Your unofficial Big 12 tournament program
This is not the year of the superstar.
Andrew Wiggins and Joel Embiid, Kansas’ NBA lottery picks, are long-gone, last season’s one-and-dones. Oklahoma State’s Marcus Smart has also gone pro with his flops. Big 12 Player of the Year Melvin Ejim and Newcomer of the Year DeAndre Kane ran out of eligibility. Baylor lost … you get the point.
This is the year when the Big 12 had its reset button hit hard. But even though there are fewer future millionaires on the court, the conference remains stacked with talent. So much so that the 2015 Big 12 tournament, this week at the Sprint Center, is shaping up to be a wide-open finale.
Kansas rolls into Kansas City as the conference’s 11-time reigning, defending regular-season champion. Meanwhile, Iowa State returns to KC to defend last year’s tourney crown, with Baylor hoping for a second crack at the title. Oklahoma? It has the best player in the league.
Oklahoma State and Texas are coming to polish their tournament résumés, but Kansas State wants in on that conversation. TCU and Texas Tech need a miracle run to crush the souls of local ticket scalpers, but stranger things have happened. (West Virginia is just hoping to avoid seeing all of its players foul out, causing Coach Bob Huggins to spontaneously combust.)
While this plays out on the court, you’ll again be able to enjoy it all with an expensive plastic cup of beer. To prepare you for the action, The Pitch has put together its fourth annual unofficial tournament program. The games start at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, but we’ll get you primed to storm the court with the best players, a few craft beers and more.
NCAA Tournament Watch
Legend
RPI: Ratings Percentage Index
SOS: Strength of Schedule
Locked In
Kansas (24-7, 13-5) RPI: 2 SOS: 1
Projected NCAA seed: No. 2
Eleven straight Big 12 regular-season championships. That says it all. Winning outright wasn’t a given this season, with Iowa State, Oklahoma, Baylor and West Virginia in the hunt. But the Jayhawks did it, and now they limp into Kansas City, dogged by Perry Ellis’ ailing knee and questions surrounding freshman Cliff Alexander’s eligibility. Even with Ellis and Alexander on the bubble, though, the Jayhawks are the favorite in this open field.
Iowa State (22-8, 12-6) RPI: 11 SOS: 20
Projected NCAA seed: No. 3
Last season’s tournament champion is the Big 12’s Jekyll and Hyde. Iowa State has looked less than magical outside the friendly confines of Hilton Coliseum, dropping a road game to Texas Tech, giving away a win to Kansas State, and losing once this season already at the Sprint Center (to Maryland, in the CBE Hall of Fame Classic). The ‘Clones also saw a 21-game home winning streak snapped by Baylor, which swept this season’s matchups. Yet Iowa State also piled up strong wins over Arkansas, Kansas and West Virginia, and made a torrid 31-4 rally to beat Oklahoma in the home finale. If the conference’s best-scoring offense stays hot, this team will be as deadly as its nickname.
Oklahoma (21-9, 12-6) RPI: 13 SOS: 16
Projected NCAA seed: No. 3
Lon Kruger’s Sooners are a scary bunch, capable of beating anyone in the league, racking up good-looking wins over Baylor, Iowa State, West Virginia and Kansas. But, in another display of the topsy-turvy nature of the Big 12, Kansas State had Oklahoma’s number this year, sweeping their meetings. And the Sooners succumbed to Hilton Magic in an epic road collapse. Still, if Buddy Hield’s smooth jumper is dropping, KC will be hearing a lot of “Boomer Sooner,” and the Big 12’s best player could be hoisting a trophy.
Baylor (23-8, 11-7) RPI: 10 SOS: 3
Projected NCAA seed: No. 4
Last year, Baylor made it to the Big 12 tournament title game on the backs of Cory Jefferson, Brady Heslip and Isaiah Austin. Those three are gone, but the Bears remain a threat to return to the final 40 minutes if they keep dominating the boards. The Bears were riding a four-game winning streak at the end of February, including a snap of Iowa State’s 21-home-game winning streak. Then the calendar flipped to March, and Baylor lost in a debacle in Austin. Title game? Maybe. The Bears could also head back to Waco early, after drawing West Virginia first.
West Virginia (23-8, 11-7) RPI: 20 SOS: 57
Projected NCAA seed: No. 5
Bob Huggins’ bruising, turnover-forcing press could wreak havoc in Kansas City. The Mountaineers have scored high-quality wins over Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas and on the road at Oklahoma State. If Juwan Staten can get healthy in time for the conference tourney — and the rest of the Mountaineers don’t foul out — West Virginia could mean trouble for the rest of the field.
