With UCLA coach Ben Howland and Love's father, Stan Love, along side him, the freshman forward formally announced his decision Thursday afternoon at a campus news conference, choosing to skip his final three college seasons and enter this June's draft as a potential lottery pick, according to several NBA scouts.
Travis Ford isn't interested in Big 12 championships and Sweet 16 appearances.
After three years at UMass rebuilding a program that once reached the Final Four in 1996 under John Calipari, the 38-year-old has even bigger plans now as Oklahoma State's new head coach.
"My goals are to take this Oklahoma State basketball program to a national championship," he said in a news conference Thursday.
When Frank Martin was named Kansas State's new head coach after Bob Huggins left Manhattan, Kan., for his alma mater West Virginia, Wildcat fans weren't sold on a guy whose experience went only as far as an assistant.
But with freshman All-American phenom Michael Beasley punishing opponents on both ends of the floor, Martin rejuvenated a K-State program by becoming just the second rookie coach in school history to lead his team to the NCAA Tournament.
When there first came word of Oklahoma State offering Kansas' Bill Self the head coaching job at his alma mater, there was plenty of gossip going around the media in San Antonio before the Jayhawks ultimately claimed the national championship one day later over Memphis.
And while that buzz continued for a couple days as Self and his team returned home to Lawrence, Kansas fans don't have to worry now about their coach hightailing it to Stillwater, Okla.
That's because on Thursday the national championship-winning coach announced that he won't be leaving the Jayhawks after spending much of the day meeting with athletic director Lew Perkins.
HOUSTON -- They will share an ovesized stage on Sunday afternoon, underneath an enormous retractable roof in front of a mass of 30,000-plus fans and oh yes, a few folks from the little towns of Hickory, N.C., and Moon Township, Pa., will probably tune in.
He felt it was time to walk away from the game that he has given so much to. He felt it was time to step aside from his sideline perch and let another Knight pave the way.
So on Monday night, the 67-year-old coach stepped down from his throne at Texas Tech and handed over a program that he had magnificently turned around in less than six years to his son Pat.
Mike Anderson saw the trend begin to take form when he arrived in Columbia, Mo., back in March of 2006, and he's watched it only continue to grow from that point on.
First it was forward DeMarre Carroll, who was shot in the ankle outside a Columbia nightclub last July serving as a bystander, according to police.
Two days later, it was Kalen Grimes, the school's leading rebounder and starting center last season, who was dismissed from the team after his arrest in St. Louis for hitting a man in the face with the butt of a shotgun.
And then it was Darryl Butterfield, who was arrested on charges of third-degree domestic assault in October for allegedly striking his ex-girlfriend.
But maybe worst of all, Anderson's son, Mike Anderson Jr., served his own suspension from the team last February before being reinstated for a drunk-driving arrest.
So you'd think the rest of Anderson's team would be smarter than to get into any more trouble this season, right?
Oklahoma has had its fair share of ups and downs this season.
Lately it's been more ups than downs with the Sooners riding a five-game winning streak that includes three straight victories over Arkansas, Gonzaga and West Virginia, but on Thursday, head coach Jeff Capel was hit with some bad news when Keith Clark was ruled academically ineligible, leaving him to miss the remainder of the season.
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. -- The coast-to-coast introductory tour is complete. From the West Coast (59-55 at USC) to the South (71-66 at Georgia Tech) to the Northeast (Saturday's 85-60 pounding of Boston College), third-ranked Kansas has let all on-lookers see what it has under its Crimson and Blue hood.
Now the Jayhawks will hunker down in the Midwest for two months and the next time we see Bill Self on the road and out of conference play, it will likely be against some hapless 16-seed on March 20 or 21st. After one more home tune-up with Loyola (Md.) on Tuesday, KU will be a perfect 15-0 and well on its way to a second-straight 30-win season.
This edition of the program Naismith made is not just good. They're great.
When Bob Huggins announced last April that he was leaving Kansas State after one season to take over as head coach at his alma mater West Virginia, question marks soon arose about who would take over the Wildcats this year.
And when athletic director Tim Weiser named former assistant Frank Martin to fill Huggins' shoes, even more questions emerged about whether K-State stud Michael Beasley would honor his letter of intent and head to Manhattan, Kan., for his freshman campaign.
Beasley, though, never swayed in his commitment to the Wildcats, and he's been one of the biggest stories in college basketball today, lighting it up night in and night out against quality competition with 26.3 points and 14.0 rebounds per game.
Kansas State, on the other hand, hasn't had that same kind of success as an entire unit, sitting at 8-3 with losses to George Mason, Oregon and Notre Dame.
But Martin is hoping that things change for the better with the addition of Jamar Samuels and Dominique Sutton, who earned their eligibility for the first time Thursday and could compete for the Wildcats as soon as Saturday against Wagner.
NEW YORK -- Notre Dame used a very effective inside-outside game to defeat Kansas State, 68-59, in the opener of the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden.
Luke Harangody softened up the inside of the Wildcats' defense in the first half. He torched KSU for 15 points and 10 boards, including 11 of the first 13 the Fighting Irish scored. Kansas State tried different guys on him, but the task was mostly left to superstar freshman Michael Beasley. He wasn't up to the physical challenge the 6-foot-8, 250-pound Harangody brought in the first half and allowed him to finish with 19 points and a career-high 14 rebounds.
LOS ANGELES -- So you know all that talk about how the Pac-10 is supposedly the best conference in the country?
Well, the Big 12 has something to say about that now.
At least No. 8 Texas does after stunning No. 2 UCLA with a 63-61 victory Sunday night at Pauley Pavilion in what looked like a NCAA Tournament game on the second day of December.
"I'm happy how we handled the big-time atmosphere," Texas coach Rick Barnes offered after seeing Luc Richard Mbah a Moute miss a game-winning three from the right wing at the buzzer. "We play in a conference like UCLA, so we were ready for this type of atmosphere."
I'm getting a chance to sit and watch Arizona take on No. 4 Kansas at Phogg Allen Fieldhouse in the Pac-10/Big 12 Hardwood Series, and there's a few things I'm learning while this game unfolds.
NEWARK, N.J. -- Maybe Rick Barnes really isn't missing Kevin Durant.
OK, let's not be foolish, but for as much talk as there's been over the last five months about last year's Naismith Player of the Year leaving Austin, Texas, for the bright lights and showtime of the NBA, it's been almost forgotten that Barnes returns four starters, including two of the better guards in the Big 12, this season.
And after the way No. 15 Texas clobbered seventh-ranked Tennessee Saturday night at the brand new Prudential Center with a dominating 97-78 victory in the championship game of the StubHub! Legends Classic, it sure doesn't look like Barnes is missing his former All-American too much right now.
NEW YORK -- So who needs Billy Gillispie after all?
Texas A&M sure doesn't.
Not after the way the 16th-ranked Aggies played Friday night in the NIT Season Tip-off championship against last year's NCAA runner-up Ohio State.
"I wasn't expecting this," Texas A&M coach Mark Turgeon admitted after the Aggies' dominating 70-47 win. "I was expecting a high-scoring game out of them. They're so hard to guard. I thought we did a really good job of taking our defensive game plan and sticking with it."
You sure would be hard-pressed to find a smile on Georgia coach Dennis Felton's face right now.
Not after having to dismiss Takais Brown from the Bulldogs Friday for violating a team policy.
The senior, who averaged 14.2 points per game last season, had already been suspended for the first nine games of the 2007-08 season for disregarding the school's new attendance policy, but now the forward from Flint, Mich., officially won't spend any time in a Georgia uniform this year.
Brown, however, will still be able to finish his degree at Georgia if he chooses to do so.
Missouri coach Mike Anderson knows that the biggest challenge for his team this season is getting better up front.
The Tigers, after all, boasted four senior forwards coming into the fall, and each had played a significant number of minutes during Anderson's first season in Columbia.
But now that number could dwindle to two if Darryl Butterfield doesn't make a return to the team after being arrested for third-degree assault earlier this week.
Just a follow-up to the note from yesterday that concerned Baylor coach Scott Drew (and his two players) leaving Big 12 Media Day early so the coach could be with his wife Kelly as she gave birth to their second child.
An athletic department spokesman confirmed that Scott, Kelly and big sister Mackenzie welcomed "a 7 lb, 14 oz, 20.5 inch baby boy last night. As of this afternoon he was still unnamed."
Just an update on the promised Bobby Knight column: Because of the fine folks at Northworst airlines, I've spent much of the last 16 hours in airports, on planes and in a beyond-cheap motel where even the rats were complaining about the accommodations.
In light of these disturbing hours and the lack of sleep that resulted, I will hold off on the Knight column. But it will be done, so you'll just need to check back over the next few days.
Thanks for your patience and please accept my apologies. Which is more than the airline people would ever say.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- We're not sure how much of a dark horse they can be, having placed fourth in the pre-season coaches' poll, but if there's a team that could legitimately challenge de facto No. 1 Kansas, it very well could be their arch rival, Kansas State.
A healthy Bill Walker -- who played in just six games before suffering a season-ending knee injury -- and the return of seniors Clent Stewart and David Hoskins, along with the addition of Michael Beasley and other heralded freshmen give first-year coach Frank Martin a lot of tools to work with.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Before we get into some of what we gathered during one-on-ones, we can't let the bizarre story out of Syracuse go without some mention.
Months ago it was reported that Mike Hopkins, a long-time Jim Boeheim assistant and former Orange player, would be the next in line to succeed Boeheim when (if) the coach decides to ride off into the sunset. A story from The Associated Press on Tuesday indicated that the deal had been formalized and put in writing.
But now, SU Athletic Director Daryl Gross is denying that a written agreement has been reached and saying his words were taken out of context.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Baylor coach Scott Drew needs to be forgiven for ducking out of the one-on-one interviews a bit early.
His wife Kelly called in the middle of the session to inform him it would be a good idea to get home. She's going into labor. Drew hastily arranged to have his plane and pilot prepared and bolted from the Marriott to the airport.
