MIDWEEK RECAP

Another REAL season has come and gone. By late Sunday evening (Central DAYLIGHT time), the standings you find on-line and in your local newspaper will have merged with the REAL Standings. No one will be at an advantage or disadvantage in games yet to be played because there will be no games yet to be played.

However, while there is still a slate of Big 12 games remaining this weekend, UT maintains a REAL ½ game advantage over KU, as only a projected W remains on its schedule, while the Jayhawks have a losable game in College Station—a venue where A&M trounced UT earlier this season.

UT had a struggle at Home Tuesday night vs. Nebraska—perhaps distracted by missing the local caucus action—but managed, nevertheless, to turn a close game into a Non-Event by picking up their projected victory. KU’s own Non-Event vs. Texas Tech in the biggest slaughter in Big 12 history, meant that the Jayhawks could only tread the REAL Standings water. That will have to wait until Saturday, if at all.

In lower profile NE games, k-state and Mizzou picked up their projected Home W’s vs. Tier 3 Dwellers Colorado and Iowa St.

The two REAL stories of the Midweek slate were OU and A&M winning on the Road vs. other Tier Two teams (Okie St and Baylor), meaning big “plus ones” in the RSP for the Sooners and Aggies.

REAL STANDINGS: 3/6/08

Note: The current breakdown of teams into tiers, which is the only subjective aspect of the REAL Standings is:

Tier One: KU, UT
Tier Two: Baylor, k-state, Mizzou, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Okie St, Texas A&M, Texas Tech
Tier Three: CU, ISU

1. 13-3

UT (12-3) Projected L’s: None
Losable games: None

2. 12.5-3.5

KU (12-3) Projected L’s: None
Losable games: at A&M

3. 9.5-6.5

k-state (9-6) Projected L’s: None
Losable games: at ISU

4. 9-7

OU (8-7) Projected L’s: None
Losable games: None

5. 8.5-7.5

A&M (8-7) Projected L’s: at BU
Losable games: KU

6. 8-8

Baylor (8-7) Projected L’s: at TT
Losable games: None

Tech (7-8) Projected L’s: None
Losable games: None

8. 7-9

OSU (7-8) Projected L’s: at UT
Losable games: None

NU (6-9) Projected L’s: None
Losable games: None

10. 6-10

MU (6-9) Projected L’s: at OU
Losable games: None

11. 4.5-11.5

ISU (4-11) Projected L’s: None
Losable games: ksu

12. 3-13

CU (3-12) Projected L’s: at NU
Losable games: None

FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE

Big XII Weekend Games, with IQ (Interest Quotient) on a 1-4 star scale:

SATURDAY

1. Baylor at Texas Tech (12:30p.m.)***

The Bears are one of four Big 12 teams playing to impress the NCAA selection committee. A loss and an 8-8 record will not help their cause. But Lubbock is not the place to be playing for your post-season life: Tech would be undefeated at Home but for a fluke last minute desperation shot by Oklahoma.

Projected W: Tech

2. Mizzou at OU (2:30p.m.)***

A W here sets the Sooners up nicely with that all important 9th win and a first round bye in K.C.

Projected W: OU

3. k-state at Iowa St (3:00p.m.)***1/2

k-state can punch its ticket to the Big Dance with its tenth conference victory. But make no mistake about it: At Hilton, this is a losable game.

Projected W: Toss-up

4. KU at A&M (3:00p.m.)****

The last meaningful game of the conference season. Unless you are deranged enough to think that Okie St can waltz into Austin and walk out with a Win.

Projected W: Toss-up

SUNDAY

5. Colorado at Nebraska (2:00p.m.)*

Wake me at half-time, so I can turn to Okie St at UT.

Projected W: Nebraska

6. Okie St at UT (3:00p.m.)***1/2

Can Okie St dish out a -1 in the REAL Standings to UT on Senior Day in Austin with at least a share of the Big 12 championship on the line? Not bloody likely. But UT did just squeak by Nebraska Tuesday night by 4 on this same court, where they barely outlasted hapless Colorado by 2 earlier this season. Not to mention surviving OT’s in Stillwater and Ames, and capitalizing on Baylor pulling a Chris Webber to make it out of Waco alive. So maybe, just maybe, UT is more accurately characterized as a resourceful team than an overpowering one. Might be worth looking in on this game, just in case. . .

Projected W: UT

–Mark

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WEEKEND RECAP

On the day before Texas Independence Day, Texas declared independence from the stranglehold it had on the Big 12 title, falling in Lubbock to a Red Raiders team that had lost by 44 points days earlier in College Station to a Texas A&M team that had lost days earlier in Austin by 27. But this game was not in Austin. And what is the prime premise of the REAL Standings? It is that Road games are different from Home games. And so, the Loss in Lubbock, being a Losable game, was hardly a surprise.

Surprise or not, it cost UT ½ game in the REAL Standings, preventing them from virtually wrapping up the Big 12 championship, having no Projected L’s and no Losable game remaining on its schedule.

UT does remain in first place in the REAL Standings, however, with KU having a Losable game yet to play. March 8. College Station. Where Tech fell by 44. Where UT fell by 17.

Where Nebraska won by 6. What’s wrong with this picture?

But, first, KU and UT must take care of business in Home games vs. Tech and Lubbock respectively. As if. . .

Meanwhile, Okie St continued making its move up the Real Standings Ladder, picking up a full game in the RSP with a Road victory at Nebraska—its third consecutive W away from home and its 5th in its last six games overall.

Non-Event games found Projected Home W’s by OU over A&M (10 points in the first half? Are you kidding me?), Baylor over Mizzou, Colorado over Iowa St, and–oh, by the way—KU over k-state (with Beasley outscoring A&M’s entire team 39-37).

REAL STANDINGS: 3/2/08

Note: The current breakdown of teams into tiers, which is the only subjective aspect of the REAL Standings is:

Tier One: KU, UT
Tier Two: Baylor, k-state, Mizzou, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Okie St, Texas A&M, Texas Tech
Tier Three: CU, ISU

1. 13-3

UT (11-3) Projected L’s: None
Losable games: None

2. 12.5-3.5

KU (11-3) Projected L’s: None
Losable games: at A&M

3. 9.5-6.5

k-state (8-6) Projected L’s: None
Losable games: at ISU

4. 9-7

Baylor (8-6) Projected L’s: at TT
Losable games: None

5. 8-8

OU (7-7) Projected L’s: at OSU
Losable games: None

OSU (7-7) Projected L’s: at UT
Losable games: None

Tech (7-7) Projected L’s: at KU
Losable games: None

8. 7.5-8.5

A&M (7-7) Projected L’s: at BU
Losable games: KU

9. 7-9

NU (6-8) Projected L’s: at UT
Losable games: None

10. 6-10

MU (5-9) Projected L’s: at OU
Losable games: None

11. 4.5-11.5

ISU (4-10) Projected L’s: at MU
Losable games: ksu

12. 3-13

CU (3-11) Projected L’s: at ksu, at NU
Losable games: None

FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE

Big XII Midweek Games, with IQ (Interest Quotient) on a 1-4 star scale:

MONDAY

1. Texas Tech at KU (8:0p.m.)**1/2

After playing Mr. Hyde last week in College Station, Tech played Dr. Jekyll Saturday afternoon vs. UT in Lubbock. On the Road again, expect a Hydeous relapse.