Oklahoma State (18-12, 8-10) RPI: 45 SOS: 19
Projected NCAA seed: No. 8
Life without Marcus Smart and Markel Brown hasn’t been easy for Oklahoma State. After reeling off three big wins to start February — Texas, Kansas and Baylor — the Cowboys hit a four-game slide that included a loss at Texas Tech. Ouch. But the Pokes did manage a much-needed win over TCU. Taking the conference tourney starts with rival Oklahoma, which the Cowboys haven’t beat yet this season.
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On the Bubble
Texas (19-12, 8-10) RPI: 42 SOS: 11
Projected NCAA seed: No. 16
Landing Myles Turner gave the Longhorns the biggest frontcourt in the conference and made them an instant favorite to challenge Kansas’ claim on the regular-season conference championship. That didn’t happen, and despite an upset win over Baylor, Texas finds itself on a fragile bubble that could burst without a good showing at the Sprint Center.
Work to Do
Kansas State (15-16, 8-10) RPI: 84 SOS: 15
The Wildcats weathered a tumultuous start to the season and then three-game suspensions of Marcus Foster and Malek Harris for a furious finish, with a win over Baylor, a season sweep of Oklahoma and back-to-back home victories over Kansas and Iowa State. Purple Kansas’ struggle to get above .500 makes a big-dance bid a long shot. Winning the conference tourney is the only way in.
Playing for the NIT
TCU (17-14, 4-14) RPI: 129 SOS: 112
The Horned Frogs reeled off 13 consecutive nonconference victories … then conference play started, and the cupcakes (except for Texas Tech) were gone and the losing began. After snapping a three-game losing streak (thanks, Tech), the Frogs hit a seven-game skid. But they did pull off a Valentine’s Day upset of then–No. 21 Oklahoma State, followed by a win over Kansas State. That’s progress for Trent Johnson’s crew, after going winless in conference play last season.
No Chance
Texas Tech (13-18, 3-15) RPI: 172 SOS: 55
Tubby Smith finds himself in the Big 12 cellar, which isn’t surprising with the Red Raiders shooting below 40 percent from the field on the season (39.8 percent). Despite home wins over then–No. 9 Iowa State, Kansas State and Oklahoma State, the Raiders won half as many conference games as they did last season. If Smith doesn’t win next season, his seat will be getting some heat.
21 Players to Watch
Perry Ellis, Kansas
Remember that time when Jayhawks fans lost their minds and bagged on Perry Ellis for missing a last-second layup in a loss at West Virginia? Those fans better be sending Ellis get-well cards as he recovers from a right-knee injury. If KU is to take the tourney title, the junior forward — and the team’s best scorer (14.2 points per game) and rebounder (7 boards per game) — is going to play a major role in that run, especially if Cliff Alexander is stuck in NCAA purgatory.
Frank Mason III, Kansas
If Ellis doesn’t return in time for the Big 12 tournament as expected, look for Frank Mason to step up. The sophomore point guard shouldered the load in the rally to beat West Virginia and claim regular-season title No. 11. Expect more in tourney action from Mason.
Georges Niang, Iowa State
Old-man game. Played with Nerlens Noel. Expect the announcers to repeat these Georges Niang facts often. (Iowa State fans have turned the cliches into a drinking game.) But Niang is the most dangerous Cyclone, a big man who can knock down threes as easily as he drops floaters and sinks hook shots. The 6-foot-8-inch junior forward is averaging 15.2 points, 1.4 3-pointers, 5.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists — all of which make him the key to the Cyclones’ hopes for repeating as tourney champs.
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Rico Gathers, Baylor
Rico Gathers could pass for a professional wrestler. At 6 feet 8 inches and 280 pounds, the forward is built like a beast — one bent on dominating the boards. Gathers leads the conference in rebounding (and it’s not even close), grabbing 11.7 boards per game. In league play, he cleaned up a season-best 18 boards against TCU. If the Bears advance, it’ll be behind Gathers’ defense.
Juwan Staten, West Virginia
No one likes a groin injury, especially Bob Huggins. Juwan Staten’s bum groin and swollen knee have left Huggy Bear without his best player for the last two games. But those injuries may help the bruising Mountaineers fly under the radar for a run in the tournament, if Staten can make a comeback.
Myles Turner, Texas
Myles Turner is likely the Big 12’s next one-and-done lottery pick. The 6-foot-11, 240-pound freshman center projects in the top 10 of the NBA Draft. He knows how to use his ridiculous 7-foot-4 wingspan, blocking a league-best 2.8 shots per game. His offense has been spotty (averaging 10.8 points per game), but if Turner puts the pieces together, he could lead the Longhorns to victory in KC.
Taurean Prince, Baylor
Taurean Prince does it all for the Bears. The 6-foot-7 junior forward is getting minutes off the bench (26.3 per game) and producing a full stat line, leading Scott Drew’s crew in scoring (14 points) and piling up rebounds (5.5), assists (1.3), blocks (.9), steals (1.4) and triples (1.8).