Interviews Done, Eating To Commence and Then Highlights
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- One-on-one interviews with players and coaches have just about wrapped up from Big 12 Media Day and we were able to stockpile some tidbits from Rick Barnes of Texas, a couple of his players, some Kansas players' thoughts and also some K State players.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The final head coach press conference of the day featured Frank Martin of Kansas State. He's a favorite of our boy Kasiecki, so he immediately becomes a favorite of ours. And with good reason -- he's no nonsense and direct.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- We're in the home stretch of the coaches' pressers and we'll double up again with this entry by featuring Iowa State's Greg McDermott and Oklahoma State's Sean Sutton.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- We got way behind with the Knight festivities, so we'll need to combine -- briefly -- some of the comments from Nebraska's Doc Sadler and Texas A&M's Mark Turgeon.
We also need to sneak in a bathroom break, so if we miss some of the Greg McDermott, Sean Sutton and Frank Martin pressers, we'll try and make up for it when one-on-one time commences.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- As you'd expect, Bobby Knight was worth the price of admission -- and more. Knight addressed just one basketball-related question in his 15 minutes of pure gold, preferring instead to focus on his other passion, baseball.
Much to the chagrin of moderator Peter Irwin who wanted to get basketball questions asked of the coach, Knight led off with an assessment of the ALCS between Cleveland and Boston and proceeded to take almost all baseball questions.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Just heard from my fellow Bostonian, the incomparable Phil Kasiecki, who is on-scene at CAA Media Day for Hang Time. You'll recall that Phil attended a ludicrous amount of college basketball games last year, something like 8,545. Despite the season having not started yet, Phil has most certainly been to a couple of dozen games already. Dude's a legend.
Sophomore guard D.J. Augustin (Texas) nabbed Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year honors and Kansas is the No. 1 team, according to the coaches' poll.
Scott Drew began his press conference as a ball of fire with the most energy of any coach to this point. His enthusiasm was almost enough to wake some of the sleepy heads in the room.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Oklahoma's Jeff Capel tipped off things and a couple of highlights from Capel include...
On junior college transfer guard Omar Leary:
"Omar has to learn how to work hard every day and work at a different level. When you come from a junior college it's a little different."
On the Sooners' main challenge:
"The main thing is guard play, we have to have consistent guard play on both sides of the floor. I thought last year we had a chance but just couldn't close games out (finishing 16-15)."
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Welcome to the second floor of the Marriott Country Club Plaza for Big 12 Media Day. We're just about ready to get started with coach interviews, where Jeff Capel of Oklahoma will tip things off at 8 a.m. CST.
Players are available starting in the 11 a.m. (CST) hour and here's the list of players in attendance. As always, if you have specific, relevant and thoughtful questions to ask of the players, feel free to send them in via the commenting section and we'll do our best to get them answered.
DETROIT -- Just a heads up to everyone to let you know that Hang Time is en route to the Big 12 Conference's media day being held in Kansas City on Wednesday. Questions abound for the league that saw Billy Gillespie ditch Texas A&M for Kentucky and also saw a 33-win Kansas team fall in the Elite Eight last season.
Can Mark Turgeon keep things rolling in College Station without Acie Law? Will ex-Air Force coach Jeff Bzdelik turn Colorado around? Does the loss of Kevin Durant necessarily mean Texas will have to take a step back? And, of course, the eternal question: which one of us media-types will ask the question that ticks off Texas Tech's Bobby Knight the most?
LAWRENCE, Kan. -- The scrimmage is winding down, the highlights? Darrell Arthur for the Crimson squad looked absolutely dominate on both ends. Brady Morningstar and Sherron Collins were the bright spots for the Blue team, providing the offensive firepower. The Crimson prevailed, 44-34, over the Blue.
LAWRENCE, Kan. -- I think Cole Aldrich thinks he is Cole Trickle from "Days of Thunder," and instead of the mantra of rubbin's racin', he thinks its hard fouls in a scrimmage against your teammates is basketball. Sophomore gurad and local product Brady Morningstar for the Blue team has shown good moves driving to the lane, showing that he isn't just a three-point threat. Crimson is still up, leading by 12 at 37-25.
LAWRENCE, Kan. -- Darrell Arthur has just hit a three-pointer, too. I think this sophomore is really ready to step up and replace the loss of Julian Wright to the NBA. Frosh Cole Aldrich of the blue team looks like he is a little lost with the pace of the game -- welcome to D-1 Cole. Sophomore point guard/sparkplug Sherron Collins has just entered for the Blue squad.
It's a good thing since they're down by 15 with the Crimson leading, 29-14.
LAWRENCE, Kan. -- Darrell Arthur shows some tremendous range as the 6-foot-9 forward nails a 15-foot baseline jumper and the steals the ball down the court.
Sasha Kaun shows some impressive low post moves as the Crimson leads, 8-6 -- scratch that Darrell Arthur just blocked an easy lay up keeping it 8-4. Coming down on the other side Mario Chalmers punks freshman center Cole Aldrich of the Blue team by driving and one hand dunking over the 6-foot-10 freshman.
LAWRENCE, Kan. -- Sophomore guard Sherron Collins, generously listed at 5-foot-11, attempted two dunks in warm-ups, nailing one and barely missing the other. Darrell Arthur has been channeling his inner Dominique Wilkins with windmill jams and between the leg dunks.
Just like in baseball where chicks dig the longball, I think they like a good tomahawk dunk, too.
LAWRENCE, Kan. -- I really think I need to go out and pick up a CD with all the music they play at these things, I think it would wake me up more than coffee in the morning.
The players are being introduced by class, as they run though the "Phog," well and actual fog. They have a fog machine going.
LAWRENCE, Kan. -- The most haunting and revered chant in all of college basketball is the Rock Chalk. Prior to the Jayhawks taking the floor for their scrimmage 19,000 people slowly chant "Rock, Chalk, JAYHAWK, KU" three times. It is a chant many teams have heard as they watch the clock slowly run out in a defeat to the Kansas Jayhawks in Allen Fieldhouse.
LAWRENCE, Kan. -- No offense to the KU players, but they are not going to make it on American Idol, unless they're on the reject highlight reel. Freshman Connor Teahen, Tyrel Reed, Chase Buford and Cole Aldrich stumbled awkwardly through Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" and Bon Jovi's "Living on a Prayer." They were quickly upstaged by sophomores Brady Morningstar, Sherron Collins and Darrell Arthur that had surprisingly coordinated dance moves.
LAWRENCE, Kan. -- In keeping with an awards show theme the Men's players arrive to the red carpet in an array of luxury cars, such as Benzs, Corvettes, and Hummers. The seniors are the featured interviews, but were quickly upstaged by former player and fan favorite Michael Lee who after walking down the red carpet entered onto the court and sauntered down to the bench to sit with the coaching staff.
LAWRENCE, Kan. -- A coincedence or strategic move? Recruits Travis Relaford out of Bishop Miege High School in Shawnee Mission, Kan., and twin brothers Marcus and Markieff Morris from Philadelphia have just entered to their prime seats courtside. Just so happens it was right before the dance team began their perfomance, hmmm.
LAWRENCE, Kan. -- As in the tradition with Late Nite at KU, both men's and women's teams present skits or performances to be judged by the coaches. The women's freshmen and sophomores delivered an invigorating step show but were outshined by the juniors and seniors doing their own version of "Stomp."
Either way, it got the crowd primed for the Atlanta Hawks mascot's dunk show, where I think I pulled a groin muscle just watching him flip off the trampoline.
LAWRENCE, Kan. -- If basketball was born in Springfield, Mass., then it definitely grew up in Lawrence, Kan. After opening performances by various dance teams and a recognition of the other athletic teams the night has gotten off to a rousing start.
Recently retired but long time KU Men's basketball broadcaster Max Faulkenstein took the floor to a standing ovation lasting a good minute and half. Faulkenstein took the floor though to introduce one of the truly great figures in University of Kansas athletics, former KU football player and NFL great John Riggins. Riggins gave a short speech about what athletics at Kansas mean to him with thunderous applause by the fans.
We are finishing things up here, as the press is busy putting the last touches on articles in the Media Room as we wrap up coverage of the 2007 Big XII Tournament, won by Kansas today in overtime, 89-84 over Texas.
Post-game was delayed, as everyone stopped to watch the Selection Show here at the Ford Center. The KU press conference was then held after the show was finished.
Here are some post-game quotes following the selection show and game....
1:00 - Augustin for Texas attempts to shoot a 3-pointer...BLOCKED..Rush with the block, KU ball.
57.0 seconds - KU with the ball, trying to run as much clock as possible...Collins finally takes the shot...NO GOOD. Texas rebounds and calls time out. The KU band is rocking the "Oh oh oh" song again.
22.4 seconds - Texas inbounds the ball...Augustin with it...takes it himself...BLOCKED by Darnell Jackson...scramble for the ball...KU recovers...foul called. It's Jackson to the line...first one is GOOD! (85-81 KU)...second one is...GOOOOOOD! (86-81 KU!)
13.2 seconds - Texas sprints down the court...Abrams plants his feet and throws a long-range 3-pointer...GOOD! (86-84 KU)Texas calls timeout in a hurry as every fan in Ford Center is ON IT'S FEET!
8.3 seconds - Robinson gets the ball..fouled by Augustin.
5.3 seconds - Robinson shoots the first...GOOD! and the second...GOOOOOOOOD! 88-84 KU!
Texas runs...throws a prayer..hits the shot clock...this one is OVER!
What an incredible game...Chalmers steps up big late, and we're tied at 79 as we start overtime in OKC. It's the first OT in Big XII Tournament history, and this crowd is going insane. EVERYONE is on their feet, shouting, screaming, whistling, clapping, making all the noise they can.
We knew this game was going to be a good one, but nothing could prepare us for this!!!!!
More to come as OT has just started in OKC, Texas winning the jump ball.
1:01 - KU with the ball, moves upcourt. Chalmers misses a shot, but it goes out of bounds.
44.7 seconds - Ball inbounded, Collins takes what looked like a 3-pointer...GOOD...but the refs say it's only a deuce. The Jayhawks call timeout, with the score 78-76 Texas.
40.1 seconds - Texas gets the ball...expecting Kansas to foul but they don't...what's the deal? STILL not fouling. Finally Winder is fouled...two shots...first one is...NO GOOD. Second one is....GOOD (79-76 Texas). 'Horns call timeout.
21.7 seconds - KU inbounds, hustling up the court. Ball to Chalmers...takes a long 3-pointer...GOOOOOOOD! 79-79! Timeout Texas.
13.8 seconds - Texas ball...inbounds in..passes to Durant, Durant shoots...NO GOOD, rebound...goes to Kansas...Rush hurries, throws a prayer...OFF THE RIM NO GOOD!
