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The final week of the regular season has come and gone. As Cyclone fans, we are left once again with plenty of "if only" moments, but still Iowa State enters the conference tournament as the #2 seed which is nothing to hang our heads over.
Kansas won the Big XII regular season title. Again. However, all records have been reset and a new season begins. The Big XII tournament, where Iowa State looks to win their second title in as many years, should be highly entertaining with five teams finishing within two games of the Jayhawks. To those of you heading to Kansas City to witness the games in person, you have my envy.
The Week That Was:
Monday, March 2nd
Baylor (14) 59 - Texas 61
Texas is playing like a team needing to win to save their season, and their coach. They have always had the talent. Couple that with a desire to win and it is certainly a team I would prefer to avoid.
Oklahoma (15) 33 - Iowa State (17) 59
As the score above would indicate, I choose to forget the first half of this game even happened. I can't imagine the Cyclones putting together a better half of basketball than this...
Tuesday, March 3rd
West Virginia (20) 69 - Kansas (9) 76
Kansas had a second half comeback of their own, overcoming a 14 point halftime deficit at home. Not nearly as impressive offensively, however, scoring only 33 second half points compared to Iowa State's 59. If only.
Wednesday, March 4th
TCU 70 - Oklahoma State 82
The Cowboys are heating up.
Friday, March 6th
Texas Tech 74 - Baylor (14) 77
Tech could also be a tough out this week if they get past the must-win Longhorns Wednesday.
Saturday, March 7th
Oklahoma State 72 - West Virginia (20) 81
The Cowboys are cooling down.
Kansas (9) 73 - Oklahoma (15) 75
I really hope Buddy Hield heralds the call of the NBA after OU's tournament runs have ended. The guy has far too much talent to hang around Norman any longer. A fantastic finish for a fantastic player. If only.
Kansas State 49 - Texas 62
Both coaches have seemingly lost political capital over the course of the regular season. Time for both to seek at least a short term extension in whatever postseason tournament comes calling.
Iowa State (17) 89 - TCU 76
...I guess I was wrong, by four points. If only.
Weekly Awards
Player of the Week - Georges Niang, Iowa State
Gorgeous Georges won his second POW award behind 42 (mostly second half) points and 12 total rebounds. To be honest, he probably should share this award with his point guard.
Newcomer of the Week - Anthony Hickey, Oklahoma State
Hickey left his mark (have I used this joke before?) on the week averaging 18.5 points, 6 assists, 2 rebounds and 1.5 steals in games against TCU and West Virginia. This was the third, and final, Newcomer of the Week award for the OSU senior guard.
Season Awards
Coach of the Year - Bob Huggins, West Virginia
No real argument here unless you're a Kansas fan and think Self, finishing exactly where everyone thought they would, is more deserving. It is a shame he gets no respect.
Player of the Year - Buddy Hield, Oklahoma
Absolutely no problem with this. Go pro, Buddy. Go pro.
Defensive Player of the Year - Jameel McKay, Iowa State
Imagine what a full year with an eligible McKay will look like.
Sixth Man Award - Taurean Prince, Baylor
I hate Baylor.
Newcomer of the Year - TaShawn Thomas, Oklahoma
Thankfully, the NCAA didn't slow him down with questions of eligibility after his transfer from Houston.
Freshman of the Year - Myles Turner, Texas
Apparently, they didn't see enough game tape of our 7' freshman from Greece. Jobbed, I say.
All-Big 12 Team
First Team
Rico Gathers, Baylor Forward, Junior
Georges Niang, Iowa State Forward, Junior
Perry Ellis, Kansas Forward, Junior
Buddy Hield, Oklahoma Guard, Junior
Juwan Staten, West Virginia Guard, Senior
Why there aren't more Kansas players on this teams shows an anti-Jayhawk bias in the Big XII, clearly.
Second Team
Kenny Chery, Baylor Guard, Senior
Taurean Prince, Baylor Forward, Junior
Monte Morris, Iowa State Guard, Sophmore
Frank Mason III, Kansas Guard, Sophmore
Le'Bryan Nash, Oklahoma State Forward, Senior
More Baylor players?
Third Team
Jameel McKay, Iowa State Forward, Junior
TaShawn Thomas, Oklahoma Forward, Senior
Phil Forte, Oklahoma State Guard, Junior
Isaiah Taylor, Texas Guard, Sophmore
Myles Turner, Texas Forward, Freshman
That's a pretty good third string.
For more awards, including All-Big XII Honorable Mention, All-Defensive Team and All-Newcomer Team, visit www.big12sports.com.
The Week That Is: Conference Tournament Schedule
Wednesday, March 11th
G1 - #8 Kansas State vs #9 TCU - 6:00 PM on ESPNU
G2 - #7 Texas vs #10 Texas Tech - 8:00 PM on ESPNU
Thursday, March 12th
G3 - #4 Baylor vs #5 West Virginia - 11:30 AM on ESPN2
G4 - #1 Kansas vs G1 Winner - 1:30 PM on ESPN2
G5 - #2 Iowa State vs G2 Winner - 6:00 PM on ESPNU
G6 - #3 Oklahoma vs #6 Oklahoma State - 8:00 PM on ESPNU
Friday, March 13th
G7 - G3 Winner vs G4 Winner - 6:00 PM on ESPN or ESPN2
G8 - G5 Winner vs G6 Winner - 8:00 PM on ESPN or ESPN2
Saturday, March 14th
G9 - G7 Winner vs G8 Winner - 5:00 PM on ESPN
Final Conference Standings
Team* |
Conference Record |
Last 5 |
Streak |
Next Up |
Kansas (1) |
13-5 |
3-2 |
L1 |
B12T G4 |
Iowa State (2) |
12-6 |
3-2 |
W2 |
B12T G5 |
Oklahoma (3) |
12-6 |
4-1 |
W1 |
OSU (6) |
Baylor (4) |
11-7 |
4-1 |
W1 |
WVU (5) |
West Virginia (5) |
11-7 |
3-2 |
W1 |
BU (4) |
Oklahoma State (6) |
8-10 |
1-4 |
L1 |
OU (3) |
Texas (7) |
8-10 |
2-3 |
W2 |
TTU (10) |
Kansas State (8) |
8-10 |
2-3 |
L1 |
TCU (9) |
TCU (9) |
4-14 |
1-4 |
L3 |
KSU (8) |
Texas Tech (10) |
3-15 |
1-4 |
L1 |
UT (7) |
* Seeding in parentheses
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