to energize its best home crowd of the season. The Longhorns' mascot "Hook'Em" dropped about five stories down to the middle of the court and thousands of balloons were released from the rafters just before tipoff.
The Longhorns fed off the energy for a quick 11-2 lead but a Kansas program that has won 10 consecutive Big 12 titles isn't one to be rattled by a little showmanship.
The loss is a tough blow to Texas' conference title hopes, which could all but end if the Longhorns lose at No. 9 Iowa State on Monday night.
AP
I've been as skeptical as anyone of Kansas this season. The Jayhawks have looked sloppy at times, and abjectly terrible at their worst against Temple and Kentucky. But this young team -- currently in the bottom 15 nationally in experience, per KenPom -- is really starting to gel at the right time. They're 16-3, including a 5-1 mark over a Big 12 slate that has already featured three road games against ranked foes. Yeah, we're still going to see inconsistencies in-game with this team, like we did against Oklahoma earlier this week and against Iowa State last week. But they're becoming fewer and farther between.
This isn't necessarily a "great" Kansas team. But it one that's good enough to be considered the favorite in the Big 12 going forward, which is something I'm surprised to be saying nearly mid-way through conference season.
CBS Nightcourt
Ruthlessly efficient on offense and willing to match Texas' physical effort under the basket, the No. 11 Jayhawks snagged a key 75-62 Big 12 road win Saturday.
Texas did what it could to energize its best home crowd of the season. The Longhorns' mascot "Hook'Em" dropped about five stories down to the middle of the court and thousands of balloons were released from the rafters just before tipoff.
The Longhorns fed off the energy for a quick 11-2 lead but a Kansas program that has won 10 consecutive Big 12 titles isn't one to be rattled by a little showmanship.
The loss is a tough blow to Texas' conference title hopes, which could all but end if the Longhorns lose at No. 9 Iowa State on Monday night.
AP
I've been as skeptical as anyone of Kansas this season. The Jayhawks have looked sloppy at times, and abjectly terrible at their worst against Temple and Kentucky. But this young team -- currently in the bottom 15 nationally in experience, per KenPom -- is really starting to gel at the right time. They're 16-3, including a 5-1 mark over a Big 12 slate that has already featured three road games against ranked foes. Yeah, we're still going to see inconsistencies in-game with this team, like we did against Oklahoma earlier this week and against Iowa State last week. But they're becoming fewer and farther between.
This isn't necessarily a "great" Kansas team. But it one that's good enough to be considered the favorite in the Big 12 going forward, which is something I'm surprised to be saying nearly mid-way through conference season.
CBS Nightcourt
Link to above ESPN video
The game notes for Saturday’s Kansas University women’s basketball game against West Virginia featured each Jayhawk wearing a superimposed mask to celebrate Superhero Day at Allen Fieldhouse.
Sitting smack dab in the middle of the photos of KU’s starters was senior Chelsea Gardner sporting an Iron Man mask, and, when the teams took the floor, Gardner did her best Iron Man impersonation, leading Kansas to a 65-59 victory behind 20 points and a career-high 20 rebounds.
Gardner’s monster day marked the first time a Jayhawk had topped 20 and 20 since Tracey Claxton recorded 36 points and grabbed 28 rebounds in a 1981 victory over Pacific Christian.
The double-double was Gardner’s first in Big 12 play this season and did not come from the Jayhawks dumping the ball to her in the post. Most of her points and rebounds came within the normal flow of the offense. Fellow seniors Asia Boyd (15 points, Thor mask) and Natalie Knight (14, Flash) also reached double figures in scoring on a day when the Jayhawks (11-9 overall, 2-5 Big 12) trailed by 10 in the first half and four at halftime before taking charge in the final 20 minutes.
“They should do it, they’re capable of doing it, and this team needs for them to do it,” KU coach Bonnie Henrickson said of the three KU seniors.
LJW
“Pay Heed. The game you love began here. Respect those who came before you. Make their legacy your own. Because destiny favors the dedicated. And rings don’t replace work. In this game you don’t get what you want. You get what you earn. We are Kansas. Together we rise. Rock Chalk Jayhawk!
Big 12 / College News
Link to above ESPN video
Is the Big 12 really as good as we think it is -- the best conference in the land, to be exact, -- or is it just a bunch of similarly decent, not exceptional, teams beating up on one another?