Projected W: KU

TUESDAY

2. NU at UT (6:30p.m.)*1/2

Exhibit 1 for the proposition that the Big 12 should consider adopting a mercy rule.

Projected W: UT

3. Colorado at k-state (8:00p.m.)*

Exhibit 2.

Projected W: k-state

WEDNESDAY

4. Iowa St at Mizzou (7:00p.m.)*1/2

Exhibit 3? That might be stretching it, but it won’t be Bedlam either. . .

Projected W: Mizzou

5. OU at Okie St (7:00p.m.)***1/2

With Okie St coming on strong (5 of their last 6), this game will justify the Bedlam Series moniker.

Projected W: Okie St

6. A&M at Baylor (8:00p.m.)***

These two teams played 65 minutes in College Station. For you Aggies and Bears, that’s longer than a football game.

Projected W: Baylor

–Mark

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MIDWEEK RECAP

The major Midweek story, of course, was k-state taking a dive against UT, knowing full well that doing so would visit the ultimate blow to their arch-rivals by knocking KU out of a flat-footed tie with UT in the REAL Standings and dropping the Jayhawks into second place.

Hey, I understand the animosity and all after spending 25 years as the Hawks’—how should I say, delicately, on a blog that might be read by youngsters: as the Hawks’ whipping boys.

Still, you would think Frank Martin, who has the outward appearance of a pit boss veteran, could have been more subtle about it. Letting Beasley ride the pine with the score deadlocked at 50 until UT took firm control of the contest with seven unanswered points. And simultaneously “resting” his second best player, Bill Walker, was nothing short of arrogance. Oh, and Walker—going 0-10 from the field was just plain clumsy. Your job is to create the appearance that you are trying to win the game.

At any rate, UT picked up a full game in the RSP with its W over what was, at the time, a Tier One Team. But no longer. Whether due to incompetence or chicanery, k-state, with a Home loss to go with its four Road setbacks, drops to Tier Two. In fact, with Road games remaining at KU and Iowa St, k-state will likely need to win in Ames just to match last year’s 10-6 conference record—which was not good enough to punch its ticket to the Big Dance.

The other big Weekday winner was Okie St, also picking up a full game in the RSP with its second consecutive Road victory—this one in Columbia–as well as its second consecutive last minute W.

Baylor picked up ½ game with its win at Tier Three CU.

The other three Midweek games were all Non-Events for purposes of the REAL Standings: KU over Third Tier Iowa St in Ames, and A&M and NU at Home vs. Texas Tech and OU respectively.

REAL STANDINGS: 2/29/08

Note: The current breakdown of teams into tiers, which is the only subjective aspect of the REAL Standings is:

Tier One: KU, UT
Tier Two: Baylor, k-state, Mizzou, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Okie St, Texas A&M, Texas Tech
Tier Three: CU, ISU

1. 13.5-2.5

UT (11-2) Projected L’s: None
Losable games: at TT

2. 12.5-3.5

KU (10-3) Projected L’s: None
Losable games: at A&M

3. 9.5-6.5

k-state (8-5) Projected L’s: at KU
Losable games: at ISU

4. 9-7

Baylor (7-6) Projected L’s: at TT
Losable games: None

5. 8-8

OU (6-7) Projected L’s: at OSU
Losable games: None

OSU (6-7) Projected L’s: at MU, at UT
Losable games: None

7. 7.5-8.5

A&M (7-6) Projected L’s: at OU, at BU
Losable games: KU

Tech (6-7) Projected L’s: at KU
Losable games: UT

9. 7-9

NU (7-7) Projected L’s: at OSU, at UT
Losable games: None

10. 6-10

MU (5-8) Projected L’s: at BU, at OU
Losable games: None

11. 4-12

ISU (4-9) Projected L’s: at CU, at MU, ksu
Losable games: None

12. 3-13

CU (2-11) Projected L’s: at ksu, at NU
Losable games: None

FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE

Big XII Weekend Games, with IQ (Interest Quotient) on a 1-4 star scale:

SATURDAY

1. NU at Okie St (12:30p.m.)***

Nice match up between two teams which, if not red hot, are a bit warmer than Luke.

Projected W: Okie St

2. A&M at OU (1:00p.m.)***

An elimination game for the Big Dance? Not quite, but not far from being one.

Projected W: OU

3. Mizzou at Baylor (3:00p.m.)***

Would you take the Over or Under at 185?

Projected W: Baylor

4. UT at Tech (3:00p.m.)***1/2

For all intents and purposes, KU’s chances of a share of their 51st conference rest on the shoulders of Martin Zeno and Co. The Techsters did not even show up for their first game vs. UT in Austin. However, has a team ever resembled Dr. Jekyll at home and Mr. Hyde on the Road more than this year’s Red Raiders? And they have no incentive to take a dive.

Projected W: None

5. ISU at CU (4:00p.m.)*

This is two years of your life you will never get back. Errrr—make that hours. It will just seem like years.

Projected W: CU

6. k-state at KU (8:00p.m.)****

‘Nuf said.

Projected W: KU

–Mark

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WEEKEND RECAP

The most important result this weekend found KU dropping a half game in the REAL Standings by frittering away a game against a vastly inferior team in Stillwater. In doing so, the Jayhawks, instead of taking a full game lead on UT, and protecting themselves against a UT W in Manhattan this Monday night, fell into a flat-footed tie with the Longhorns and now must pin their hopes on arch-rival k-state to keep UT from picking up a full game in the RSP and taking a formidable lead over the Hawks with only two games of REAL significance remaining on the Big 12 schedule: i.e., UT’s Losable game at Tech this coming Saturday, and KU’s Losable game in College Station a week later.

I must admit to giving some thought to dropping KU to Tier Two status after Saturday’s exercise in patheticism. My subjective standard for Tier One is that a team appear capable of winning every conference game at Home and at least half of its Road games. The Hawks are close to not meeting that definition if you question their chances in Ames Wednesday night. I can’t quite go there yet. I am also generally slow to change a team’s current status unless there is no reasonable argument to make for keeping it where it is.