Texas has gone on a 10-3 run late in the game, and AJ Abrams might have delievered a final fatal blow to the Jayhawks, hitting a clutch 3-point shot with 1:04 to go to give Texas a 78-74 lead with 1:01 to go.
Durant's got 37 points for Texas...win or lose, he's the MVP. Kansas needs some clutch shooting right now.
Stay tuned for the final minute here at the Ford Center.
This one's going to be decided in the next 2:28. Kansas was up 71-66, but Kevin Durant has five unanswered, and the Horns have tied this thing up at 71-71. Durant now has 35 points for the Horns.
KU loses the ball, Augustin racing down the court...misses the layup, but James is behind him for the finish. Texas now leads again, 73-71. What a barnburner in OKC.
Texas is inching back, thanks to Kansas foul troubles. Mario Chalmers is out with four fouls, and Julian Wright has four fouls as well. It's Kansas by three with four minutes to go....but if KU wants to win, they better do it now. They could run out of players if we go to overtime.
This crowd is electric right now....it's hard to describe. Let's just say these two teams will be ready for March Madness atmospheres, because this place is shaking right now. The noise level is remarkable here at the Ford Center.
Mario Chalmers hit his free throws with 7:51 left, putting the Jayhawks up 61-60, and after Kevin Durant had the ball stolen from him by Julian Wright, Sherron Collins hit two more free throws, and it's Kansas with the lead now, 63-60, in what has been a FANTASTIC game here in Oklahoma City!
The crowd just went crazy, as Mario Chalmers hit a bucket and what they thought would be a plus one situation. However, the refs called a charge on Chalmers. Count the basket, but DJ Augustin gets two free throws. He makes the first....and the second, and it's 65-62 Jayhawks.
Stay tuned folks, this one's going to get crazy!!!!
Think the first KU-Texas game was good? This one might top them all!
Texas took a 60-56 lead on a Kevin Durant jumper with 8:37 to go, but the crowd returned to hysterics when Sherron Collins hit a 3-pointer to cut the lead back down to a point. AJ Abrams missed a jumper on the other end, and Mario Chalmers was fouled going to the hole, putting him at the line when we resume play. It's 60-59 Texas with 7:51 to go.
The KU band is playing the infamous "Oh oh oh oh" song that's so addictive, as the Jayhawks attempt to take the lead for the first time since 4-2 early on in the first half.
The same story seems to unfold as before, only Kansas has trimmed it to a one-point affair, 57-56 with 9:22 to go. Craig Winder just made one of two free throws, so KU can tie it if they score here....Rush's jumper blocked, but Jackson gets the ball, and is called for a player control foul.
Kansas just can't find a way to get over the hump right now. Texas with the ball, up 58-56.
Texas pushed the lead to 51-42, as Kevin Durant hit two free throws (he's got 26 points at the moment), but Kansas continues to fight back, cutting the lead down to 55-52 on a 3-pointer by Sherron Collins, and that's the current score with 11:54 to go in the game.
Kansas is all over the court, fighting like crazy to get back. However, every time they cut the lead to three or four, Texas has an answer, mostly in Durant. There's another problem for the Jayhawks lurking...they have six fouls already, so Texas is one foul away from being in the bonus.
It's Texas ball as we resume play...can Kansas finally get over the hump?
KU carried the momentum going into the second half, but has lost it just as fast. Kevin Durant has yet to score, but his teammates are stepping up better than ever this weekend. AJ Abrams and Damion James have four points apiece, and the Longhorns have pushed their lead to 49-42.
The crowd is back to slient, except for the couple of thousand Texas fans who are going wild. It's obvious that Rick Barnes feared a repeat of what happened in Lawrence, so he told his team to go strong to the hoop to begin this half, and it's surprised the Jayhawks, as Texas has 10 quick points, while the Jayhawks try hard to keep up.
Texas will have Kevin Durant at the line with 15:35 to go.
Texas might have the lead, but it's the KU fans who are up and cheering right now. Down 32-10 with 8:08 to go, the Jayhawks ran off an incredible 24-7 run to end the half, making it 39-34 'Horns at the break.
The run was sparked by various Jayhawks getting hot hands. First it was Chalmers with two baskets in a row, then it was Julian Wright, then it was a 3-point blitzkrieg by Brandon Rush and Sherron Collins. Add in a Darrell Arthur dunk, and you have your run.
Kevin Durant's got 22 points for the Horns, but he didn't score in the last 5:44, as the Kansas man-to-man fought off Texas with knock-aways, and the frustrated Texas team committed several turnovers to end the half.
It'll be a great second half...Texas had the lead, but Kansas has the momentum.
The KU band is playing to a standing crowd of about 14,000 Jayhawk fans, who are rocking the Ford Center as Kansas has found some life. The Jayhawks have just gone on an 11-1 run, cutting the Texas lead to 35-24 with 4:10 to go, and the fans are still on their feet, cheering KU on.
Can it go down to single digits before the half....KU needs to get it down to build some momentum for the second half.
Big XII: Jayhawk Fans Showing Little Pep, Down Big
The KU cheerleaders and Big Jay are out on the floor, and right now, the KU fans, who are the clear majority here today in Oklahoma City, have stayed mostly silent, which has kept this arena to a moderate roar.
It's 32-13 Texas right now....can Kansas come back from this again and get the crowd into it?
Well, 10 points in 10:36 should say enough, but Kevin Durant has outscored the Jayhawks by six, and DJ Augustin's latest jumper has given Texas its biggest lead at 27-10.
Self again has called timeout....one wonders what he's telling his team. Texas is playing an aggressive man-to-man and KU is struggling mightily to break free for open looks. Meanwhile, KU's 2-3 zone is gettling sliced to shreds.
Durant's just hit another 3-pointer...that's 19 for him, and it's 30-10 Longhorns. 8:31 now left to play.
Sitting a couple of seats to my right is Texas AD DeLoss Dodds, who is all smiles right now as his Longhorns hold a 21-8 lead over Kansas with 11:45 to play.
While Durant has 12 points, and still is the dominant force behind the Texas O, it's been a more balanced attack so far. D.J Augustin has stepped up, and even Conno Atchley has a jumper for the Longhorns. This is what Texas was hoping for...a balanced attack to take some pressure of their star.
Right now, Durant's back in the game, having taken a quick breather, and KU is still trying to find some sort of offensive rhythm.
Sitting a couple of seats to my right is Texas AD DeLoss Dodds, who is all smiles right now as his Longhorns hold a 21-8 lead over Kansas with 11:45 to play.
While Durant has 12 points, and still is the dominant force behind the Texas O, it's been a more balanced attack so far. D.J Augustin has stepped up, and even Conno Atchley has a jumper for the Longhorns. This is what Texas was hoping for...a balanced attack to take some pressure of their star.
Right now, Durant's back in the game, having taken a quick breather, and KU is still trying to find some sort of offensive rhythm.
In their previous meeting in Lawrence, Texas jumped out to a huge lead, only to watch KU comeback and win in the second half. Well, we don't know the ending yet, but so far it's been all Texas in the start. A.J. Abrams has hit his first 3-pointer, and KU's cold shooting has helped the Longhorns go on a 14-2 run take a commanding 17-6 lead with 14:27 to go in the first half.
Self just called timeout...he's told his team to slow the game down and keep shooting. Eventually, he thinks the 'Hawks will get over the slump. He better hope so...very soon.
The Big XII Championship is set to go from OKC's Ford Center in a little over 20 minutes...and as KU players warm up in front of me (and with me retrieving a few balls for the Jayhawks), I ventured into the crowd for some game predictions...
The Big XII Championship is set to go from OKC's Ford Center in a little over 20 minutes...and as KU players warm up in front of me (and with me retrieving a few balls for the Jayhawks), I ventured into the crowd for some game predictions...
On Reno Avenue, which is closed for the tournament, there are two huge banners draped across the Cox Convention Center, which is across from the Ford Center. The banners have the updated brackets from both the men's and women's tournaments. Tonight, the men's bracket announces the game we've all been waiting for: #1 Kansas vs. #3 Texas for the Big XII Tournament title.
Kevin Durant is taking the Big XII by storm, and it's just his freshman year. Scoring 26 tonight, he again carried Texas to victory, sending them into the Big XII title game against Kansas tomorrow afternoon.
Texas, thanks to clutch shooting and defense by Kevin Durant, defeated OSU 69-64 this afternoon and advanced to the Big XII Championship for another showdown with Kansas, a team that beat the Longhorns 80-76 just a week ago at Allen Fieldhouse.
Durant collected the rebound off a DJ Augustin miss, hit a 3-pointer with 46 seconds to give Texas the lead, and then Craig Winder stole the ball, giving the 'Horns the ball and control of this game in the last minute.
OSU's comeback has almost come full circle, as Mario Boggan's jumper with 2:02 to go has cut the Longhorn lead to 61-59. The Longhorns miss their next shot, and OSU has the ball, calling timeout with 1:37 to go in the game.
We've got a great finish ahead of us in Oklahoma City! This one looks like it's going to the very end, so I look for Durant and Boggan to start taking control of their teams at this point.
Right now though, we've re-entered Poke-lahoma, as the crowd is rocking the Ford Center with shouts of "ORANGE...POWER!", the cheer of OSU. However...why cheer that today. Orange is a Texas color too.
OSU's comeback has almost come full circle, as Mario Boggan's jumper with 2:02 to go has cut the Longhorn lead to 61-59. The Longhorns miss their next shot, and OSU has the ball, calling timeout with 1:37 to go in the game.
We've got a great finish ahead of us in Oklahoma City! This one looks like it's going to the very end, so I look for Durant and Boggan to start taking control of their teams at this point.
Right now though, we've re-entered Poke-lahoma, as the crowd is rocking the Ford Center with shouts of "ORANGE...POWER!", the cheer of OSU. However...why cheer that today. Orange is a Texas color too.
Well, we've had nothing but runs this half. When we last talked to you, Texas was up 40-37. Since then, Texas went on an 11-4 tear to take its biggest lead of the game at 51-41, and it looked like the Longhorns were going to start pulling away. But the crowd at the Ford Center will not let the Pokes go down so quickly, and spurned on by their support, OSU has mounted a 7-0 run to cut the Horns lead to 51-48 lead with 9:38 to go.
