Big 12 Tournament: Fun and Games
Staff Writer Keith Whitmire's guide for what to expect, who to look for and why it's fun to watch the Big 12 tournament.
02:58 AM CST on Thursday, March 9, 2006
Whatever you do, don't head to the concession stand during the final minute of a game. Of the 96 conference games played this season, 33 of them were decided by three points or less. That means a third of the games could have been won or tied on the final possession. Oklahoma was the Big 12's king of one-point games. The Sooners played seven of them, winning five. In fact, Oklahoma won a Big 12-record four consecutive one-point contests during the second half of league play. BIG 12 CONFERENCE'S CLOSE CALLS 96: Conference games played in 2005-06 47: Games decided by 10 points or less (48.9 percent) 36: Games decided by five points or less (37.5 percent) 10: Games decided by three points 14: Games decided by two points 9: Games decided by one point There are certain players opposing coaches dread with the ball in their hands at the end of a close game. They are the players who can create shots even when the defense is doing its job. Three to keep an eye on: Through Sunday Photos: DMN All-Big 12 men's team Big D means big bucks for Big 12 Return trip to Dallas isn't guaranteed
Thursday's previews (.pdf)
Bracket (.pdf) Curtis Stinson, G, Iowa State: "You don't have to pass it to him for him to get a shot," Kansas coach Bill Self said. "I think he's the best in the league at getting to the paint." Terrell Everett, G, Oklahoma: "He's got good size," Oklahoma State head coach designate Sean Sutton said. "He's got long arms. He's good with the basketball. He's a little unorthodox in that he can get you leaning one way and get by you. He can hit a lot of runners and floaters." Jarrius Jackson, G, Texas Tech: "No way you can try any harder to keep him from touching the ball than we did," Texas A&M coach Billy Gillispie said after Jackson scored 22 points against the Aggies on Saturday. "And he still touches the ball and he gets it where he wants to and does what he wants to do with it. A fantastic player." There's more than one way to play defense. A guard defends differently than a big man, so it's tough to determine the best defender in the Big 12. On the perimeter, Kansas guard Russell Robinson may be the best one-on-one defender. "He's quick and he's strong," Jayhawks coach Bill Self said. "And he's got great hands and he can really slide." Robinson's quick hands have helped him snare 59 steals this season. His teammate, Mario Chalmers, leads the league with 81 steals. Down low, Texas forward LaMarcus Aldridge strikes the most fear into Big 12 opponents with his length and athleticism. "You've got to always respect his shot-blocking ability," Oklahoma State head coach designate Sean Sutton said. Aldridge has blocked a league-high 59 shots this season. Kansas State's Cartier Martin leads the league in free throw shooting at 83.7 percent (128 of 153). Texas Tech's Jarrius Jackson is second at 80.8 percent (135 of 167). For a point guard who averages 31 minutes a game – meaning he handles the ball a lot – Missouri's Jason Horton is way off-target from the free throw line. Fortunately for the Tigers, he doesn't get there often: Horton has missed 18 of 36 attempts. Colorado's Jayson Obazuaye is another guard who struggles from the stripe. He's just 25-of-55 (45.5 percent) on free throws. As for big men, Texas Tech freshman Dior Lowhorn is shooting 51.8 percent (44 of 85), and Kansas sophomore Sasha Kaun is at 52.1 percent (50 of 96) – 40.5 percent (17 of 42) in conference play. In a tournament situation, when teams are playing every day, there isn't a lot of time for scouting and preparation. It won't be unusual during the tournament to see coaches sitting on press row scouting their next opponent. Under those conditions, which Big 12 team will be the toughest to prepare for on short notice? "Iowa State would jump out," Baylor coach Scott Drew said. "They play a little bit of a different style with a lot of pressing and different types of presses, and then a different half-court defense." Oklahoma coach Kelvin Sampson says you can't play Texas five-on-five. Why? Pick your poison. Double-team P.J. Tucker and let LaMarcus Aldridge loose for dunks, or double-team Aldridge and watch Tucker go wild. Both are in the top 10 in the league in scoring. Tucker and Aldridge are 1-2 in re- bounding, and both are in the top five in field goal percentage. The top five NBA prospects among Big 12 underclassmen: LaMarcus Aldridge: Sophomore forward, Texas. An athletic big man with touch. Brandon Rush: Freshman guard, Kansas. A gifted scorer who makes it look easy. Julian Wright: Freshman forward, Kansas. Has long arms and is a great low-post passer. Daniel Gibson: Sophomore guard, Texas. A solid perimeter shooter and ball-handler. Richard Roby: Sophomore guard, Colorado. He fits the mold of NBA shooting guard. When their teams need points, these six players produce them in a hurry Jarrius Jackson, Texas Tech: Poured in 41 at Nebraska Daniel Gibson, Texas: Hit nine 3-pointers at Baylor Thomas Gardner, Missouri: Scored 40 against Kansas Michael Neal, Oklahoma: Nails 3-pointers in bunches Richard Roby, Colorado: 81 points in three-game span Cartier Martin, Kansas State: Scored 20 or more 13 times 
American Airlines Center
• Tech-K State
• Colorado-Baylor
• OSU-Iowa State
• Missouri-Nebraska