It's certainly worth asking after a wacky Saturday afternoon in which West Virginia needed overtime and a whistle to beat TCU at home and Iowa State followed it up with a confounding 78-73 loss at Texas Tech.
Because here's the reality: the Big 12's big eight (Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Baylor, Texas and West Virginia) were a pedestrian 12-11 against the RPI top 50 in the nonconference. The "signature" wins? Utah, Georgetown, Michigan State, Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa (twice), Butler, Tulsa (twice) and NC State.
Of those 12 teams, only one -- Utah -- is even in the Top 25 right now.
So what exactly are we seeing here? We're seeing good players with good coaches put together some entertaining games. But outside of the Big 12 bubble, how will it stack up?
That question will be answered with finality come March, but it bears considering now, as the conference continues to receive accolades and praise and rack up its own spots in said Top 25.
…But here's the Cyclones' dirty little secret: They've played only four true road games this year and now have lost two of them. Just how much magic is in Hilton Coliseum will be determined here as the season winds down, with six games on the road coming up for Iowa State.
Here's the other reality: Iowa State's best wins outside of the league came against Alabama, Arkansas and Iowa. So let's see, Alabama last week lost by 22 to Kentucky, and Iowa lost to Wisconsin by 32 -- and the Badgers didn't have their starting point guard.
ESPN O’Neil
On Saturday, players acknowledged not taking their last-place opponent seriously.
"We get amped up against Kansas, but when we play Texas Tech, it's not the same outcome," said Morris, who scored 20 points. "We saw 'Tech' across their jersey and took them for granted. That's all it was. They gave it their best shot."
Des Moines Register
The depth of the Big 12 means every game carries great weight. With only 2.5 games separating eight teams in the standings, Saturday's matchup between No. 19 Oklahoma and No. 22 Baylor was a chance for both teams to show they are still contenders.
The two teams met once already on Jan. 3, a game the Sooners won by 10. The Bears flipped the script on Saturday by grinding out a 69-58 home win, led by 17 points from junior guard Lester Medford.
The game was scrappy from the start, with Oklahoma taking more than 11 minutes to score 12 points as Baylor jumped out to an 18-10 lead.
SI
Weber has gone from having one of the most disappointing teams in the country to doing one of the more impressive coaching jobs in the country. Nino Williams has been terrific recently, averaging 20 points over his last three. Next week is going to be the critical, tell-tale sign of just how legitimate this team is. The Wildcats have a home game against West Virginia and a road game against Kansas. If they somehow win those two, I'll be pretty much all in on the Wildcats being an NCAA Tournament team despite their hideous non-conference resume.
…Juwan Staten dropped an 18-point, 12-assist line against TCU in that wild win. That's the first time he's ever cracked the double-digit barrier in the assist column.
…Oklahoma's got some worrying to do. First off, the Sooners fell 69-58 and lost pace late against Baylor. The teams split the season series. So that's No. 1. No. 2? Point guard Isaiah Cousins left the game with an injured wrist. We'll wait and see what happens with that and how serious it is. No. 3: Oklahoma's now 12-7 overall and has lost four of five, leading to a 3-4 Big 12 record. Sooners are going to have to pick up some wins to feel comfortable in getting a single-digit seed. But if this continues, it's quite possible Oklahoma could be a 19-win team in the NCAA Tournament that's very dangerous.
CBS Nightcourt
Complete ESPN Networks schedule
Big 12 Composite Schedule & Results
Is the Big 12 really as good as we think it is -- the best conference in the land, to be exact, -- or is it just a bunch of similarly decent, not exceptional, teams beating up on one another?
It's certainly worth asking after a wacky Saturday afternoon in which West Virginia needed overtime and a whistle to beat TCU at home and Iowa State followed it up with a confounding 78-73 loss at Texas Tech.
Because here's the reality: the Big 12's big eight (Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Baylor, Texas and West Virginia) were a pedestrian 12-11 against the RPI top 50 in the nonconference. The "signature" wins? Utah, Georgetown, Michigan State, Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa (twice), Butler, Tulsa (twice) and NC State.
Of those 12 teams, only one -- Utah -- is even in the Top 25 right now.
So what exactly are we seeing here? We're seeing good players with good coaches put together some entertaining games. But outside of the Big 12 bubble, how will it stack up?
That question will be answered with finality come March, but it bears considering now, as the conference continues to receive accolades and praise and rack up its own spots in said Top 25.