It's going to be another close one here today in Oklahoma City, as the crowd has stood up in a huge roar as the picture of Eddie Sutton has appeared on the Ford Center screen. That's great to see such support for a man who led his alma mater to success on the court.
Oklahoma State scored the first seven points of the game to take a 32-31 lead, then Texas answered with a 7-0 run of their own, taking a 38-32 lead. Right now, another run is starting, with OSU on a 5-2 run to cut the lead to 40-37 for Texas with 14:59 to go.
The Texas band is playing "Deep in the heart of Texas" for the umpteenth time. Believe me, I've heard that song enough. New material...please. We're begging you here.
Kevin Durant is at it again, as he scored six points in an 10-0 Longhorn run, giving Texas a 31-25 lead over Oklahoma State at the half. A controversial foul was called, and AJ Abrams made two free throws with 0.4 seconds left. The Texas fans are whooping it up, while the Oklahoma State fans are sending boos cascading from the rafters, irate at the referees in this game.
Durant has 19 of the Longhorn's 31 points so far, and has dominated the inside. He's simply a one-man machine for Texas, and no one's been able to stop him, let alone slow him down.
We'll be back with stats in a bit. Meanwhile, I'm headed to the media room, where I'm safe from all of this orange.
Big XII: Texas Finds Another Scorer, but State leads
Finally, someone other than Kevin Durant has stepped up offensively for Texas. It's A.J. Abrams, who's scored the last eight points for the Longhorns. Still, only two people scoring for Texas? Something's gotta give eventually.
OSU, thanks in part to the superb play of Mario Boggan, is clinging to a 23-21 lead with 3:50 to go in the first half. You have to love Boggan's play. He 's been fearless this afternoon, unafraid to go head-to-head with Durant and Dexter Pittman (who's listed as 6-10 but NO ONE believes that...he's more like 6-7).
Big XII: Texas Finds Another Scorer, but State leads
Finally, someone other than Kevin Durant has stepped up offensively for Texas. It's A.J. Abrams, who's scored the last eight points for the Longhorns. Still, only two people scoring for Texas? Something's gotta give eventually.
OSU, thanks in part to the superb play of Mario Boggan, is clinging to a 23-21 lead with 3:50 to go in the first half. You have to love Boggan's play. He 's been fearless this afternoon, unafraid to go head-to-head with Durant and Dexter Pittman (who's listed as 6-10 but NO ONE believes that...he's more like 6-7).
Forget calling them Texas anymore. It's better named "Durant and four other guys".
Kevin Durant just drove in from the wing and made a monsterous one-handed slam to cut the OSU lead to 16-13 with 10:11 to play. Durant has ALL 13 points for Texas so far in the game, while Mario Boggan leads the Cowboys with eight points.
Durant has done just about everything for Texas so far offensively. It's as if the other players wearing Texas jerseys are out there just to act as decoys or as decoration. If Durant leaves for the NBA next year, Texas will definitely have a letdown.
Much like last night, Texas has found themselves behind early. Mario Boggan has six quick points, and the Cowboys are up 8-2 with 15:35 to go in the first half. Kevin Durant, who didn't score last night until over 14 minutes into the game, put up the first points of the game, only to have the Cowboys take off to the delight of the huge Cowboy fan base here today.
Texas tested fate once and survived. Believe me though, Oklahoma State is not the team to test fate again, especially with this raucous crowd today at the Ford Center.
In the battle of who can out-orange the other, Oklahoma State and Texas are set to do battle here today at Oklahoma City's Ford Center. The arena is nearly full (I'd go 18,000 as an early estimate), and the Pokes have a HUGE fan advantage, which they'll need to pull off a second straight upset.
The news of Kevin Durant's heroics last night spread like wildfire across OKC, and the Pokes fans responded by booing Kevin Durant as if he was the most evil man alive. Durant will have his hands full, as Texas is playing in about as hostile a post-season environment as they'll face.
We're underway from OKC, with the ball in the hands of Texas.
K-State definitely closed the stats in a lot of areas, but still fell short today, losing to Kansas 67-61.
Some of the key stats...
Rebounds:
Kansas: 34
K-State: 31
Wildcats made up a big margin there, outrebounding KU 23-14 in the second half.
3-point shooting:
Kansas: 5-15 (33%)
K-State: 8-23 (34.8%)
K-State's 2-11 shooting behind the arc in the second half hurt them big time.
Bench scoring:
Kansas: 23
K-State: 2
If you don't have depth, you will most likely lose to Kansas, who plays an eight-man rotation with no one playing over 34 minutes. Three Wildcats (Hoskins, Martin, and Wright) played over 35 minutes today.
So the Jayhawks are in...who's next? We'll find out shortly!
Big XII: The Kings of Kansas - Jayhawks in Big XII Final
Make it three in a row for Kansas, as the Jayhakws advance to the Big XII Championship Game with a 67-61 win over the Kansas State Wildcats. The Jayhawks now are 29-4 on the season, while K-State falls to 22-11 on the season, awaiting their fate on Selection Sunday.
29-4, 14-2 in the conference, a big win over Florida early in the season. If the NCAA is reading this.. GIVE KANSAS A ONE SEED.
With that being said, we'll be back with some post-game information, and set up for the second game of our docket tonight...Texas vs. Oklahoma State, with the winner facing the Kansas Jayhawks.
We've got a timeout with 38.7 seconds to go, and right now the KU and KSU fans are having a shouting match, with Kansas clearly winning the battle.
Meanwhile, Julian Wright has shown that he can be Mr. Clutch for the Jayhawks. With the shot clock running down, Wright hit a HUGE jumper with 1:03 left in the game, giving KU a 62-54 lead, and more importantly, making it a three possession game for KSU to overcome.
K-State's Akeem Wright is at the line shooting two. He makes the first...misses the second, and KU rebounds. Unless Kansas starts missing free throws, it looks like they'll go 3-for-3 against the Wildcats this season.
So far, Sasha Kaun's departure has made a difference, as Kansas State is mounting a final push late in the game. The Wildcats have gone on an 8-0 run in the last 2:51, and Cartier Martin's long 3-pointer with 4:08 to go has cut the Jayhawk lead to just four points, 56-52.
Oklahoma State's JamesOn Curry said last night that it's definitely hard to beat a good team three times in one season, and OSU proved that by toppling Texas A&M last night. Will Kansas be the next victim to a team they swept in the regular season? If Chalmers and company don't start making some shots here, they just might.
KU is at the foul line as we resume play. Darnell Jackson makes the front end of a 1-and-1...and gets the second as well. It's now 58-52 Kansas with 3:50 to play.
Maybe this is the break K-State has been waiting for. Sasha Kaun picked up two quick fouls, and with 9:02 to go in the game, he has to go to the bench with four fouls total. K-State has picked up four points on free throws, and the KU lead is now 53-44 with 7:30 to go.
Can KU still dominate inside with their starting center out of the game? This is what awaits us as play continues from Oklahoma City.
Maybe this rivalry isn't as fierce as one would think. Right now, the KU and KSU pep squads are both out performing a dance together, while their cheerleaders are cheering together, and mascots are...bumping fists?
Wow, talk about a friendly rivalry. Who'd have known?
It's 49-40 KU with 10:56 to go. K-State's made a mini-run, but it's too early to see if that run will last, as KU has the ball and almost immediately draws a foul.
K-State was relying on the perimeter game to keep them in this contest. Mario Chalmers, however, has other plans. Chalmers has scored all eight points for the Jayhawks this half, including two long-range 3-point bombs, giving KU it's biggest lead of the day, 43-31 with 16:21 to go.
The KU fans are on their feet, clapping and chanting, sensing that this could be the run that seals their third straight win over K-State this season. K-State's Bob Huggins has his team huddled closely, as he's waving his arms inside, coaching his players as hard as possible, trying to get them to fight back before it's too late.
Kansas State's got the ball as we resume play...but it's all Kansas to start this half.
The last 10 minutes belonged mostly to Kansas, as they went on a 19-9 run to take a 35-28 lead into the half. However, K-State might've picked up a little momentum going to the locker room, as Akeem Wright got the ball off a steal and dunked it home as the buzzer sounded.
Right now, the Rock Chalk Dancers are performing for KU. They're performing to John Mellencamp's version of "Wild Night" (another good song by the Jayhawk crew), and they end up doing ok, getting some applause from their fans. They're followed by KSU's "Classy Cats", who look as if our friend David Scott helped them pick out their attire. Wearing very short, purple tops and black pants, the Cats dance to what can best be described as a techno mix. I give this round a tie...but Scotty, you'd prolly LOVE this K-State group.
Kansas State isn't letting Kansas run away from them, but with 3:45 left to go in the first half, the Jayhawks have their biggest lead, 30-24, on a vicious dunk by Darrell Arthur. KU's doing a good job of getting the ball inside to their big guys lately, as the Jayhawks have scored eight straight points in the paint, with Julian Wright scoring two of those on one of the meanest two-hand dunks you'll see. He's scored six points in the game so far.
K-State has the ball and are moving upcourt as we resume play.
The momentum in this game has swung in favor of the Kansas Jayhawks and Mario Chalmers. Chalmers, a 6-1 sophomore from Anchorage, Alaska (That's right, Alaska!) has six unanswered points and has put KU on top 22-19.
The KU band is performing a real upbeat number where the fans chant "Oh oh oh oh" after each line of the song. It's really addictive...even some people in the media are tapping their feet in front of me as the song is being played.
We've got 7:59 to go in the first half, and it's KU ball after the Wildcats threw it away on their last possession.
A few cries of "Beak 'Em!" have echoed through the Ford Center, as KU, like good teams do, has charged back into the game. Sherron Collins hit a 3-pointer moments after the timeout, and Brandon Rush added a quick bucket of his own to make it a 16-14 KSU lead with 11:51 to go.
The KSU fans are still rocking, but the KU fans have sprung to life with the resurgance of their ballclub. The Jayhawks have the ball right now, trying to tie this thing up.
Maybe Bob Huggins knew his team was hot, and that's why he was so relaxed during warm-ups. K-State, on the red hot 3-point shooting of Cartier Martin and Lance Harris, has pushed their lead to 16-9 with 13:57 to go, forcing Bill Self to call timeout and re-evaluate things for his team.
It's been the State fans that have been rocking the house so far, as the boys in black and purple are playing great basketball. Let's see if KU can step up and match KSU's energy.