The other result that mattered came out of Waco, as Baylor virtually ended k-state’s hopes for even a share of the Big 12 championship, dropping k-state another ½ game in the RSP. k-state should probably be dropped from Tier One with its fourth Road loss, but the sheer force of inertia says let’s see what they do Monday night.

The biggest numerical gainer of the week was Nebraska, as the Huskers continued its late season charge with a W in College Station in a game that had been a projected L. NU has not lost since being temporarily dropped to Tier Three in the RSP. Guess they took it personally.

Projected Home wins by Tech (vs. ISU), UT (vs. OU), and Mizzou (vs. CU) were all Non-Events for REAL Standings purposes.

REAL STANDINGS: 2/21/08

Note: The current breakdown of teams into tiers, which is the only subjective aspect of the REAL Standings is:

Tier One: KU, k-state, UT
Tier Two: Baylor, Mizzou, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Okie St, Texas A&M, Texas Tech
Tier Three: CU, ISU

1. 12.5-3.5

KU (9-3) Projected L’s: None
Losable games: at A&M

UT (10-2) Projected L’s: at ksu
Losable games: at TT

3. 11-5

k-state (8-4) Projected L’s: at KU
Losable games: None

4. 8.5-7.5

Baylor (6-6) Projected L’s: at TT
Losable games: at CU

5. 8-8

OU (6-6) Projected L’s: at NU, at OSU
Losable games: None

6. 7.5-8.5

A&M (6-6) Projected L’s: at OU, at BU
Losable games: KU

Tech (6-6) Projected L’s: at A&M, at KU
Losable games: UT

8. 7-9

MU (5-7) Projected L’s: at BU, at OU
Losable games: None

NU (5-7) Projected L’s: at OSU, at UT
Losable games: None

OSU (5-7) Projected L’s: at MU, at UT
Losable games: None

11. 4-12

ISU (4-8) Projected L’s: KU, at CU, at MU, ksu
Losable games: None

12. 3.5-12.5

CU (2-10) Projected L’s: at ksu, at NU
Losable games: BU

FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE

Big XII Weekend Games, with IQ (Interest Quotient) on a 1-4 star scale:

MONDAY

1. UT at k-state (8:00p.m.)****

k-state holds KU’s dreams of a 51st conference title in its purple hands. As the Wicked Witch of the West would say, “What a world. What a world.”

Projected W: k-state

TUESDAY

2. Okie St at Mizzou (8:00p.m.)***

Okie St is playing well for a Tier Two Team. They are, however, 1-19 in their last 20 Road games. They did beat A&M in College Station last week, but that feat is so easy even a Cave—errrrrr–Cornhusker can do it.

Projected W: MU

WEDNESDAY

3. KU at Iowa St (6:00p.m.)***

ISU is no slouch at Hilton, despite blowing a game that was in the proverbial bag against UT. They are probably as good in Hilton as Okie St is in GIA. Bad news for KU? Maybe. Then again, another opportunity for the Jayhawks to display or develop some Road mettle.

Projected W: KU

4. OU at NU (7:00p.m.)***

Can the Huskers continue their winning ways vs. the Griffin Gang?

Projected W: NU

5. Tech at A&M (7:00p.m.)**1/2

A simply horrible Road team vs. what has recently been a simply horrible Home team. Movable Object meet Resistable Force.

Projected W: A&M

6. Baylor at CU (7:30p.m.)****

A critical game for Baylor’s NCAA chances.

Projected W: None

–Mark

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WEEKEND RECAP

Counterintuitively to those who slavishly follow the Uninformed Standings, KU followed up its positive Midweek (despite losing) with a Superbad Weekend (despite winning). And knowledgeable Jayhawk fans are not McLovin it.

Although your local newspaper will make it appear that the Jayhawks treaded water vis-a vis k-state and UT, the REAL Standings reveal the truth: UT’s victory over Baylor, which had been a Projected L, allowed it to pick up a full game in the RSP. UT now trails KU by a mere ½ game.

k-state also picked up a full game, albeit by a different route. Their Projected W over Mizzou in Manhattan, like KU’s routine victory over Colorado, was a non-event for purposes of the Real Standings. However, their remaining schedule suddenly looks a full game easier as both Baylor and Nebraska have proven unworthy of their former status as Tier One and Tier Two Teams respectively—resulting in the Baylor game moving from the Projected L column to being merely a Losable game, and NU moving from the Losable column to a Projected W. Each move benefits k-state to the extent of ½ game, meaning k-state, along with UT, is now within a half game of the Jayhawks.

Don’t look now, but what this means is that KU fans may become Beasley, Walker and Co.’s most ardent supporters on Big Monday a week hence when they take on UT. Otherwise, barring an unexpected L by UT to A&M at Home or tech in Lubbock, the Jayhawks may need to win out just to tie for the Big 12 title and claim the No. 2 seed in the conference tourney.

In news from the nether regions, OU remained in the conversation for the fourth bye in the Big 12 tourney as it picked up a full game in the RSP with a fluke heave from Plainview in the final two seconds at Tech.

Okie St, meanwhile, proved itself to be a legitimate Tier Two Team by following up its Home Win vs. Baylor (a Tier One team at the time) with its first Road W in two years at the expense of A&M, for a combined 1½ game move up the REAL Standings ladder.

Nebraska, on the other hand, went the other way, dropping 1½ games in the RSP by losing to Tier Two Mizzou at Home and Tier Three ISU in Ames—and, in the process, dropping in rank to the Tier 3 itself.

REAL STANDINGS: 2/17/08

1. 13-3

KU (9-2) Projected L’s: None
Losable games: at OSU, at A&M

2. 12.5-3.5

UT (8-2) Projected L’s: at ksu
Losable games: at TT

k-state (8-2) Projected L’s: at KU
Losable games: at BU

4. 8.5-7.5

A&M (5-4) Projected L’s: at UT, at OU, at BU
Losable games: KU

OU (5-5) Projected L’s: at UT, at OSU
Losable games: at NU

6. 8-8

Baylor (4-5) Projected L’s: at OU, at TT
Losable games: k-state, at CU

7. 7-9

MU (4-7) Projected L’s: at BU, at OU
Losable games: N.A.