…But here's the Cyclones' dirty little secret: They've played only four true road games this year and now have lost two of them. Just how much magic is in Hilton Coliseum will be determined here as the season winds down, with six games on the road coming up for Iowa State.
Here's the other reality: Iowa State's best wins outside of the league came against Alabama, Arkansas and Iowa. So let's see, Alabama last week lost by 22 to Kentucky, and Iowa lost to Wisconsin by 32 -- and the Badgers didn't have their starting point guard.
ESPN O’Neil
On Saturday, players acknowledged not taking their last-place opponent seriously.
"We get amped up against Kansas, but when we play Texas Tech, it's not the same outcome," said Morris, who scored 20 points. "We saw 'Tech' across their jersey and took them for granted. That's all it was. They gave it their best shot."
Des Moines Register
The depth of the Big 12 means every game carries great weight. With only 2.5 games separating eight teams in the standings, Saturday's matchup between No. 19 Oklahoma and No. 22 Baylor was a chance for both teams to show they are still contenders.
The two teams met once already on Jan. 3, a game the Sooners won by 10. The Bears flipped the script on Saturday by grinding out a 69-58 home win, led by 17 points from junior guard Lester Medford.
The game was scrappy from the start, with Oklahoma taking more than 11 minutes to score 12 points as Baylor jumped out to an 18-10 lead.
SI
Weber has gone from having one of the most disappointing teams in the country to doing one of the more impressive coaching jobs in the country. Nino Williams has been terrific recently, averaging 20 points over his last three. Next week is going to be the critical, tell-tale sign of just how legitimate this team is. The Wildcats have a home game against West Virginia and a road game against Kansas. If they somehow win those two, I'll be pretty much all in on the Wildcats being an NCAA Tournament team despite their hideous non-conference resume.
…Juwan Staten dropped an 18-point, 12-assist line against TCU in that wild win. That's the first time he's ever cracked the double-digit barrier in the assist column.
…Oklahoma's got some worrying to do. First off, the Sooners fell 69-58 and lost pace late against Baylor. The teams split the season series. So that's No. 1. No. 2? Point guard Isaiah Cousins left the game with an injured wrist. We'll wait and see what happens with that and how serious it is. No. 3: Oklahoma's now 12-7 overall and has lost four of five, leading to a 3-4 Big 12 record. Sooners are going to have to pick up some wins to feel comfortable in getting a single-digit seed. But if this continues, it's quite possible Oklahoma could be a 19-win team in the NCAA Tournament that's very dangerous.
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VOTE for Carlton Bragg’s HS Villa Angela-St Joseph
If VASJ is going to advance to the final round and earn the right to compete for a $1,000 donation to the school’s athletic department and the right to earn the title of “America’s Best Boys Basketball Program,” it is going to need the support – and voting power – of all Northeast Ohio hoops fans.
Fans may vote as many times as they’d like for a particular program during the contest period.
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1/24/15, 11:22 AM
Contrary to what's been reported, Malik Newman is not on an official at Ohio State this wknd. He's expected in Oxford for Ole Miss-UF today.
@CourtneyRCronin
It seemed only fitting this high school basketball rivalry game wasn’t decided until the last shot. It happens that way every season.
Findlay Prep’s Horace Spencer blocked a layup attempt by Bishop Gorman’s Stephen Zimmerman as the final buzzer sounded today, preserving a 50-49 victory for the Pilots in the Big City Showdown at the South Point.
Las Vegas Sun
In case you missed it, Tyler Dorsey is killin’ it.
The 6-foot-4 Dorsey out of Los Angeles (CA) Marantha High scored 21 of his 49 points in the fourth quarter on Saturday when Maranatha beat Centennial, 71-59.
The former Arizona commit is averaging 35 points, 11 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 2.5 steals on the season. He has seven 40-point games and is averaging 40.2 points in his last nine games — all in 2015. In his last nine he’s gone for 40, 41, 36, 44, 42, 27, 43, 40 and 49 points.
Dorsey is now considering UConn, Arizona State, Cal, Colorado, Kansas and Oregon, and his father said all schools are in the mix.
“The schools are all even,” Jerrid Dorsey told SNY.tv Saturday. “We will continue to watch the teams play. We love all these coaches.
“He already took his officials to all five schools [except UConn] and it’s more a matter of studying each situation,” Jerrid said.
As we previously reported, UConn is back in the mix after getting cut from Dorsey’s list and head coach Kevin Ollie and assistant Ricky Moore recently visited with Dorsey.
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