It's been back and forth, with two contrasting styles so far during the game. Kansas is charging straight inside on the Wildcats and getting the garbage points in the paint, while K-State is relying heaving on the perimeter attack, as every time they've gone inside, they've turned the ball over or had their shots blocked.
Cartier Martin's got five quick points for KSU so far, and they've got the 8-7 lead at the first media timeout.
WEAK TAUNT OF THE DAY: A KSU fan, who I'm guessing in his his mid 30s, has been screaming "Scoooooreboard" at KU fans since the 3-2 mark. Are you kidding me? That's really weak to be taunting this early.
Call me patriotic, but K-State playing "In the USSR" just doesn't win me over too much. Kansas, however, has played "Twist and Shout", followed by the 80s Classic "Come On, Eileen". How can you go wrong with 80s music?
Well, if you play Air Supply....so make that how can you go wrong with GOOD 80s music?
15 minutes from tipoff here in OKC, as both teams are warming up on the court. Kansas looks really relaxed, while K-State looks mostly serious except for Bob Huggins, who is stretching and looking quite calm on the floor.
Welcome back to Oklahoma City's Ford Center, where we are 20 minutes away from beginning the semifinal rounds of the 2007 Big XII Tournament!
We had high drama yesterday, as Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State and Texas managed to prevail, getting one step closer to the automatic invite to the Big Dance. We're getting ready for the first matchup, featuring two teams from the Sunflower State: Kansas and Kansas State.
During the post-game conference, over and over again, Coach Rick Barnes and his players were asked how on Earth the Longhorns were able to come back...
What we thought could've been the biggest story to come out of OKC this week turned out to be just another Texas comeback. The Longhorns, thanks to a huge half by Kevin Durant, charged back and pulled a miraculous 74-69 win over the Baylor Bears.
It seemed as if what we thought could happen did. Baylor shot everything they had in that first half, and when they ran of steam, they had nothing left to stop the powerful Longhorn attack.
So it'll be Texas and Oklahoma State tomorrow night here at the Ford Center.
We'll have our nightly wrap-ups shortly, as we've completed Day 3 here in Oklahoma City.
The dream is fading fast for Baylor, as Craig Winder's lay-up just gave Texas its first lead since 2-0. Winder was fouled on the play as well, but missed the free throw. Texas grabbed the rebound and called timeout with 1:46 to go. It's Longhorn ball, up 67-66.
Baylor's got to dig deep if they want to pull the miracle now.
Things just seem to be going the way of the 'Horns in the second half.
Craig Winder's layup with 3:10 left in the game has tied it at 65. The Longhorn fans are screaming and jumping up and down, while the Baylor fans sit quietly in their seats...very nervous about this last 2:50.
Drama once again is unfolding here at the Ford Center.
Baylor's got to score points...NOW. Durant now has 29 for the game, 24 for the half, and the Bears lead 64-61 with 6:58 to go in the game. The crowd is on its feet, urging the Bears to hold on for what would be the biggest upset of the week...and what would also be a more attractive opponent for Oklahoma State.
Baylor is running out of gas...and Kevin Durant has assumed contol of the game. Scoring 21 of Texas's 29 points this half, he's cut the Baylor lead to 60-54 with just 9:45 left in the game.
Baylor's unable to put their pressure defense on Texas, mostly because they can't hit a shot right now to save their lives, and Texas is making a comeback. Kevin Durant now has 20 points for the 'Horns, and his latest 3-pointer has cut the Baylor lead to 56-46 with 11:42 to go.
Baylor needs a quick run to finish off the pesky 'Horns, who are finding their shooting touch in a big way right now. The Texas fans have come to life, and that's bad news for everyone else in the arena. Fans from Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State can be spotted in the crowd, and all of those fans are rooting against Texas right now.
Baylor's unable to put their pressure defense on Texas, mostly because they can't hit a shot right now to save their lives, and Texas is making a comeback. Kevin Durant now has 20 points for the 'Horns, and his latest 3-pointer has cut the Baylor lead to 56-46 with 11:42 to go.
Baylor needs a quick run to finish off the pesky 'Horns, who are finding their shooting touch in a big way right now. The Texas fans have come to life, and that's bad news for everyone else in the arena. Fans from Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State can be spotted in the crowd, and all of those fans are rooting against Texas right now.
Big XII: Durant Roars to Life, but BU still up big
Baylor pushed their lead to 48-28 with 17:06 to go in the game, and then took Mamadou Diene out of the game. That's when Kevin Durant woke up and tried to spark a Texas rally. Durant has seven points in the first four minutes of this half, giving him 12 for the game, but Baylor is still up big, 50-33, with 15:53 to go.
Texas has definitely slowed the game down, but not enough to keep the Bears at bay and make a comeback.
No one in the arena can believe it, and probably Baylor Coach Scott Drew can't believe it either, but his Bears have dominated #2 seed Texas from the start, and at the half, it's an 18-point Baylor lead, 43-25.
Leading the way for the Bears is Curtis Jerells with 13 points, and you have to give credit to Mamadou Diene, the Baylor center who has taken control of the paint on both sides of the ball.
Kevin Durant ends the half with five points. Three of those were free throws, and his one basket came on a follow-up shot down low with 35.7 seconds left in the first half. Needless to say, Diene has owned him for the first 20 minutes.
Can Baylor keep it up? Can Texas recover, or will we have an even bigger upset tonight in Oklahoma City?
Stay tuned to CSTV.com, as we continue live coverage of the 2007 Big XII Tournament!
Kevin Durant finally is on the board, hitting one of two free throws with 5:55 to go. He now has one point in 16 minutes of action.
Texas cut the lead to 34-21, but Baylor has brought it back up to 18, as we're at the final media timeout of the half. Durant will go to the free throw line when play resumes, with the Bears up 39-21 on the Longhorns.
It's become a blowout, but not the way anyone in this arena expected it to be. Baylor, the #11 seed in the tournament, is taking it hard to Texas, leading 34-16 with 7:24 left. That's right: BAYLOR BY EIGHTEEN.
Want another shocker? Here's Kevin Durant's line so far.... 12 minutes played, 0-1 shooting, 0 points.
Think other teams are noticing what this up-tempo attack is doing to the Longhorns???
I don't know if Baylor can keep this up, but this is certainly the story of the night...as Texas fans are sitting in their seats, completely stunned at what they've just seen, while the BU fans are partying like it's 1999.
It'll be Texas ball when we resume play here, with Baylor WAY out in front.
It's become a blowout, but not the way anyone in this arena expected it to be. Baylor, the #11 seed in the tournament, is taking it hard to Texas, leading 34-16 with 7:24 left. That's right: BAYLOR BY EIGHTEEN.
Want another shocker? Here's Kevin Durant's line so far.... 12 minutes played, 0-1 shooting, 0 points.
Think other teams are noticing what this up-tempo attack is doing to the Longhorns???
I don't know if Baylor can keep this up, but this is certainly the story of the night...as Texas fans are sitting in their seats, completely stunned at what they've just seen, while the BU fans are partying like it's 1999.
It'll be Texas ball when we resume play here, with Baylor WAY out in front.
Right now, Curtis Jerrells has been the hottest shooter of the night. He's got 10 points in just over eight minutes of play, and Baylor's got a 19-14 lead over Texas.
The Baylor band is playing "Wayward Son," a song that a lot of other bands are playing. For some reason, this song doesn't bother me at all, no matter how many times it's been played. I guess that's from watching Happy Gilmore an awful lot. Oh yes, only the classics for yours truly here.
11:50 to go in the first half, and in a high-scoring game so far, it's Baylor with the lead.
Could this be the night of the upset in Oklahoma City?
Baylor sure hopes so, and they've started red hot, jumping to a 10-4 lead with 15:48 to go in the first half. The run has been keyed by an extreme up-tempo style of play by the Bears, similar to the style they ran last night against Missouri. Aaron Bruce has hit two 3-pointers early to spark the Bears on offense, while the Bears have applied a half-court press on Texas that has surprised them. Kevin Durant hasn't shot the ball yet, but he's had the ball stolen from him by Tweety Carter.
The majority of the crowd, still OSU fans who have stuck around for the nightcap, are mostly rooting hard for Baylor right now. So far, they've got to like what they've seen.
OSU, riding a newfound wave of confidence and a huge fan base that cheered them on like crazy, pulled the first major upset of the Big XII Tournament, beating Texas A&M 57-56 on a lay-up by Mario Boggan with 11.6 seconds left. Here's some of the quotes from after the game.
1:04 - A&M up 56-55 and with the ball... Law dribbles upcourt, drives in the paint, and passs to Kavaliauskas...misses the shot. There's a struggle for the ball and OSU recovers and calls timeout with 21.3 seconds to go.
It's OSU's last timeout..Aggies have 3, so if there's a foul, expect heavy icing.
11.5 - Bogan makes a lay-up...OSU has the lead, 57-56.
11.5 - A&M hurries up the court...Carter shoots...misses, rebound to the Aggies, Kavalisuskas shoots...not there...ball is loose. A&M can't get it.
A&M just took the lead on a 3-pointer by Josh Carter, and JamesOn Curry was just called for a charge with 1:04 to go, giving A&M the ball with the narrowest of leads, 56-55.
We asked for drama, and we've got a big helping of it now, as the OSU cheerleaders are on the court, trying to keep the Cowboy faithful revved up and going for this last minute of basketball.
It's going to be wild here in Oklahoma City! How fun IS this??!!!
This place is by far the loudest it's been all week, as Oklahoma State has taken it's first lead of the second half. JamesOn Curry, who's been hiding in the weeds for most of the game, hit a clutch 3-pointer to give the Cowboys a 55-53 lead with 3:15 to go.
It's as if this place has exploded in orange. If you're seeing it, it's jumping up and down, waving, screaming, and hoping this run never ends for the Cowboys.
Can A&M rally? We'll find out, as we're now under three minutes to go!
David Monds has stepped it up for the Cowboys as of late. Monds has the last four Cowboy points, nine for the game, and OSU has cut the Texas A&M lead to 48-44 with 7:44 to go in the game. On the last play, Dominique Kirk was called for a player control foul, sending an already standing crowd into hysteria and giving OSU the ball when play resumes.
Could this be the run OSU has been waiting for? They've got to feel more confident than ever before, given that they're already in the 40s with time to spare, and that they haven't let the Aggies pull away from them.