Tech (4-6) Projected L’s: at A&M, at KU
Losable games: at CU, UT

9. 6.5-9.5

OSU (4-7) Projected L’s: at MU, at UT
Losable games: KU

10. 4.5-11.5

NU (3-7) Projected L’s: ksu, at A&M, at OSU, at UT
Losable games: OU

11. 4-12

ISU (4-7) Projected L’s: at TT, KU, at CU, at MU, ksu
Losable games: N/A

CU (2-8) Projected L’s: at at MU, at ksu, at NU
Losable games: TT, BU

FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE

Big XII Weekday Games, with IQ (Interest Quotient) on a 1-4 star scale:

MONDAY

1. A&M at UT (8:00p.m.)****

The game in College Station was never in doubt, as the Aggies controlled the contest from start to finish. We’ll see how much difference home cooking makes to UT.

Projected W: UT

TUESDAY

2. Baylor at OU (7:00p.m.)****

After the 5 OT game at A&M, it looked like Baylor had arrived as a player in the Big 12. Their choke job Saturday at Home vs. UT proved otherwise. 1-17 from three point range in the first half? Are you kidding me? To paraphrase Dickie V, a word having something to do with a diaper would be appropriate, but it would not be “dandy.”

Projected W: OU

WEDNESDAY

3. Texas Tech at CU (7:00p.m.)*1/2

The worst tem in the league vs. the worst Road team in the league. Won’t be a “good” game, but it could be close.

Projected W: None

4. k-state at NU (8:00p.m.)**

This game had been slated as a Losable game for k-state prior to Saturday. The Cornhuskers are devoid of good wins during the conference season, and there is no reason to believe that this will change Wednesday night—even vs. a team that has already lost on the Road to Mizzou and become Pat Knight’s first and only victim as a head coach.

Projected W: k-state

–Mark

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MIDWEEK RECAP

Again, for two days, my ears were subjected to the nonsensical assertion that k-state was in first place in the Big 12—that KU had somehow fallen out of the lead just because they lost a game they were projected to lose in the REAL Standings.

I pity the fool who gives any mind to the UNreal—or should I say Uninformed—Standings found in your local newspaper.

In REALity, KU moved closer to capturing its 51st conference championship during this midweek session of games, by virtue of k-state’s losable game loss to Texas Tech, which caused the purple gang to drop ½ game further behind the Jayhawks in the REAL Standings. KU’s REAL Standings record remained 13-3, because the L the Jayhawks took in Austin had already been debited against their account. The Hawks did miss an opportunity to virtually end the conference race by picking up a full game in the REAL Standings. But what fun would that be? Then there would be little reason for me to engage in this exercise, other than keeping track of the team most likely to grab the fourth first round bye in the conference tourney.

The biggest midweek winner is Mizzou, picking up a full game in the REAL Standings with its OT victory at Nebraska, a game that was a projected L for the Tigers. This avenged Mizzou’s earlier loss in a projected W game to NU in Columbia.

Other midweek winners, picking up ½ game in the RSP, are, of course, Tech, as well as Okie St, with its victory over a One Tier Higher team (Baylor) in Stillwater. The latter game raises the issue of whether Baylor should retain its status as a Tier One Team. Let’s just say that the Bears are on double secret probation. (Although, in its favor, BU has no Road games remaining on its schedule at any contender’s venue.)

OU’s victory over Iowa St in Norman, being a projected W for the Sooners, was, like the UT/KU game, a non-event in the REAL world.

REAL STANDINGS: 2/15/08

1. 13-3

KU (8-2) Projected L’s: None
Losable games: at OSU, at A&M

2. 11.5-4.5

k-state (7-2) Projected L’s: at BU, at KU
Losable games: at NU

UT (7-2) Projected L’s: at BU, at ksu
Losable games: at TT

4. 11-5

Baylor (4-4) Projected L’s: None
Losable games: at OU, at TT

5. 9.5-6.5

A&M (5-3) Projected L’s: at UT, at OU, at BU
Losable games: KU

6. 7.5-8.5

Tech (4-5) Projected L’s: at A&M, at KU
Losable games: at CU, UT, BU

7. 7-9

MU (4-6) Projected L’s: at ksu, at BU, at OU
Losable games: N.A.

8. 6.5-9.5

OU (4-5) Projected L’s: at TT, at UT, at NU, at OSU
Losable games: BU

9. 6-10

NU (3-6) Projected L’s: at A&M, at OSU, at UT
Losable games: at ISU, ksu

10. 5.5-10.5

OSU (3-7) Projected L’s: at A&M, at MU, at UT
Losable games: KU

11. 3.5-12.5

ISU (3-7) Projected L’s: at TT, KU, at CU, at MU, ksu
Losable games: NU

CU (2-7) Projected L’s: at KU, at MU, BU, at ksu, at NU
Losable games: TT

FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE

Big XII Weekend Games, with IQ (Interest Quotient) on a 1-4 star scale:

SATURDAY

1. CU at KU (12:30p.m.)*

For the second time this season, CU catches the Jayhawks coming off a loss. In fact, no one else has had this distinction even once. The first time, CU put up a fight for 30 minutes. This game, however, is in Lawrence vs. a team whose manhood has been questioned not only by fans and sportswriters, but by its own coach. And it is Hoops reunion weekend in Lawrence, including a celebration of the 1988 NCAA champions. The halftime festivities should be more interesting than the actual game.

Projected W: KU

2. Okie St at A&M (2:00p.m.)**1/2

Okie St got a nice Home victory for a Tier Two Team Wednesday night vs. Baylor. Will it ever take its act on the Road?

Projected W: A&M

3. NU at ISU (3:00p.m.)*1/2

Two teams going nowhere. Iowa St is watchable in Hilton Coliseum.

Projected W: None

4. OU at Tech (3:00p.m.)***

Nice Tier Two matchup with Longar Longar back in the lineup for OU OU.

Projected W: Tech

5. Mizzou at k-state (5:00p.m.)***

Let’s see if k-state is any good at playing the revenge card. Even so, Mizzou, having nothing to lose, might make this a ball game.

Projected W: k-state

6. UT at Baylor (5:00p.m.)****

An Opportunity Game for UT. A W here, and they move past k-state and to within ½ game of the Jayhawks in the REAL Standings. On the other side of the coin, a Baylor loss places them in jeopardy of losing their edge over A&M for a Thursday bye in the Big 12 tournament.

Projected W: Baylor

–Mark

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WEEKEND RECAP

A&M continues its quest to re-establish itself as a Top Tier Team in the Big 12. Winning in Columbia—a task UT and k-state were unable to accomplish—is a nice feather in the Aggie helmet, to the extent of ½ game in the REAL Standings. There may, indeed, be five high quality teams in the Big XII. How many conferences can say that?

