Basketball is a game of runs. This includes stretches during the game as well as during the season. Every team, at some point, hits a slump. Some are short lived (Duke's 2 game losing streak) while others are more extended (Iowa's basketball program in general), but even good teams encounter a bad stretch.

Iowa State experienced theirs beginning January 3^rd, their neutral court loss to South Carolina, and seem to have finally ended it on the road last week. During that period, Iowa State went 7-5.

As far as slumps are concerned, I will take that.

Is should be a surprise to no one that Hoiberg, who has successfully translated the NBA offense into a college scheme, has his teams playing their best come March. In a league where nothing matters except making the playoffs (and only half of the teams do not), professional players often treat the regular season as an extended pre-season before getting down to business over the final month or two, if needed. Perhaps this is some stowaway baggage for Fred's system.

Winning always matters; it just matters more now.

The Week That Was:

Monday, February 16^th

Kansas (8) 61 - West Virginia (23) 62

Opened the door just a little bit more.

Tuesday, February 17^th

Baylor (20) 54 - Texas Tech 49

Never said playing in Lubbock was easy.

Texas 69 - Oklahoma (17) 71

Is this a rivalry this time of year?

Wednesday

Kansas State 55 - TCU 69

Two in a row for TCU!

Iowa State (14) 70 - Oklahoma State (22) 65

And then the lead was one with the season not yet done.

Saturday

Oklahoma (17) 79 - Texas Tech 75 (OT)

That extra cushion would have been nice, Tech. Damn taco lovers.

Kansas State 42 - Baylor (20) 69

I wonder if Kruger would be willing to go back to his alma mater next season?

Iowa State (14) 85 - Texas 77

While the Jayhawk's lead did not retreat, our formula stays at "win then repeat".

West Virginia (23) 73 - Oklahoma State (22) 63

The wheels on the bus go round and round, round and...then just kind of fall off.

TCU 72- Kansas (8) 81

Keeping their distance.

Players of the Week

Player of the Week - Juwan Staten, West Virginia

The Senior Guard averaged 21.0 points and 5.5 assists (along with 2.0 turnovers) while leading the Mountaineers to back to back wins over ranked opponents including the Cyclone helping Big Monday win over Kansas in Morgantown to start the week.

Newcomer of the Week - Jameel McKay, Iowa State

This is the first NOW award for the Junior Forward and the fourth time a Cyclone this season (BDJ has the other three). The game changing rim protecting transfer that became eligible December 20^th

Game of the Week

Iowa State @ Oklahoma State

There were plenty of important games with favorable outcomes, but none bigger than this in my opinion. Winning in Stillwater for the second year in a row (something that has not happened since I was a toddler) was very important for the team's, along with the fan's, confidence.

The Week That Is:

Monday, February 23^rd

Kansas (8) @ Kansas State - 8:00 PM on ESPN

Can you try to care about this one just a little, KSU?

Tuesday, February 24^th

Texas @ West Virginia (20) - 6:00 PM on ESPN2

I am officially okay with Texas finally playing up to their potential.

Wednesday, February 25^th

Texas Tech @ TCU - who cares? I mean, it's on FSSW, but who cares?

Similarly; who cares?

Baylor (19) @ Iowa State (12) - 8:00 PM on ESPNU

Home court has never been so important. Baylor is still a dangerous team, even if they are 0-12 in Ames.

Saturday, February 28^th

TCU @ Oklahoma (16) - 1:00 PM on ESPNU

Get em, Lizard Frogs!

Iowa State (12) @ Kansas State - 3:00 PM on ESPN2

Whether you are coming off an emotional victory, or loss, it is alright to have a letdown game here, KSU.

West Virginia (20) @ Baylor (19) - 3:00 PM on ESPNU

I am going to guess I'm rooting for Baylor in this matchup, for breathing room purposes.

Oklahoma State @ Texas Tech - 3:00 PM on ESPN News

Could the Cowboys leave Lubbock with a Loss? It is possible.

Texas @ Kansas (8) - 4:00 PM on ESPN

I'm guessing everyone involved with scheduling this game thought it would have far more meaning than it does. That said, and I repeat, I am officially okay with Texas finally playing up to their potential.

Games of the Week

Kansas (8) @ Kansas State - For the next two weeks, the only games that matter are ones that involve the Jayhawks and the Cyclones. Kansas State has the unique opportunity this week to impact the standings as both teams at the top enter the Octagon of Doom. Kansas gets the first round Monday night against Little Brother in a game that will probably be closer than it should. Kansas is 9-1 over their past 10 meetings with the Wildcats and are 75-45 all time in Manhattan.

Iowa State (12) @ Kansas State - In the second round, the Webbercats face off against second place Iowa State. The Cyclones have only managed 21 wins in 100 trips to the Little Apple and hold a 6-4 advantage over their past 10 meetings. Nobody is sure which personality they will face when playing K-State these days, but leaving the plains of NE Kansas is never an easy feat.

Conference Standings

Movin on Up

Iowa State (12) - two tough wins on the road are behind the Cyclones. The remaining schedule is not daunting, but is certainly capable of delivering another loss. Or two. Or four.

Oklahoma (16) - two of the Sooners' remaining three games are at Iowa State and in Norman against KU. Their destiny (as well as Iowa State's) rests in their hands.

Not Looking Good

Texas - They could find themselves NIT bound (and searching for a new coach) after this week without an upset or two. I, for one, will be cheering loudly for the Longhorns.

Oklahoma State - Losing back to back in GIA has to be rough on Poke players and fans.

Team	Conference Record	Last 5	Streak	This Week
Kansas (8)	11-3	3-2	W1	@KSU, UT
Iowa State (12)	10-4	4-1	W3	BU, @KSU
Oklahoma (16)	10-5	4-1	W2	TCU
West Virginia (20)	9-5	3-2	W2	UT, @BU
Baylor (19)	8-6	3-2	W2	@ISU, WVU
Oklahoma State	7-8	3-2	L3	@TTU
Texas	6-8	3-2	L2	@WVU, @KU
Kansas State	6-9	1-4	L2	KU, ISU
TCU	3-11	2-3	L1	TTU, @OU
Texas Tech	2-13	0-5	L5	@TCU, OSU