Big 12 Weekend Rewind

What did we learn:

• The Big 12 will have at least five teams in the NCAA tournament. 
• That's what the Missouri win over Baylor on Wednesday and the Kansas State win over Missouri on Saturday ensured. With Texas, Kansas and Texas A&M presumably in "lock status," Missouri and Kansas State appear to have joined them with their work this week. Missouri was already fairly secure in its bid, but with its final three including road games vs. Kansas State (which they lost) and Nebraska and a home finale against #2 Kansas, a win over Baylor was the final luster on the resume that the Tigers needed in order to assure a record no worse than 8-8 in conference--which would be good enough to get them in the tournament. 
• Jacob Pullen and Kansas State appear to have completed the turnaround after its season looked like a major disappointment only a couple weeks ago. The Wildcats, (20-9, 8-6) with an RPI of 25 and SOS of 5, should safely be in the NCAA tournament, but they better take care of business in the season finale at home vs. Iowa State to be safe. 
• Colorado has reentered the bubble conversation.
• With its impressive come-from-behind victory at home vs. #5 Texas, the Buffaloes have all of the sudden become a serious player in the at-large conversation. I watched the game after the fact on ESPN3 and I have never seen a game change so much from one half to the next. Colorado, which trailed 48-33 at halftime and by as much as 22 points in the first half, came all the way back to actually lead by 11 and hold on for a 91-89 victory. Alec Burks scored 24 of his 33 in the second half and 11 of them came in a stretch where the Buffaloes outscored the Longhorns 14-0. If Colorado can knock off Iowa State in Ames and Nebraska at home, the Buffaloes will be in great position for an NCAA tournament at-large bid and Burks will garner serious consideration for player of the year in the Big 12.  
• On the flip-side, the loss by Texas was its second in three games-- both to unranked opponents on the road. The biggest concern for the Longhorns, however, should be the amount of points it has given up in both contests. The 70 to Nebraska was the most it had given up to a conference opponent all-season, but the 91 points surrendered to Colorado on Saturday is the most Texas has given up all season. Defense has been the staple of the Longhorn's success and the latter part of the season is not the time to waver from that formula. Texas is now tied atop the Big 12 with Kansas at 12-2, but it does hold the tie-breaker due to beating the Jayhawks earlier this season in Lawrence. If the Longhorns are able to defeat Kansas State on big Monday and Baylor in Waco, however, it should be in a good position for a #1 seed in the Big 12 and NCAA tournament. 
•  Baylor is still on the bubble, but in better shape than it was a week ago. 
• Baylor was pummeled by Missouri in Columbia on Wednesday night, as expected, but rebounded nicely with a "that's more like it" effort in a home victory over #17 Texas A&M to complete the season sweep of the Aggies. Baylor held Texas A&M to 35% shooting and just 22% from three-point land. And the Bears finally took my advice and fed their stud big man, Perry Jones, who responded nicely with an efficient 7-13 from the field and 16 points in 35 minutes of play. Baylor still has work to do with an RPI of 69 and SOS of 47, but Saturday was a step in the right direction. If the Bears can knock off Oklahoma State in Stillwater and #7 Texas at home then it would most likely move to at-large status. If not, then the Bears will have to make some noise in the Big 12 tournament, which they are fully capable of doing.  

Big 12 Power Rankings:

1. Kansas (12-2)
2. Texas (12-2)
3. Texas A&M (9-5)
4. Missouri (8-6)
5. Kansas State (8-6)
6. Colorado (7-7)
7. Baylor (7-7)
8. Nebraska (6-8)
9. Oklahoma State (5-9)
10. Oklahoma (4-10)
11. Texas Tech (4-10)
12. Iowa State (2-12)

Big Games of the Week: 

• Kansas State @ #7 Texas: This Big Monday matchup could determine a lot about how things turn out in the Big 12 standings. A win by Texas won't change much, but if Kansas State is able to go into Austin and steal one, then the Wildcats would be the favorite to get the fourth seed and all important bye in the Big 12 tournament. On the flip side, a loss by Texas would most likely give Kansas a share of the Big 12 title and an outright title if it is able to take care of Texas A&M at home and Missouri in Columbia. Texas hasn't lost a home conference game and its only home loss of the season came at the hands of a hot-shooting Kemba Walker and UCONN. Kansas State has won four straight, three of which were in Manhattan and the one road win came in a nail biter at Nebraska. This is an interesting game, as Kansas State is playing its best basketball of the season, while Texas has struggled of late. With that being said, Texas has not struggled at home and the Wildcats, even with their late season push, are still 2-5 on the road in conference. I think Pullen and company keep it close with the Longhorns, but I don't think they have enough fire-power to get the job done in Austin--if this one is in Manhattan it might be a different story. Jordan Hamilton bounces back after his dismal performance against Colorado and Texas wins the way it has all season, with defense, 72-59. 
• #24 Missouri @ Nebraska: For Missouri this game is as must-win as any game has been all season. A loss here by the Tigers would drop them to 8-7 in conference with #2 Kansas coming to Columbia on Saturday and could be staring at a 6 seed in the Big 12 tournament--a far cry from preseason expectations. Nebraska came back to earth after shocking the country in its upset victory over Texas, by losing at home to Kansas State and saw its bubble completely burst Saturday in a devastating loss to Iowa State. Missouri is the more talented team here and has much more at stake, as noted earlier. It has been as tough to pick against the Huskers at home as it has been to predict a road win for the Tigers. I think the Tigers realize how big of a game this is and come together for a huge road win, 64-58.    
• Baylor @ Oklahoma State: Like Missouri, Baylor needs this game, but for different reasons. Baylor needs to win this game to keep themselves in contention for an at-large berth. If the Bears lose they will be facing, what is essentially, a must-win against Texas to finish the season. It hasn't been easy to win in Stillwater this season, even though the Cowboys are fairly average and Baylor has been up-and-down this year. So logic tells me the smart move is to pick the Cowboys. I'll oblige, Cowboys win 82-74. 
• Colorado @ Iowa State: As mentioned earlier, Colorado needs to win out in order to attain an at-large berth. Colorado is the better team and has shown it is capable of winning on the road this season. I never like to pick against NBA talent in big game situations and I wont start here. Burks takes over in a must-win game for the Buffaloes, 74-62.