Before Longar Longar went down, it looked like there might be six. But losing at Home on Monday to UT and in Boulder on Saturday cost OU a full game in the REAL Standings Projections. Meanwhile, the victory by the Buffs over the Sooners moved CU up ½ game and into a flat-footed tie with 11th place Iowa St. A Road W by either CU or ISU vs. a Tier Two team would separate one from the other and be cause for serious consideration of an upgrade to Tier Two.

The other four games went as projected, with KU, k-state, and Nebraska holding their serve at Home vs. visiting Baylor, Okie St, and Tech. UT was fortunate to win in OT at Two Tier Lower ISU, but they did win. No harm done to their REAL Standings’ standing or their hopes for a conference championship.

REAL STANDINGS: 2/10/08

1. 13-3

KU (8-1) Projected L’s: at UT
Losable games: at OSU, at A&M

2. 12-4

k-state (7-1) Projected L’s: at BU, at KU
Losable games: at TT, at NU

3. 11.5-4.5

Baylor (4-3) Projected L’s: None
Losable games: at OSU, at OU, at TT

UT (6-2) Projected L’s: at BU, at ksu
Losable games: at TT

5. 9.5-6.5

A&M (5-3) Projected L’s: at UT, at OU, at BU
Losable games: KU

6. 7-9

NU (3-5) Projected L’s: at A&M, at OSU, at UT
Losable games: at ISU, ksu

Tech (3-5) Projected L’s: at A&M, at KU
Losable games: ksu, at CU, UT, BU

8. 6.5-9.5

OU (3-5) Projected L’s: at TT, at UT, at NU, at OSU
Losable games: BU

9. 6-10

MU (3-6) Projected L’s: at NU, at ksu, at BU, at OU
Losable games: N.A.

10. 5-11

OSU (2-7) Projected L’s: at A&M, at MU, at UT
Losable games: Baylor, KU

11. 3.5-12.5

ISU (3-6) Projected L’s: at OU, at TT, KU, at CU, at MU, ksu
Losable games: NU

CU (2-7) Projected L’s: at KU, at MU, BU, at ksu, at NU
Losable games: TT

FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE

Big XII Weekday Games, with IQ (Interest Quotient) on a 1-4 star scale:

MONDAY

1. KU at UT (8:00p.m.)****

Monday night, the Live Music Capital of the World becomes the Live Basketball Capital. UT is the rest of the contenders’ Great Orange Hope. Lose, and not only can they forget about the Big XII title, everyone else is on life support.

Projected W: UT

WEDNESDAY

2. Baylor at Okie St (7:00p.m.)**

Okie St needs to do something—anything—to show that they are justly categorized as a second tier team.

Projected W: None

3. ISU at OU (7:30p.m.)*1/2

ISU had UT on the ropes Saturday in Ames. With OU reeling from Longar Longar’s unfortunate unfortunate injury imjury, this is the Cyclones’ opportunity to earn a battlefield promotion to Tier Two.

Projected W: OU

4. Mizzou at NU (7:00p.m.)**

The players’ families will be watching this game closely. They pretty much have to.

Projected W: NU

5. k-state at Tech (8:00p.m.)***

Pat Knight tries again to pull within 901 wins of his dad. Not to mention 16 of Frank Martin. Heady stuff, indeed.

Projected W: None

–Mark

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MIDWEEK RECAP

The mid-season doldrums struck with a vengeance this week (even though that is not the normal nature of doldrums). Three of the top four teams in the REAL Standings won handily in their Home courts. No story there.

Okie St protected its Home court vs. the Colorado Woefulloes. Nothing noteworthy in that.

The only minor changes in the REAL Standings came with UT and A&M pulling out Road victories vs. One Tier Lower Teams OU and Iowa St respectively. UT’s win, however, came with Longar Longar on the bench the bench, taking some of the luster off what would otherwise be an impressive achievement.

Still, impressive or not, UT picked up ½ game in the REAL Standings and remained a viable contender in the championship race—especially with their only game vs. KU being in Austin. A&M’s ½ game pickup kept the Aggies in contention for one of the four first round byes in the conference tournament.

REAL STANDINGS: 2/7/08

1. 13-3

KU (7-1) Projected L’s: at UT
Losable games: at OSU, at A&M

2. 12-4

k-state (6-1) Projected L’s: at BU, at KU
Losable games: at TT, at NU

3. 11.5-4.5

Baylor (4-2) Projected L’s: at KU
Losable games: at OSU, at OU, at TT

4. 11.5-4.5

UT (5-2) Projected L’s: at BU, at ksu
Losable games: at TT

5. 8.5-7.5

A&M (4-3) Projected L’s: at MU, at UT, at OU, at BU
Losable games: KU

6. 7-9

OU (3-4) Projected L’s: at TT, at UT, at NU, at OSU
Losable games: at CU, BU

NU (2-5) Projected L’s: at A&M, at OSU, at UT
Losable games: at ISU, ksu

Tech (3-4) Projected L’s: at NU, at A&M, at KU
Losable games: ksu, at CU, UT, BU

MU (3-5) Projected L’s: at NU, at ksu, at BU, at OU
Losable games: N.A.

10. 5-11

OSU (2-6) Projected L’s: at ksu, at A&M, at MU, at UT
Losable games: Baylor, KU

11. 3.5-12.5

ISU (3-5) Projected L’s: UT, at OU, at TT, KU, at CU, at MU, ksu
Losable games: NU

12. 3-13

CU (1-7) Projected L’s: at KU, at MU, BU, at ksu, at NU
Losable games: OU, TT

FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE

Big XII Weekend Games, with IQ (Interest Quotient) on a 1-4 star scale:

SATURDAY

1. A&M at Mizzou (12:30p.m.)***1/2

Mizzou has already taken down UT and k-state in Columbia. A&M looks for its biggest win of the season to catapult it back into consideration as a Tier One team.

Projected W: Mizzou

2. OU at CU (2:00p.m.)**

If CU comes to play as focused as it did last Saturday against KU, it could be crying time for the Sooners.

Projected W: None

3. UT at ISU (2:30p.m.)*1/2

UT is starting to gel. Iowa St will have to step up its game at least two notches to pull the upset here. Is there any Magic remaining in Hilton, or does that require magical players?

Projected W: UT

4. Tech at Nebraska (5:00p.m.)**

A win here, and Pat Knight is a mere 901 W’s behind his dad.

Projected W: NU

5. Okie St at k-state (7:00p.m.)*1/2

Move along, folks. Nothing to see here.

Projected W: k-state

6. Baylor at KU (7:00p.m.)***1/2

Baylor’s opportunity to make a name for itself and become the second Big 12 South team to win in AFH.

Projected W: KU

–Mark

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WEEKEND RECAP

For three days, I kept hearing and reading lies: that k-state was atop the Big 12 standings.