Curry hits a jumper, and this crowd's so loud I can't hear myself think...48-46 Aggies with 7:10 to go!
We're in a very heated Ford Center right now, as Texas A&M is now holding on to a five point lead, 41-36. However, a huge question has come up for Billy Gillispie...with three fouls, and 11:33 remaining, do you keep Acie Law on the court or not?
The refs are catching it from the thousands of OSU fans, who are irate over four quick fouls called on the Cowboys. With 16:34 to go, Acie Law appeared to slip on the court and fall backwards. However, the referees called a foul against the Pokes on the play, sending the OSU asst. coaches to their feet screaming, along with anyone else in the building wearing orange (cause Texas fans don't want A&M winning either), as Sean Sutton and his bench looked on with shocked expressions, saying nothing.
Maybe it'll spark the Cowboys though. They need it, as A&M has extended their lead to 33-26 with 15:36 to go. It hasn't been much of a run for the Aggies, but more of a drought for the Cowboys, whose only points this half have come on two free throws by Marcus Dove.
Very close stats between Oklahoma State and Texas A&M, in what's been a very close game. OSU's hit 10 field goals, while A&M has nine. A&M leads in rebounds, 17-16, while A&M has 7 turnovers to OSU's 6.
Close stats, close game. What else do you want? It sure beats the two blowouts from earlier today!
I ran into Doc Sadler just now, who's Nebraska's head coach. He's here to cheer on the Aggies, as his longtime best friend is Billy Gillispie. More impressive to me, Sadler remembered on the spot who I was and where I worked (though the CSTV shirt I have on is a clear giveaway).
A&M draws first blood in the second half, which just now got underway. 30-24 Aggies.
We've found ourselves in quite the dogfight, as A&M leads Oklahoma State 28-24 at the half. The Aggies have been paced by Jones and Carter, while the Pokes offense has been balanced amongst a bunch of players. Terrell Harris leads OSU though with seven points.
When your best player is down, someone has to step up. For Texas A&M, that player is Joseph Jones, who's got 11 points already in the first half, and his latest 3-pointer has given the Aggies the lead back, 25-22. Acie Law's been struggling on offense; in fact he's only got four points, and missed the front end of a one-and-one. However, he's still tough on defense, getting steals and setting his teammates up for shots.
Just now, Josh Carter has drained a 3-pointer from near the NBA line, making it 28-22. Carter's got eight points so far in the game.
The Ford Center crowd is as raucous as it's been since the first game this morning, as OSU is playing about as well as I've seen them play in a long time. They've taken the ball out of Acie Law's hands, and once again it's paid off. OSU is in the midst of an 8-2 run, and they've got the ball and a 17-15 lead with 7:16 to go in the first half.
The key this time has been defense. The Aggies are having trouble under the Pokes, who are playing a stifling man-to-man defense. Twice already in this game, Texas A&M has failed to get a shot off in time, something the Aggies rarely do.
The crowd (I'm guessing around 16,500) is back on its feet, as the Pokes have the ball and are moving upcourt.
Down five early, OSU needed to jump back into the game, as A&M can take a five point lead and make it double digits before you can blink your eyes. The Pokes responded with lay-ups by Byron Eaton and Marcus Dove, cutting the Aggie lead to 12-11. It's 13-11 now, as A&M's Dominique Kirk hit one of two free throws, and we're halfway through the first half here in OKC.
Once Acie Law begins to score, it's like waking up a hibernating bear. You know once the bear's awake, it's going to start hurting you, and that's what Law is doing to OSU. In a span of just under two minutes, Law scored five points in a 7-2 Aggie run, and A&M has a 12-7 lead with 12:10 to go.
OSU better find a way to stop Law, and score some points on the other end, or this could get away from them, much like their two previous matchups this year.
We've had more blocks and steals by both teams than points, but Terrel Harris's 3-pointer off the board has given Oklahoma State the early 5-3 lead with 15:07 to go in the opening half.
So far, OSU is doing exactly what they need to do to win this game. The pace is frantic, and although they're making slip-ups, they're forcing a lot of turnovers from the Aggies and are frustrating them with the tempo that's being set early on. No doubt Billy Gillispie will want this game slowed down in a major way. When the game is this fast, it takes the ball out of Acie Law's hands more, and that's the LAST thing A&M wants.
The atmosphere is electric tonight, as OSU fans are yelling with all they've got. I love watching these four crazy college kids with sombreros and orange body paint...they look insane...but they definitely add to the flavor that is this tournament.
A&M has just tied it with two free throws from Acie Law...we've got 14:05 to go.
With all the orange-clad Cowboy fans in attendance tonight, we're now officially in Poke-lahoma, as Pistol Pete is at halfcourt, leading the cheers for the Cowboys as they prepare to take the court for their showdown with Billy Gillispie's Texas A&M Aggies.
We're going to have an in-state border war, as Kansas and Kansas State will face each other for a third time tomorrow, thanks to KSU's 66-45 win over Texas Tech. The teams are shaking hands, except for Knight, who shook the hands of Huggins and his assistants and then stalked out of the arena. No doubt there will be some paint coming off the walls in the Ford Center shortly.
The crowd is exiting rapidly out of the Ford Center, as the only ones staying to watch this are us media and the legions of purple, who are cheering wildly during this last media timeout over their 64-43 lead.
Bob Knight looks defeated in a big way. Even when the refs called a controversial foul, Knight got up and walked down the sideline, but didn't utter a word. Is this the bizarro Knight or what?
There's 3:40 to go in this one...looks like we'll have a showdown of the Kansas schools tomorrow.
K-State continues to shred the nets, while Texas Tech misses lay-ups and short jumpers...badly.
It's all Wildcats now with 5:54 to go, as they lead the Red Raiders 58-39. I just don't see much energy in the Raiders right now. It seemed that, except for Jackson, that this team really was out of sync and didn't feel like showing up.
I will say this though...KSU needs to SERIOUSLY improve their mascot design. While most every other school dresses the mascot from head to toe, KSU just uses a wildcat head and a K-State jersey, with the human arms and legs completely visible.
That, my friends, is sad. But K-State's performance on the court has not been.
Cartier Martin just drove down the lane for a lay-up plus one, giving the Wildcats their biggest lead at 61-39. Man oh man, do I not want to be on that bus going back to Lubbock.
It's starting to get a little ugly in Oklahoma City, and Bob Knight has called timeout with 10:22 to go in the game, with Kansas State now up 50-36 on his Texas Tech Red Raiders.
Cartier Martin has hit a pair of 3-pointers, and Lance Harris just added one of his own that triggered the timeout call. Harris has eight points already in the half, and has 15 for the game. Martin has 11 for K-State.
Jarrious Jackson, held quiet at the start of the half, has scored the last two buckets for Tech, and he now leads all scorers with 21 points.
Both teams were strugglling again offensively to start the half, but K-State has found it's shooting touch again, and have gone on an 9-4 run since the half started to lead Texas Tech 42-30.
I'm still trying to figure out though why Bob Knight isn't up and barking orders at his players. He's still sitting stoically on the bench, as if he has no clue as to what he can tell his players.
The Wildcats have gone on a 9-3 run over the last two minutes, and David Hoskins's lay-up with 4:13 to go has given Kansas State its biggest lead of the game, 28-23.
Now it's Bob Knight who's up out of his seat, yelling at his players to hustle...well, let's just say hustle a LOT more. K-State is beating the Red Raiders down the court as a team, and it's a lack of hustle that has Knight furious on the Tech sideline.
Tech is at the line as we resume play. Jarrious Jackson goes for points #17 and #18. He misses his first free throw...but makes the second, and K-State leads 28-24 with 3:18 to go in the half. Jackson now has 17 of Tech's 24 points.
Every time K-State gets close to the lead, or takes it, Jarrious Jackson answers for the Red Raiders. Jackson has 16 points in 14 minutes for Texas Tech, including the Raiders' last 11 points, and Tech leads 23-22 because of #22.
Meanwhile, Huggins is yelling some more...really he doesn't look too well...does he have the flu? Maybe it was something he ate.
"Every time...EVERY TIME they cram it on us," yelled Huggins at his players, noting Tech's immediate collapse defense around the paint.
Raiders are clinging to the lead with five minutes to go.
Let's not count out the OTHER school in Kansas when it comes to fan support here in OKC. Although the KU fans have mostly left the arena, they've been replaced by a huge contingent of purple-clad Cat Backers. If I had to guess the size of the crowd for this game...I'd go with something around 11,000.
The first four minutes have gone by, and Kansas State only has a free throw by David Hoskins to their credit, as Tech holds the early lead at 5-1.
This is the "Battle of the Bobs" as Bob Knight and Bob Huggins square off against each other here in OKC. Knight has sat in his chair and watched the action very carefully, not saying much, while Huggins has been pacing the court, screaming at his players to go inside and quit trying to shoot the three.
"You had a lay-up there!!!!," screamed Huggins at Clent Stewart, after Stewart missed a 3-pointer and Tech received the ball from under their basket.
The defense is strong, but the offense is weaker than wet tissue paper, as Tech continues to lead K-State 5-1 with 14:30 to go.
During the post-game press conference, I asked Kansas Coach Bill Self just what he said at halftime that got his team fired up to play the second half that they did.
During the post-game press conference, I asked Kansas Coach Bill Self just what he said at halftime that got his team fired up to play the second half that they did.
Big XII: Kansas Cruises, Oklahoma Goes Down the Street
You really can't say OU's going home...more like down the road a bit.
Kansas totally dominated the second half for what turned out to be an impressive 64-47 win over the Sooners. It was a terrific performance in the second half for Brandon Rush, who shredded the Sooners with 11 second-half points, several steals (I have 3 listed for the half), and quite a few assists (no count on that one).
Oklahoma didn't quit, which was respectable, but it was obvious to everyone in the arena that Kansas was the more talented team, and although it took them over 20 minutes to finally prove it, they did the job and advance to the semifinals.
We're less than 30 minutes away from Game 2 between Texas Tech and Kansas State, so stay with CSTV.com as we continue coverage here from OKC's Ford Center.
It was a questionable first half for the Kansas Jayhawks, but I don't think anyone in college basketball could beat Kansas in the second half of this game. The Jayhawks have put on an impressive performance, completely dominating Oklahoma. With 6:59 to go in the game, they've already scored as many points as they did in the first half (28), and they've held OU to just nine this half. Nine points in 13 minutes...now THAT is defense.
