Tough Weekend

[joeD]

I don't know if I've cooled down enough to conversate about Dixon trotting up the court with 8 seconds left ....(AAARRRGHHH).

P. Pressey. No points. No assists. No rebounds. 4 fouls? (Basically). Let's not talk about turnovers.

So tell me again why Dixon (despite the last play) is the 6 th man?

Uh, where was Ratliffe Frank? He belongs ON THE COURT!

Oy.

[ozark trout fisher]

Hey, Dixon made up for it tonight...He got 21 points, and along with Ratliffe was the only one that could make a free throw to save his life (and speaking of Ratliffe, I'm very impressed with how much he has improved on the free-throw line over the course of the season.) Iowa State is a scary team when they get going from the three point line like they did tonight. I think they could be very dangerous in the tournament. I can't be done talking about this game until I mention that loose ball that Steve Moore threw himself on the floor to get. What an effort, exactly the sort of thing that was missing in the first half. He got it to Dixon, who connected on the fast break lay-up and really changed the complexion of the game. Sometimes little things like that can be really important.

So they got the win, and assuming that they don't fall apart at Texas Tech, they'll be going into the Big 12 Tournament with momentum and a real shot at a 1 seed. Things are good.

[joeD]

They have NO shot at a 1 seed.

Syracuse. Kentucky. Duke. North Carolina.

Then: Kansas. Michigan State. Ohio State.

Or: Substitute Kansas and North Carolina.

Maybes: Indiana. Murray State for number 2s.

There's a bigger difference between a 3 and 4 than a 1 and 2.

Things are good.

[ozark trout fisher]

They have NO shot at a 1 seed.

Syracuse. Kentucky. Duke. North Carolina.

Then: Kansas. Michigan State. Ohio State.

Or: Substitute Kansas and North Carolina.

Maybes: Indiana. Murray State for number 2s.

There's a bigger difference between a 3 and 4 than a 1 and 2.

Things are good.

Well, I disagree. Since Duke or North Carolina play each other this weekend, one of them is going to end up with at least one more loss, probably two since there's still the conference tournament. It's very tough to see both of them getting a 1 seed, although there's an excellent chance that one of them will. I will grant that Syracuse and Kentucky are now locks for one seeds, which really leaves that final spot. Michigan State and Ohio State were both looking good for 1 seeds for awhile, but both now have six losses and are pretty close to being completely out of consideration. For either one to get even close, they would really have to impress in the Big 10 tournament.

So in my opinion, the 4th number 1 seed will probably be either Missouri or Kansas. Kansas certainly has the edge right now, with the better conference record and the recent win against us. But if they should lose in the conference tournament (or to a very tough Texas team in their final regular season game), they'll be dropped down to six losses, and once again, it's hard to see a six loss team earning a 1 seed. On the other hand, if Missouri should win the Big 12 tournament (assuming they take care of business at Texas Tech on Saturday) they will be 30-4, probably having beat Kansas 2 out of 3 times, having swept Baylor, and with a whole host of other excellent wins. If that doesn't get you a 1 seed, I don't know what will. Getting there will be difficult though to say the least, and I think anything less would get us a 2 seed.

[stlfisher]

Lot's of options available to Mizzou with respect to seeding. Win the Big 12 tourney and you get a 1 seed. Win at Texas Tech and win a few in the Big 12 tourney but don't win it and you get a #2. Lose at Texas Tech and the first game of the big 12 tourney and you might get a #3. Ohio State and Michigan State look destined for a #2. The way I see it is Kentucky, Syracuse, Duke/Carolina, and Kansas/MU are the available options for #1. SLU needs to avoid an 8 or 9 seed if they can and would do them well to win the A-10 tourney. If Kansas wins out and ends up in St. Louis as a #1 seed I don't think the committe would put Mizzou as a #2 seed in St. Louis. I think Mizzou will end up out West.

[mic]

I'm not to knowledgeable on the seatings. However, I'm pretty sure MO would be better off losing in the Big 12. My reasoning is, if they lose they would most likely get a two seed and play in St. Louis. If they win, they would move into a one seed. I'm pretty sure they can't play in STL as a one.

[ozark trout fisher]

I think we'll know a lot more about seeding after this weekend, when Michigan State and Ohio State have played, and especially after the Duke/North Carolina game. I think that whoever loses the Michigan State/Ohio State game will probably go into the Big 10 tournament needing to at least win a few games to wrap up a two seed, while the other will have a 2 pretty much wrapped up. I think we'll also probably know who our third 1 seed is after the Duke/UNC game. I'm predicting Duke will win that game (as I'll be picking them to win the national championship in my bracket, because who in their right mind bets against Coach K?)

I think that Missouri will have every chance to make a deep run in the tournament. I'll take a wild guess and say we'll get to the Elite 8 this year, although I do think our first Final Four is a real possibility. It really just depends so much on what teams we draw as our opponents and whether they're good match-ups.

And here's to hoping that we don't get really unlucky and have to play K-State in the tournament!

[stlfisher]

I would love to see Mizzou play in St. Louis as a #2 over a #1 elsewhere, but I think that is gonna be tough. If Kansas wins out they should be a #1 in St. Louis. In that case I don't think Mizzou would be a #2 in St. Louis. Some unwriten rule that the committe tries to keep conferance foes out of the same bracket if possible. The tourney also tries to keep teams regional so the best #1 seeds stay close to home. That puts Syracuse, Kentucky, and Kansas in regions close to home. Since there is no dominate team out West this year the 4th #1 seed ends up out West (Carolina or Duke). Then you do the same with the #2 seeds. Mizzou would likely be a highly ranked number two and should end in the midwest, but If KU is a #1 in that bracket Mizzou won't be a #2 in that bracket. With Mizzou being essentially homeless and the furthest west of the #2's they go West.

Now if If KU would lose to a team in the conferance final other than MU and Carolina/Duke don't meet for the ACC championship I could see a possibility of KU retaining a #1 seed, but out West. Then maybe MU ends up as #2 seed in St. Louis.

Off course this can all change with a couple losses from each team....that is why I love this time of year.

[ozark trout fisher]

What a game yesterday. I realize it was only Texas Tech, but 16 for 26 from three point range? That's just not supposed to happen. I really don't think any team in the country that could have survived that kind of shooting. So we finish second place at 14-4, which I think is beyond what any of us could have expected. A lot of years that would have won the conference championship.

Now it just comes down to what we can do in the Big 12 Tournament. Luckily, we won't have to play Kansas State or Baylor to get the the finals game. We'll have to beat Oklahoma State/Texas Tech, and Iowa State/Texas. Any of those teams (except probably Texas Tech) could be dangerous, but I smell an epic Big 12 Championship with Kansas brewing....

[snap]

Haith 3rd in voting for CONFERENCE coach of the year?????.....IMO, more support for sticking it to MIZZOU for bolting to the SEC!!! Here is a guy at the top of the list for NATIONAL coach of the year (according to every broadcaster on every telecast) and only 3rd in the conference!!! I expect this to be a rocky tournament for the tigers with no breaks from the officials coming close to going their way!!!!