Those who bothered to take the short trip to phogblog.com knew better. KU was still in first place in the REAL Big 12 Standings, where winning any Home game does not improve your lot, nor does losing a Road game to a team in your peer group damage your position—with the exception of when it comes at the hands of an opponent from the other division, and you do not get the opportunity to even the score on your Home court.

Repeat the REAL Standings mantra after me: You prove yourself on the Road. You win championships on the Road. All you can do at Home is stay alive.

In the REAL world, k-state had simply managed to tread water Wednesday night in Manhattan, no matter how history views their first W in 25 tries exploits. They remained where they were prior to that game REAL Standings-wise: ½ game behind the Jayhawks.

However, k-state had a chance to move into a flat-footed tie with KU Saturday. All they had to do to make up that ½ game was win at Columbia. KU, playing Two Tier Lower Colorado in Boulder could not make any headway in the REAL Standings—this was a game they were projected to win. k-state’s game, on the other hand, being at One Tier Lower Mizzou, was a losable game, meaning they could gain ½ game with a Road victory.

Of course, it also meant k-state could lose ½ game and fall a full game behind the Hawks in the REAL Standings.

The latter happened. Meaning that KU is now more firmly in control of the Big 12 race than it was before going to Manhattan.

All other games this weekend went as projected: UT, Tech, NU, and A&M all prevailed at Home vs. Baylor, Okie St, Iowa St, and OU respectively. No change in the REAL Standings for any of these eight teams. Only k-state and Mizzou made any movement, which was inevitable under the REAL Standings formula.

REAL STANDINGS: 2/3/08

1. 13-3

KU (6-1) Projected L’s: at UT
Losable games: at OSU, at A&M

2. 12-4

k-state (5-1) Projected L’s: at BU, at KU
Losable games: at TT, at NU

3. 11.5-4.5

Baylor (4-2) Projected L’s: at KU
Losable games: at OSU, at OU, at TT

4. 11-5

UT (4-2) Projected L: at BU, at ksu
Losable games: at OU, at TT

5. 8-8

A&M (4-3) Projected L: at MU, at UT, at OU, at BU
Losable games: at ISU, KU

6. 7.5-8.5

OU (3-3) Projected L’s: at A&M, at TT, at UT, at NU, at OSU
Losable games: UT, at CU, BU

7. 7-9

NU (2-4) Projected L’s: at ksu, at A&M, at OSU, at UT
Losable games: at ISU, ksu

Tech (3-3) Projected L’s: at BU, at NU, at A&M, at KU
Losable games: ksu, at CU, UT, BU

MU (3-4) Projected L’s: at KU, at NU, at ksu, at BU, at OU
Losable games: N.A.

10. 5-11

OSU (1-6) Projected L’s: at ksu, at A&M, at MU, at UT
Losable games: Baylor, KU

11. 4-12

ISU (3-4) Projected L’s: UT, at OU, at TT, KU, at CU, at MU, ksu
Losable games: A&M, NU

12. 3-13

CU (1-6) Projected L’s: at OSU, at KU, at MU, BU, at ksu, at NU
Losable games: OU, TT

FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE

Big XII Weekday Games, with IQ (Interest Quotient) on a 1-4 star scale:

MONDAY

1. Mizzou at KU (8:00p.m.)***1/2

Doesn’t look like much on paper. But, hey, it’s Kansas v. Missouri. You can bet that Mizzou will bring it for 40 minutes.

Projected W: KU

TUESDAY

2. A&M at Iowa St (7:00p.m.)***

Iowa St is a Level Three Team, but has shown that it is a tough out in Ames. The Aggies, trying to work their way back to the Top Tier after lsong to Baylor at Home and being blown out on the Road by Tech and k-state, better come prepared with an antidote for Hilton Magic or their newly-regained prowess could be history.

Projected W: None

WEDNESDAY

3. UT at OU (6:00p.m.)****

UT takes to the Road again to play another arch-rival. And fighting for survival in the championship race. They can’t afford a third Road loss to a Tier Two Team. Should be the game of the week.

Projected W: None

4. Colorado at Okie St (7:00p.m.)*1/2

A rare chance for a Buffalo Road victory. If they play like they did in Austin, Okie St will be in for a battle.

Projected W: OSU

5. NU at k-state (7:00p.m.)**1/2

NU goes for three in a row. Unfortunately, this game is not at Home (a la ISU), against a Level Three Team (ISU), or vs. a suspension depleted team (Mizzou). It is against a team that has shown that it can play well at Home.

Projected W: k-state

6. Tech at Baylor (7:00p.m.)**1/2

If Tech plays like it has on the Road all season, this one will be a laugher at Bobby Knight’s expense.

Projected W: Baylor

–Mark

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MIDWEEK RECAP

Nebraska was the big winner in the Midweek REAL Standings Projections, winning a Road game vs. a peer Tier Two Team. Didn’t hurt that Mizzou resembled an intramural team. But, as the saying goes, they don’t ask how, just how many. With its victory, NU picked up not only its first conference W of 2008, but gained a full game in the RSP.

A&M picked up ½ game with its Home court victory over UT, a One Tier Higher Team.

OU, ISU, and k-state all picked up their projected Home W’s over Okie St, CU, and KU respectively. No REAL changes there.

REAL STANDINGS: 1/31/08

1. 13-3

KU (5-1) Projected L’s: at UT
Losable games: at OSU, at A&M

2. 12.5-3.5

k-state (5-0) Projected L’s: at BU, at KU
Losable games: at MU, at TT, at NU

3. 11.5-4.5

Baylor (4-1) Projected L’s: at UT, at KU
Losable games: at OSU, at OU, at TT

4. 11-5

UT (3-2) Projected L: at BU, at ksu
Losable games: at OU, at TT

5. 8-8

A&M (3-3) Projected L: at MU, at UT, at OU, at BU
Losable games: at ISU, KU

6. 7.5-8.5

OU (3-2) Projected L’s: at A&M, at TT, at UT, at NU, at OSU
Losable games: UT, at CU, BU

7. 7-9

NU (1-4) Projected L’s: at ksu, at A&M, at OSU, at UT
Losable games: at ISU, ksu

Tech (2-3) Projected L’s: at BU, at NU, at A&M, at KU
Losable games: ksu, at CU, UT, BU

9. 6.5-9.5

MU (2-4) Projected L’s: at KU, at NU, at ksu, at BU, at OU
Losable games: ksu

10. 5-11

OSU (1-5) Projected L’s: at TT, at ksu, at A&M, at MU, at UT
Losable games: Baylor, KU

11. 4-12

ISU (3-3) Projected L’s: at NU, UT, at OU, at TT, KU, at CU, at MU, ksu
Losable games: A&M, NU

12. 3-13

CU (1-5) Projected L’s: KU, at OSU, at KU, at MU, BU, at ksu, at NU
Losable games: OU, TT

FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE

Big XII Weekend Games, with IQ (Interest Quotient) on a 1-4 star scale:

SATURDAY

1. Baylor at UT (12:30p.m.)****

Baylor’s opportunity to validate themselves as a Tier One Team. They did everything but beat UT in Austin and OKC last year. Unfortunately, they will run into a desperate and humiliated UT team, having been taken to the cleaners for the fourth straight time in College Station.