It's about time for the subs here in OKC...Kansas is putting this one to bed.
The Ford Center is rocking right now, as Kansas has taken complete control of this game.
With 12:06 to go, Brandon Rush hit his second free throw, putting KU up 42-29...which was followed by Brandon Rush stealing the ball just after the inbounds pass and feeding it to Julian Wright for a MONSTER two-handed dunk that shook the boards and sent the KU fans into mass bedlam. OU then tried to race upcourt, but Rush stole the ball AGAIN, this time from David Godbold, and raced all alone for a one-handed power slam to send this place into new levels of deafening.
It's ALL Kansas right now, as they've gone on an 18-3 run since halftime. 46-29 KU with 11:32 to go.
Kansas continued to bang inside, challenging Longar Longar on the defensive end. Longar only has one foul, but suddenly seems intimidated by Sasha Kaun, who's tearing him up in the paint right now. OU finally put defensive pressure inside to help Longar, and the Jayhawks promptly found Brandon Rush all alone for a 3-pointer.
It's 40-29 Jayhawks with 12:21 to go, as Kansas continues to play high-caliber basketball in the second half.
Bill Self must have lit a fire in his boys at the half, because Kansas has come out on a mission to start this half. Charging inside and daring OU to defend their drives, the Jayhawks have scored six unanswered in the last two minutes, and now have a 34-27 lead on the Sooners.
OU did have one big stop though. As KU's Darnell Jackson drove to the hoop for what looked to be a power slam, OU's Taylor Griffin jumped up and body-slammed Jackson with a powerful block. He got all ball...no foul to it, and it had to have been one of more impressive blocks this year...you'll see it in highlights if you didn't see it live.
Bill Self must have lit a fire in his boys at the half, because Kansas has come out on a mission to start this half. Charging inside and daring OU to defend their drives, the Jayhawks have scored six unanswered in the last two minutes, and now have a 34-27 lead on the Sooners.
OU did have one big stop though. As KU's Darnell Jackson drove to the hoop for what looked to be a power slam, OU's Taylor Griffin jumped up and body-slammed Jackson with a powerful block. He got all ball...no foul to it, and it had to have been one of more impressive blocks this year...you'll see it in highlights if you didn't see it live.
With 15 seconds to go, Russell Robinson grabbed the rebound off an OU miss and begin to hustle upcourt, but OU's Bobby Maze knocked the ball loose, and as both fought for the ball, it sailed in the air before landing in the hands of Mario Chalmers. Chalmers then tried to pass it, and David Godbold tipped the ball, sending it further up as Darrell Arthur and Nate Carter fought for it. The ball ended up in Carter's possession, who threw it to Godbold, who found Bobby Maze, who promptly had the ball knocked out by Robinson with just over five seconds to go.
So basically, for 10 seconds, the ball never hit the floor betwen the Jayhawks and Sooners.
It's been a close game, but Kansas holds a 28-26 lead over Oklahoma at the half.
With 15 seconds to go, Russell Robinson grabbed the rebound off an OU miss and begin to hustle upcourt, but OU's Bobby Maze knocked the ball loose, and as both fought for the ball, it sailed in the air before landing in the hands of Mario Chalmers. Chalmers then tried to pass it, and David Godbold tipped the ball, sending it further up as Darrell Arthur and Nate Carter fought for it. The ball ended up in Carter's possession, who threw it to Godbold, who found Bobby Maze, who promptly had the ball knocked out by Robinson with just over five seconds to go.
So basically, for 10 seconds, the ball never hit the floor betwen the Jayhawks and Sooners.
It's been a close game, but Kansas holds a 28-26 lead over Oklahoma at the half.
Kansas is already getting tired of Longar "Longar" Longar...who has OU's last seven points. He's had two vicious dunks, and on the last Sooner possession, got the rebound, re-positioned himself against Julian Wright, and hooked in a basket while drawing the foul. His free throw gave OU a 17-14 lead, but Brandon Rush has tied it with a 3-pointer of his own with 6:51 to go.
KU leads the Sooners 11-8 right now with 11:38 to go...and here's some quick thoughts.
* - OU is doing a great job guarding the perimeter against KU so far. KU hasn't had an open look at a 3-pointer all game, and the one time they shot the ball, Sherron Collins, under heavy pressure, threw up an airball.
* - KU is winning the inside, and that's why they are ahead. On offense, they're taking turns driving in the paint, and Darrell Arthur, as well as Russell Robinson, managed to cut through to the lane with ease.
* - KU is playing an aggressive 2-3, and it's led to a lot of slip-ups by the Sooners, but it's also led to some serious dunks by Longar Longar (the kid so nice they named him twice), and Tony Crocker.
It's been a game with a serious March Madness feel, as the crowd has been on its feet and cheering almost every second of these first four minutes. Kansas, thanks in part to some great hustle by Julian Wright, has the early 7-4 lead on Oklahoma with 16:01 to go. Wright has scored his four points by outrunning OU's David Godbold down the court for open shots.
The biggest roar of the game so far though came when KU's Sasha Kaun ripped the ball out of Longar Longar's hands, getting a huge cheer from the KU contingent and angry screams for a foul by the Sooner fans.
The teams have taken the floor...and the crowd has really shown up today...i'm guessing we have around 14,000 for this one...and 11,000 of them are Jayhawk fans. The tourney attendance would go WAY down if KU falls anytime before the final.
You gotta love this day though... KU goes for a national top seed, Durant takes the floor for Texas, A&M tries to make a final push for glory, and Huggins v. Knight in the game following this one. Does it get any better?
Yes, since today, I've been assigned a seat at MIDCOURT! OHHHHHHHH YEAH!
We're two minutes to tip-off....what a day this is going to be in OKC!
Big XII: Welcome Back to Oklahoma City..or is it Kansas City?
We are back for the Day 2 of the Big XII Itournament, as four huge games are set to take place today. First on the docket is Oklahoma and Kansas, and despite OU's campus being just 18 miles from the Ford Center, Kansas blue dominates the arena, as the Jayhawk fans have absolutely taken over here in Oklahoma City.
Again, my apologies to the viewing public, as I was across the street covering the OU women's triumph over Baylor. Here's the lowdown on the Baylor team that won tonight, as Scott Drew's club ousted Missouri in impressive fashion, winning 97-83.
The reports might be a little delayed, as I'm currently at the Cox Convention Center right now, but here's the quick scoop on the first game of the evening session.
Despite an inspired -point performance from CU's Dominique Washington, Texas Tech took control of the game early and never looked back, advancing to the second round in what is the final game for Buffaloes Coach Ricardo Patton. Patton ends on a very sour note, finishing his last season at Boulder with a mark of 7-20.
Meanwhile, Knight had to love the play of Martin Zeno, who was all over the court making plays on both ends for the Raiders. Colorado even tried a box-and-one at one point to stop Zeno, but no one could stop him, or the Raiders today.
We'll be back with more from Oklahoma City. I'm heading over across the street to the Cox Convention Center, but we'll keep updating the events here at the Ford Center as the 2007 Big XII Tournament rolls on.
Tech has slowed the game down, and the shots aren't falling anymore for Colorado.
Martin Zeno just buried a long 3-pointer as the shot clock ran out, giving Tech a commanding 76-67 lead with 1:46 to go.
Then again, just as I typed that, Dominique Coleman hits two free throws, and now they've just gotten the ball back from the Raiders. CU has called timeout with 1:41 to go.
Should Tech hold on, CU would be the first team completely out of Oklahoma City, as their women's team fell to Texas A&M yesterday.
Jeryml Jackson-Wilson just drove down the paint and threw up a beautiful left-handed lay-up to cut the lead to 76-71, and Bobby Knight has called timeout now with 1:23 left in this one.
We've had the first player foul out in the Big XII Tournament, as Colorado's Kal Bay committed his fifth foul with 7:24 to play in the game.
CU has been in foul trouble since 10 minutes into the first half. This could really damage their chances at completing the comeback run that they started. It's already slipping a little, as Tech has pushed their lead back up to 63-56.
Well, well...looks like we might have some drama after all.
The Buffaloes have scored six unanswered, and Dominique Coleman's steal and lay-up has cut the Tech lead to 58-55 with 9:20 to go, getting the small band of CU fans on its feet for the first time all game.
The question now is...can Colorado get over the hump? If Tech continues to play sloppy, they might. Tech's got to slow the game down...their transition is leading to unforced turnovers, not points.
We've talked about how this game has lacked a spark, or a really huge run. One big reason is that the refs are definitely not letting the teams play. Everything is being called here this afternoon.
We're not even two minutes into the second half, and we've had six fouls called already: 3 for Texas Tech, 3 for Colorado. What's worse is that the one time a foul should've been called, when Zeno drew a charge with 18:13 to go, he gets injured on the play and no foul is called!
Tech now leads CU 47-37, as both teams are trading baskets so far this half.
Big XII: Halftime Feature - Talking With OU's Dance Squad
At Hang Time, we try to give you unique angles of not only the game, but the atmosphere and the people that help create it, and as a sportswriter, we're always looking to talk to anyone and everyone that's part of the tournament experience. So, I'm sitting on press row before the first game started, and the OU dance squad was standing near press row, having just gone over last second touches to their routines before their basketball team took the floor. Two dancers were standing right in front of me, and were nice enough to give me a glimpse into their thoughts on the tournament.
We've reached halftime in what's been a very quiet first half, as Texas Tech leads Colorado 41-31. Really, Tech hasn't made many huge runs..a 9-2 run early in the first half was the only big Raider run, and this game has lacked the sparks of the previous matuchup today in Oklahoma City.
Bobby Knight has yet to get up from his chair, much less yell at his players. He hasn't needed to though, as Tech leads 20-13, having played a solid game and totally dominating the inside.
Of course, it's easy to control the paint and play aggressive when you've committed 3 fouls, while your opponent put you in the double bonus in the first 10 minutes of the game.
The crowd is watching intently, as a good chunk of the crowd from earlier has stayed to watch this game. After all, it's tournament basketball...why would you want to be anywhere else? However, it's a crowd that seems pretty lifeless on both sides. Colorado, though down, isn't playing too bad. They're keeping up with Tech so far, but what puzzles me is that there is NO life on that bench. What's the deal? This is a second season...show some energy!
