OT - Big XII Hoops
As I try to fill out my bracket, I keep coming across Big XII teams that seem to be seeded / ranked higher than my impression of them. Anyone out there watch much Big XII hoops this year? I'm inclined to think that a lot of them are over rated. I want to pick KSU to go down in the second round to BYU, A&M to go down to Utah State and I don't really believe in Baylor. Problem with picking A&M to lose is that Purdue is the 4 in that bracket and they are obviously mortally wounded. Am I about to kill my bracket?
March 15th, 2010 at 10:14 AM ^
they're legit, and not just because they have former UM'er Ekpe Udoh. Baylor to me reminds me of Tennessee right before they blew up with Bruce Pearl. THis could be their break-out tourney.
March 15th, 2010 at 10:18 AM ^
Easily the weakest bracket of the four and I wouldn't be surprised to see Baylor come out of the South at all.
March 15th, 2010 at 10:19 AM ^
I am a KU grad and i have watched the confrence all year. In my opinion it has been stronger this year then in years past less Texas' collapse. K-state's guards are decent and they play really hard & great rebounding team. Baylor is really pretty good i think but their D is not great. A&M is tough they really guard you but they have trouble scoring and KU is great but their region is the toughest IMO.
March 15th, 2010 at 10:22 AM ^
Appreciate the insight. The conference just doesn't get much exposure here, so it's tough to really get a feel for it.
March 15th, 2010 at 10:31 AM ^
I'm hoping Texas resurrects itself in time for Duke. I didn't pick them to win, but Texas over Duke would be worth blowing my South bracket.
March 15th, 2010 at 10:19 AM ^
Go with favorites (higher ranked seeds). This years pool of teams is weak as hell after the top 10. Obviously Purdue and Cuse are another story as they may be beaten in the first or second rounds due to injury.
March 15th, 2010 at 12:37 PM ^
I understand this thought, but at the same time, watching the conference tournaments, I thought a lot of the higher seeds appeared vulnerable. Even the teams that won their respective tournaments had games they should have/could have lost to teams that aren't dancing (OSU v. us and Ill., WVU vs. Cincy, UK vs. Miss. St.). Other teams bowed out early in unimpressive fashion (Maryland, Villinova, Syracuse, Pitt, MSU, Wisconsin, etc.).
While I'd agree that there aren't any giants floating around the 10-12 line who are exceedingly talented but just hadn't put it together for whatever reason, I'm not so sure that the favorites aren't succeptible to a string of upsets from mid-majors.
March 15th, 2010 at 10:20 AM ^
I've seen some as the lady is from kansas and a big jayhawks fan. KSU I expect to make it out of the first two rounds, they have a good defense and okay offense, and two/three times they played KU were close to beating them. Not that KU is some unstoppable force but like our favorite michigan song when they are on they are really fucking on.
March 15th, 2010 at 10:29 AM ^
I'm also pro Baylor, and I'm having a tough call between them and Villanova - leaning 'nova. A&M isn't a bad team at all, and I'm not sold on USU on being the 5/12 upset.
I actually have MSU upsetting Kansas in St. Louis, which may not be the smartest thing ever, but eh... and A&M "upsetting" Purdue without Hummel.
As for K-State, I have Florida getting their act together to beat BYU, allowing the Wildcats an easier 2nd round opponent before they lose to Pitt. If I had BYU advancing, I don't think I'd take K-State. Too many turnovers.
March 15th, 2010 at 10:58 AM ^
Luckily, the NCAA Tournament will determine the champion on the court, unlike football. Teams and their fans can whine about seeding all they want, but the bottom line is that you have to beat the best somewhere down the line, anyway, if you want to win the tourament.
Like all teams and conferences, the Big XII teams will determine their worth on the court. Consequently, I'll reserve judgement for later.
not really relevant when it comes to filling out a bracket.
Gotta place your bets before you see who beats who...
March 15th, 2010 at 11:05 AM ^
I'm sorry. I am usually benevolent in tournament and bowl play, and want to see the Big Ten do well. I am just so sick of Sparty and their smack talk, and their Sparty led Freep jihad that I want them down and out early. What the hell is going on that there are so many Sparty bosses to start with?
The same for OSU. I have four OSU alum friends. (The alums are better than average Joe off the street types.) I don't hate them. They are nice people, BUT I am so sick of "OSU beat us in Swimming, Basketball, Track, Football, etc., etc." Why, oh why couldn't we have lost to anybody but OSU (or MSU) to end our hoops season.
Anyway, I've had it. "Wormer is a dead man! Marmalard ... dead! Neidermeyer ... dead!" I hope they both get embarrassed early.
March 15th, 2010 at 12:11 PM ^
as a jayhawk and UM alum, i am praying that KU can face (and stomp) both OSU and MSU. unfortunately, though, i don't think it will happen. i wouldn't be surprised to see maryland beat MSU and am picking G-Town to beat OSU. i'll be keeping my fingers crossed though!
I did my graduate work at Georgetown, and would love the Hoyas to take down the Buckeyes. I'd at least have something to say.