Projected W: UT

2. k-state at Mizzou St (12:30p.m.)***(?)

With Mizzou at fuill strength, this would be a 4 star special. With Hannah out, it drops a full star in desirability. If his teammates’ suspensions hold, it will be a ½ star lemon. If the suspendees return with a vengeance, Mizzou is good enough at Home to make this one entertaining—especially if k-state has a hangover of any extent.

Projected W: None

3. Okie St at tech (1:00p.m.)***

Tech sucks big time on the Road, but is competitive at Home. Okie St is generally competitive Home or Away. Not a game of much import, but it could be interesting.

Projected W: Tech

4. KU at Colorado (2:30p.m. CST)**

I feel sorry for the Buffs.

Projected W: KU

5. Iowa St at NU (3:00p.m.)*

NU goes for two in a row. An ISU victory might result in a battlefield promotion to Tier Two.

Projected W: NU

6. OU at A&M (3:00p.m.)****

Two teams back on the right track. One will come out of this contest riding a three game winning streak.

Projected W: A&M

–Mark

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WEEKEND RECAP

Don’t try to make me do a recap, ‘cause I’ll say, “No, No, No.”

Who cares what happened Saturday? We have history in the making Wednesday night in Manhattan, KS.

Remember that football game that had been scheduled to be played in Lawrence on November 24? The one between No. 2 Kansas and No. 4 Mizzou? The game that would have been the biggest sporting event ever played in the State of Kansas?

With Lew Perkins’ sale of that game to the State of Missouri, some other game retains that title: No. 1 ranked KU vs. No. 2 Mizzou in basketball in 1990, perhaps. The KU/OU football game in ’68 maybe. Or even, possibly, k-state vs. Nebraska in ’98, a game that put k-state within shouting distance of a berth in the BCS title game.

Those games move to the backseat Wednesday night.

The Top Ten reasons this game has it all:

1. Two arch-rivals;
2. From the Sunflower State—no interlopers from the east or the north on this night;
3. The only two teams still undefeated in Big 12 play;
4. The top Two Teams in the REAL Standings;
5. The best team in the country;
6. The team with arguably the best player in the country and likely No. 1 pick in this year’s NBA draft;
7. A Home team that has never beaten its arch-rival on its Home court;
8. A Home team that has not beaten its arch-rival in its home town in the life-time of any player on either team;
9. A REAL frustrated Home team fan base (see 7 and ; and, the piece de resistance,
10. The arguably best player in the country guaranteeing a victory for the Home team.

It doesn’t get any bigger than this for raw emotion. By approximately 9:00p.m. Wednesday night, either k-state fans will have their most exhilarating sports moment in a quarter of a century, or KU fans will have their best laugh since—well–since October 6.

Well, okay. If you insist, here is the Weekend Recap: OU +1 (BU -1); A&M +1 (OSU -1); Mizzou +.5 (CU -.5). No other movement in the RSP.

As for Baylor, their week that was brings to mind the words of George C. Scott as Gen. George S. Patton:

For over a thousand years, Roman conquerors returning from the wars enjoyed the honor of a triumph — a tumultuous parade. In the procession came trumpeters and musicians and strange animals from the conquered territories, together with carts laden with treasure and captured armaments. The conqueror rode in a triumphal chariot, the dazed prisoners walking in chains before him. Sometimes his children, robed in white, stood with him in the chariot, or rode the trace horses. A slave stood behind the conqueror, holding a golden crown, and whispering in his ear a warning: that all glory is fleeting.

REAL STANDINGS: 1/27/08

1. 13-3

KU (5-0) Projected L’s: at ksu, at UT
Losable games: at OSU, at A&M

2. 12.5-3.5

k-state (4-0) Projected L’s: at BU, at KU
Losable games: at MU, at TT, at NU

3. 11.5-4.5

Baylor (4-1) Projected L’s: at UT, at KU
Losable games: at OSU, at OU, at TT

UT (3-1) Projected L: at BU, at ksu
Losable games: at A&M, at OU, at TT

5. 7.5-8.5

Mizzou (2-3) Projected L’s: at KU, at NU, at ksu, at BU, at OU
Losable games: ksu

A&M (2-3) Projected L: at MU, at UT, at OU, at BU
Losable games: UT, at ISU, KU

OU (2-2) Projected L’s: at A&M, at TT, at UT, at NU, at OSU
Losable games: UT, at CU, BU

8. 7-9

Tech (2-3) Projected L’s: at BU, at NU, at A&M, at KU
Losable games: ksu, at CU, UT, BU

9. 6-10

NU (0-4) Projected L’s: at MU, at ksu, at A&M, at OSU, at UT
Losable games: at ISU, ksu

10. 5-11

OSU (1-4) Projected L’s: at OU, at TT, at ksu, at A&M, at MU, at UT
Losable games: Baylor, KU

11. 4-12

ISU (2-3) Projected L’s: at NU, UT, at OU, at TT, KU, at CU, at MU, ksu
Losable games: A&M, NU

12. 3-13

CU (1-4) Projected L’s: at ISU, KU, at OSU, at KU, at MU, BU, at ksu, at NU
Losable games: OU, TT

FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE

Big XII Weekday Games, with IQ (Interest Quotient) on a 1-4 star scale:

MONDAY

1. Okie St at OU (8:00p.m.)**

Okie St is going nowhere fast. With Blake Griffin back in the lineup, this should not be much of a game on Norman. The only thing this game has going for it is its name: the Bedlam Series. Maybe OSU will play over its head for 40 minutes and make this one interesting. But that’s not the way to bet.

Projected W: OU

TUESDAY

2. Colorado at Iowa St (7:00p.m.)*

The worst game of the Big 12 season. Except for Iowa St at Colorado.

Projected W: ISU

WEDNESDAY

3. KU at k-state (7:00p.m.)*****

Somewhere there is an old man, clad in purple, on his knees praying that k-state will beat KU in Manhattan in his lifetime.