Le’Bryan Nash, Oklahoma State
Le’Bryan Nash has taken on more of the scoring load for the Cowboys, and he’s now the second-leading scorer in the conference (16.8 points per game). Nash has scored in double figures in every game this season.
Monte Morris, Iowa State
No one takes care of the ball better than Monte Morris. Just a sophomore, the point guard known as Man-Man leads the Big 12 in assists (5.4 a game) and in assist-to-turnover ratio (4.6). That’s poise beyond his years.
Marcus Foster, Kansas State
Marcus Foster’s sophomore season has to be considered a letdown. After being a freshman phenom, Foster’s numbers have dropped across the board. He still leads the Wildcats in scoring (12.9 points per game), but EMAW nation had to have been expecting more than a below-.500 season. The slate gets wiped clean in Kansas City.
Isaiah Cousins, Oklahoma
Isaiah Cousins is a sharpshooter (45.3 percent 3-point percentage). The junior guard can stroke it (1.8 3-pointers per game), and he gives the Sooners a double threat with Hield.
Kyan Anderson, TCU
Senior guard Kyan Anderson no longer has to shoulder the scoring load for the Horned Frogs, but he still leads the team with 13.6 points in 2014–15 (vs. 17 in 2013–14). More help has meant more wins — just not enough of ’em.
Phil Forte III, Oklahoma State
Phil Forte is one of those players who shakes free for a 3-pointer, sinks it and makes opposing fans scream at their televisions. The junior guard is more than a minor annoyance. He’s deadly from deep (averaging 2.3 3-pointers per game) and a scoring threat (15.5 points per game).
Jameel McKay, Iowa State
Jameel McKay gives the Cyclones something they haven’t had since Kelvin Cato: a rim protector. The energetic 6-foot-9 junior forward flies up and down the court and is a constant threat to throw down a posterizing alley-oop. But Fred Hoiberg’s offensive-minded Cyclones benefit most from his ability to return shots to sender (averaging 2.4 blocks a game).
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Nino Williams, Kansas State
Bruce Weber upped Nino Williams’ minutes for the senior forward’s final season in Manhattan. Williams rewarded his coach with increased production (11.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game). He has been K-State’s hardworking glue guy this season.
Devin Williams, West Virginia
Devin Williams is a flashback to the goggles-wearing Horace Grant. And just like the former Chicago Bull, the 6-foot-9 forward does the Mountaineers’ dirty work, crashing the boards (8.2 rebounds per game) and battling in the paint.
Thomas Gipson, Kansas State
Senior Thomas Gipson looks to write a happier ending in the postseason. The 6-foot-7, 265-pound forward is averaging a solid 11.1 points per game and a meager 5.2 rebounds. He’ll need to do more if the Cats’ sea of purple is to storm the Sprint Center court.
Isaiah Taylor, Texas
The Longhorns’ floor general is leading the team in scoring (13.1 points per game) and assists (4.5 per game). An early-season injury kept him out of action until conference play. Once he returned, Taylor really started rolling in the new year, but the Horns have struggled to put up wins.
Buddy Hield, Oklahoma
Buddy Hield is the best player in the Big 12. Every time the junior guard releases a silky jumper, opposing fans cringe. They know it’s probably going in. Hield has bombed a league-best 81 3-pointers and leads the conference in scoring (17.4 points per game). To the other nine schools, he’s not your Buddy, pal.
Devaugntah Williams, Texas Tech
Devaugntah Williams is the Red Raiders’ future. He’s leading the team in scoring (10.6 points per game), but his shot needs work. He’s making just 40.5 percent of his field goals.
Kelly Oubre Jr., Kansas
A slow start to the season had the Jayhawks wondering if Kelly Oubre was as good as advertised. But the freshman guard has been (mostly) a gem in conference play, especially on defense. He’ll be needed to keep the Jayhawks on the right side of fortune in KC and beyond.
On Tap: Sprint Center edition
Beer goes with everything, especially basketball. And there’s no shortage of macrobrews on tap at the Sprint Center. But if you’d like a drink other than a Bud, say from Boulevard or Mother’s, you can find it. You just have to look. Here’s a full list of beers on tap at the Sprint Center this weekend.
Blue Moon
Boulevard 80-Acre Hoppy Wheat
Boulevard Pale Ale
Boulevard Pop-Up Session IPA
Boulevard Unfiltered Wheat
Bud Light
Budweiser
Coors Light
Corona Extra
Corona Light
Heineken
Leinenkugel’s Canoe Paddler
Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy
Leinenkugel’s Sunset Wheat
Michelob Ultra
Miller Lite
Mother’s Three Blind Mice
Newcastle Brown Ale
O’Doul’s
Redbridge Gluten-Free Sorghum Beer
Redd’s Apple Ale
Samuel Adams Boston Lager
