[Husker] Big XII Basketball Game Day - Saturday, January 21

[NUStLNorris at aol.com]

The Big XII hoops season runs past the quarter pole today with a full slate 
of conference games, including the ESPN nationally-televised tilt between 
Nebraska and Kansas in Lawrence at 3 p.m.  The standings heading into today's 
competition look like this:

Texas, 3-0, 15-2
Missouri, 3-1,10-5
Nebraska, 2-1, 12-4
Oklahoma State, 2-1, 12-5
Colorado, 2-2, 12-3
Kansas State, 2-2, 11-4
Iowa State, 2-2, 12-5
Texas Tech, 2-2, 10-8
Oklahoma, 1-2, 10-4
Kansas, 1-2, 10-6
Texas A&M, 1-3, 11-4
Baylor, 0-3, 0-3

Texas is probably the only team in the league that’s going to be any higher 
than a five or six seed in the NCAA tourney.  Opportunities abound for 
everyone.  You’re not going to see the customary six bids extended to the conference 
this year.  Maybe only three (then again, any speculation on post-season at 
this point is subject-to-daily-change).  NU’s got their work cut out for them 
when you look at competing against Iowa State, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas Tech, 
Oklahoma State … sheesh, teams that ALWAYS seem to make the tourney that are 
fighting for their lives for the first time in years.!

I’m not close to being able to hazard a guess as to who the second best team 
in the conference is.

I think most every game, with the exception of games against Baylor and some 
against Texas, are toss-ups … home or away.  I think Nebraska has a chance to 
win in Lawrence today.   I’ll be disappointed if they get blown out and look 
like they’re not prepared.

The Cornhuskers are a 12-point underdog according to the Latest Line.  Kansas 
isn’t "vintage Kansas" … but they are in the Phog and I have no read on who 
will show up for Nebraska.  Today’s Big XII games:

Texas Tech at Oklahoma
Texas A&M at Iowa State
Nebraska at Kansas
Colorado at Oklahoma State
Texas at Baylor
Missouri at Kansas State

RANDOM ROUNDBALL RAMBLINGS:  I look at Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, Kansas and 
OU (with Bobby, Eddie, Self and Sampson) … and you know their coaches will 
keep them competitive all year.  I think Iowa State may be the second best team 
in the conference.  But I also think they are capable of inconsistent play.  
Their backcourt gives them a chance in every game, home or away.  If Taj Gray 
from Oklahoma was pre-season player of the year, Curtis Stinson HAS to be 
included in the conversation.  Kansas State and Colorado were both 0 and 2 before 
winning their next two.  A&M has to be disappointed that they’re 1 and 3.  I 
expect them to at least push ISU in Ames today.  I’d be surprised (and 
disappointed) if Missouri ends up being any better than .500 in the conference this 
year.  Lots of teams will end up either 8 and 8, 7 and 9 or 9 and 7, I would 
think.

Dave Norris