Somewhere else, a young boy.

A game for the ages.

A game for all ages.

Twenty-five is a good age.

Projected W: k-state

4. Nebraska at Mizzou (7:00p.m.)**

Poor Nebraska. Survive this game, and they get ISU at Home Saturday.

Projected W: Mizzou

5. Texas at A&M (8:00p.m.)****

A&M’s chance for redemption. UT’s chance to stay relevant.

Projected W: None

–Mark

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What? Are these TV executives so stupid that they don’t even read the REAL Standings anymore? The Baylor/A&M game was listed in the Midweek preview of Big 12 games as the only 4 star contest on the menu. Yet it was the only one of the five Midweek games that was not televised anywhere?

As for the game in College Station, I mentioned prior to the game that I would be surprised if Baylor stayed within singled digits. This was not a comment on Baylor’s talent level. They showed last year and early this season, that they had a nice lineup. In fact, I was in agreement with the UDK columnist who noted in his Tuesday blog that “Baylor Basketball is this season’s Kansas football.”

However, the Bears appeared to have two major obstacles facing them in this game: First, the Aggies would, I assumed, defend their Home turf with a vengeance—especially after going 0-2 on their recent Road trip to the Big 12’s garden spots of Lubbock and Manhattan. Second, Baylor had never won a game of this magnitude. They came close a couple of times last year (reminiscent of the ’06 football Jayhawks), but had always found a way to fall short. Until a team with good players actually wins a big game, I don’t expect them to do so.

It did help that the Aggies put on the worst free throw/3 point shooting exhibition since that of another team in a game we all recall in New Orleans half a decade ago. The key, however, is not that the Aggies refused to win. It is that Baylor took advantage of the opportunity and refused to go away. This is what good teams do. Now that they have their coming of age game behind them, they will be a load the rest of the year. In fact, it is not inconceivable that KU’s toughest remaining game could be Baylor in Lawrence—in spite of the REAL Standings’ normally strict Home game/Road game dichotomy.

One other thing: From KU’s standpoint, with regard to the Big 12 race, Darrell Arthur’s decision to attend KU might prove to be less important than his decision to NOT attend Baylor. There was a time when it was thought that D.A. and Kevin Rogers would attend the same school. If Baylor had both, they might even now be the prohibitive favorite to bask in Big 12 championship glory for the first time ever in a sport that matters.

Not to be relegated to the role of being simply an after-thought, k-state also made a statement Wednesday night. As a normal matter, I would not be impressed with a Road win at a Third Tier Team like Colorado. However, k-state won this game the way a good team should win a game against a non-competitor—by making the game non-competitive. k-state took command early in the first half, stayed in control the rest of the way, and never let the Buffaloes entertain any thoughts about making it a contest. They also played a little bit of defense.

With two Road wins each, and considering the manner in which they have gotten the job done, I am inclined to consider Baylor and k-state as “contenders” for the purposes of the REAL Standings. This does not mean that I subjectively believe that either can stand up to KU over a 16 game schedule and seriously threaten to wrest the championship from the Jayhawks. It does mean that they have elevated themselves above their former peer Tier Two Teams, and should be considered front-runners for a Thursday bye in the Big 12 Tournament and the virtually automatic NCAA bid that goes with that status. And an outside shot at the conference title.

And A&M? Suffice it to state that, with three losses and more to come, they are in no way, shape, or form a Tier One Team. In fact, the only thing they are in contention for is bubble status.

Aside from Baylor and k-state, the only other team that made progress in the REAL Standings in the Midweek games was UT, picking up ½ game in the RSP with its Road win at Okie St. KU and Tech both picked up projected Home W’s with no muss or fuss against ISU and Mizzou respectively.

REAL STANDINGS: 1/24/08

1. 13-3

KU (4-0) Projected L’s: at ksu, at UT

Losable games: at OSU, at A&M

2. 12.5-3.5

Baylor (4-0) Projected L’s: at UT, at KU

Losable games: at OSU, at OU, at TT

k-state (3-0) Projected L’s: at BU, at KU

Losable games: at MU, at TT, at NU

4. 11.5-4.5

UT (2-1) Projected L: at BU, at ksu

Losable games: at A&M, at OU, at TT

5. 7-9

Mizzou (1-3) Projected L’s: at KU, at NU, at ksu, at BU, at OU

Losable games: at CU, ksu

Tech (2-2) Projected L’s: at UT, at BU, at NU, at A&M, at KU

Losable games: ksu, at CU, UT, BU

7. 6.5-9.5

A&M (1-3) Projected L: at OSU, at MU, at UT, at OU, at BU

Losable games: UT, at ISU, KU

OU (1-2) Projected L’s: at BU, at A&M, at TT, at UT, at NU, at OSU

Losable games: UT, at CU, BU

9. 6-10

NU (0-3) Projected L’s: at KU, at MU, at ksu, at A&M, at OSU, at UT

Losable games: at ISU, ksu

OSU (1-3) Projected L’s: at OU, at TT, at ksu, at A&M, at MU, at UT

Losable games: Baylor, KU

11. 4-12

ISU (2-2) Projected L’s: at ksu, at NU, UT, at OU, at TT, KU, at CU, at MU, ksu

Losable games: A&M, NU

12. 3.5-12.5

CU (1-3) Projected L’s: at ISU, KU, at OSU, at KU, at MU, BU, at ksu, at NU

Losable games: MU, OU, TT

FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE

Big XII Weekend Games, with IQ (Interest Quotient):

SATURDAY

1. NU at KU (12:30p.m.)*1/2

The only angle of interest int heis game is whether KU will be caught looking ahead to next Wednesday and allow the Huskers to stay closer than they did in Lincoln.

Projected W: KU

2. A&M at Okie St (1:00p.m.)***

Two extremely desperate teams. Expect to see some desperate measures.

Projected W: Okie St

3. Mizzou at Colorado (2:00p.m.)**

Did I hear correctly that Mizzou is looking for its first Big 12 Road win since Quin? If they don’t get it Saturday, they might still be looking this time next year.

Projected W: None

4. OU at Baylor (3:00p.m.)**1/2

With Blake Griffith, OU’s front line would have a good shot at stealing this game. If they win without him, it will be grand larceny.

Projected W: Baylor

5. Iowa St at k-state (5:00p.m.)**

If k-state is truly a Tier One Team, this will be a ho-hum game.

Or will they be looking ahead to next Wednesday?

Projected W: k-state

6. Tech at UT (7:00p.m.)**1/2

UT has been playing at their opponents’ level lately. If they continue doing so, Bobby Knight might just bring them down a notch in the REAL Standings.

Projected W: UT

–Mark

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