We've got 7:50 left to go, and Tech now leads in a football score, 21-14.
We've had a lot of streaky players in the Big XII men's and women's tournaments, and OU's Nate Carter joined the streak club earlier today, as he scored 12 straight points for the Sooners. Now, we've got our newest member in Tech's Martin Zeno, who's hit all three of his shots from 3-point range, and with 13:48 to go, has outscored Colorado 9-7, while Tech leads the game 12-7.
STAT OF THE GAME: 9 Colorado fouls in the first seven minutes. Ouch.
We've had a lot of streaky players in the Big XII men's and women's tournaments, and OU's Nate Carter joined the streak club earlier today, as he scored 12 straight points for the Sooners. Now, we've got our newest member in Tech's Martin Zeno, who's hit all three of his shots from 3-point range, and with 13:48 to go, has outscored Colorado 9-7, while Tech leads the game 12-7.
STAT OF THE GAME: 9 Colorado fouls in the first seven minutes. Ouch.
Texas Tech and Colorado have taken the floor for the second game today at the Big XII Tournament here at Oklahoma City's Ford Center. The Raiders are the #5 seed, with a 20-11 overall mark and a 9-7 conference record. Colorado, the #12 seed, is 7-19 on the year, 3-13 in the Big XII.
This could possibly be the last game for CU Coach Ricardo Patton, who announced his resignation at the end of year just before the opening game of the season. Patton's team has taken its lumps, one of them being a 95-74 beating at the hands of this Tech team.
Tech, of course, is led by Bob Knight, who seeks to add to his record win count as a head coach. Led by Martin Zeno and Jarrius Jackson, the Red Raiders have had their share of ups and downs, but have won their last three games coming into this one.
The first game is in the books, and in a close battle between #8 and #9 teams, it's the #9 Sooners who have prevailed over Iowa State today in Oklahoma City, 68-63.
Nate Carter's lay-up, followed by a huge 3-pointer from David Godbold with 2:33 left, have given the Sooners their current 60-56 lead as we've just gone under one minute to play. OU picked up the ball on a jump ball...and it looks like the Sooners will hang on, as long as they make their free throws.
Speaking of which, Godbold is at the line now. He makes the first...but misses the second, and a HUGE rebound for the Sooners.
Looks like the Cyclones will be the first victim today in Oklahoma City, as Godbold is urging the crowd to get on its feet.
Iowa State's women have brought plenty of drama to the Big XII Women's Tournament, and now their men are following suit. Corey McIntosh's one-handed roller through the lane has given Iowa State its first lead, 56-55, with 4:33 to go in the contest.
It's now become a noise battle in the Ford Center, as the OU fans are clapping and yelling to their fight song, while ISU's fans are chanting "GO...CYCLONES" back and forth with their band. This place is deafening right now.
Iowa State had the ball with a chance to tie the game for the first time. However, Bobby Maze knocked the ball away, losing it out of bounds, but diving head first into the scorer's table, drawing a standing ovation from the Sooner fans, who need something to get revved about since the recent Cyclone rally.
It's paid off so far. ISU was called for a 3-second violation, and then Maze made a free throw on the other end, and OU now is up 3, 55-52, with 5:08 to go in the game and the Sooner crowd back into it.
Well, Prague, Czech Republic if you mean geographically. But I'm talking about this game. Hubalek, who was 0 for everything in the first half and was getting pushed around by the OU front line, has awakened to score eight points and dish out three assists (from my notes), and the Cyclones are in this game in a big way because of it.
ISU's band is playing "Roll Out the Barrel", and their fans are loving every minute of it. Even the OU fans are singing along.
Taylor's 3-pointer just made it 52-50 Oklahoma with 7:40 to go. What seemed to be a relatively easy game for the Sooners has turned into a barnburner in Oklahoma City. But hey, that's what March Madness is all about.
Don't look now, but here comes Iowa State. The Cyclones are on a 12-3 run over the last four minutes, and Mike Taylor's 3-pointer just cut the OU lead to 42-37.
Iowa State's transition attack is working for them. Their team speed is finally showing a little, and OU needs to slow the game down and resume the tempo that had had at the start. Otherwise, the momentum has clearly swung to the boys from Ames. The ISU crowd is rocking the Ford Center, and the OU fans are now standing up, trying to urge their team on.
The loudest fans though? Three Iowa State students, who are not only loud in yelling, but in attire, wearing bright yellow sombreros with their faces painted the same color (with some red trim).
It's 44-39 now, as the two teams have traded baskets. OU's last bucket, a jumper by Bobby Maze, was their first points in 4:25. We've got 11:51 to go here in Oklahoma City.
Iowa State was holding the ball for the last shot, as there was just a five second difference between the shot clock and game clock. However, the Cyclones lost control of the ball in the last few seconds, and the Sooners stole it just as the shot clock expired. Racing down the court, the ball found its way to a wide open Bobby Maze, who drained a 3-pointer at the buzzer, giving OU a 35-23 halftime lead.
CSTV.com's Jerry Palm reported a 3-0 run by Villanova that was made by free throws over in the Big East tournament.
Well Jerry, we see that run here in OKC and raise it a few.
It's been a free throw parade for the Sooners in the last five minutes. While Iowa State hasn't scored since the 9:25 mark, OU has gone on a 9-0 run...all on free throws.
It's now 27-17 OU with 3:45 to go in the half...the home crowd now giving a standing ovation, as they've realized the same thing that I have. It's been an OU run that really didn't seem like one.
It's 21-17 Sooners with 7:54 to go, but the Sooner lead should be a LOT more.
The reason? Twice, the Sooners have fouled Iowa State players in the act of shooting a 3-pointer, and ISU has hit 5 of those 6 free throws, keeping them in the game.
It's bad enough to do that once in a game, but two times in the first 12 minutes? Jeff Capel had better hope that was nerves from his players. One thing stands true in tourney time: the teams who play the smartest usually have the most success.
Carter ended up scoring 12 in a row for the Sooners by the way...Taylor Griffin hit two free throws to end the streak.
Nate Carter has been unstoppable so far for Oklahoma, scoring the last nine points for the Sooners and keeping Iowa State from climbing out of the early hole they dug themselves into. ISU must find a way to stop Carter, or it could start becoming a long night.
I will give credit though to Cyclone guard Mike Taylor, who unleashed a MONSTER one-handed dunk on the Sooners...giving the Iowa State fans something to cheer about.
Carter's got the last 11 points now for OU, and they lead it 18-12 with 10:35 to go in the half.
OU has shown up ready to play early, as they've jumped to a 9-2 lead with 16:55 to play in the first half. Tony Crocker opened with the game's first five points, and then Nate Carter and Tony Griffin scored on turnovers that led to easy buckets.
ISU better wake up fast....the Sooner crowd is rocking early, and even the OSU fans are applauding the hot start by their in-state rival.
We are 30 minutes away from the first game of the 2007 Big 12 Tournament, held this year at the Ford Center in downtown Oklahoma City! The fans are filing in as we speak for today's first game, which features the 8th-seeded Iowa State Cyclones and the 9th-seeded Oklahoma Sooners.
HARTFORD - An absolutely spectacular inter-conference, mid-January tilt resulted in a frenzied finish and a skin-of-their teeth 77-73 win for Indiana.
Uconn fought from behind all game and couldn’t ultimately overcome the free throw shooting (20 of 21) or 3-point shooting of Indiana (9 of 18 from beyond the arc).
. . .At 2:10 a foul call on the Hoosiers was charged erroneously to Wilmont, then re-credited to the proper fouler DJ White. Wilmont proceeded to come down and nailed a deep three to make it 69-67. He followed on the next possession with a running jumper in the lane to put IU up 71-70.
The rebounding edge was 38-21 in UConn’s favor, they also had 46 points in the paint (to 20 for IU) and registered a shutout on second chance points, 20-0.
. . . IU shot 50 percent form 3-point land 9 of 18 and UConn had just five attempts from beyond the arc. IU was also 20 of 21 from the line (UC was 17 of 28)
You can't ask for a bigger, or better group of coaches as what we've seen today here in Oklahoma City. Knight, Huggins, Self, Gillispie...some of today's greatest basketball minds are sitting in the Big XII this season.
This year, as in many years past, Coach Sutton took to the podium to represent Oklahoma State. However, this year, instead of the legendary Eddie Sutton, it was his son, Sean, who has now grabbed the reins of the Cowboy program.
How about this for a 72-hour span? You're the coach at UTEP, you fly to Lincoln to interview for the Nebraksa job, you fly back to El Paso, get a call, accept the offer, fly BACK to Lincoln, conduct your first press conference as Nebraska head coach, and then get on a plane and fly to Australia to recruit a center?
Mike Anderson is known for being part of the famed "40 Minutes of Hell" style of basketball that led Arkansas to three Final Four trips and a national title in 1994. He took that style to UAB and took the Blazer program to new heights, including a stunning win over Kentucky in the NCAA tournament. Now, he takes his frenzied style to Missouri, where he sees a program that can become a perennial power.
To no one's surprise, Kansas is back on top in the minds of Big XII coaches. For the fans, there is no other place Jayhawk basketball should be. As for head coach Bill Self, he thinks the chances of KU winning aren't that bad.
With all the controversy that has surrounded Baylor basketball in the last several years, Scott Drew has managed to not only whether the storm that his predecessors left behind, but also to right the ship, as Baylor is now ranked higher than it's ever been in this year's Big XII Pre-Season poll.
Big XII: Bob Knight - Part II - The Season Outlook
Turning towards this season, Bob Knight's expectations for Texas Tech are unwavering. They've got to play smart, they've got to play tough, and they've got to win games.
The six coaches from the morning session were all gathered outside. Only one coach, though, had a media throng going at least four deep. Bob Knight, love him or hate him, can draw a crowd. Relaxing in his chair, Knight discussed his feelings on coaching, as well as the state of basketball.
They say to make a big entrance, show up "fashionably late". If that's true, Bob Huggins made quite an entrance, strolling into the Exhibit Hall with the media at full attention.
As he stepped up to the podium for his first Media Days, Jeff Capel had no smile on his face. The no-nonsense Oklahoma coach means business, and he let that be known the instant he began to speak.
We are set to go here at the Cox Convention Center in downtown Oklahoma City, home of this year's Big XII Media Days. The media are stling in as the moderator has taken the mic to explain the format.
