Big 12 Beaten Up on Day One
The Big 12 hands down was the best conference this season in college basketball. The ACC might have a title contender or two more, but the bottom of the barrel was atrocious. The Big Ten claimed Wisconsin, while the SEC had the unanimous No. 1 Kentucky Wildcats.
However, all-around top to bottom, the Big 12 was the best in the nation. There were a number of high seeds in the single digits including Iowa State, Baylor, Oklahoma State and Oklahoma trying to stay close to perennial champion Kansas.
The conference tournament could not have been more thrillingly won on a number of comebacks by the Iowa State Cyclones.
Some would have even said take the Cyclones to reach the Final Four, as its penchant for heroics late in games would be what is required in the NCAA Tournament.
With Baylor’s great offensive rebounding the likelihood of being upset was low. The Big 12 was set to have a huge Tournament. NOT!
If you ever needed to be reminded of why this competition is referred to as March Madness, you were reminded quite often the first day of the tournament.
On Thursday, Iowa State the No. 3 seed was defeated by UAB the No. 14 seed. Just an hour later, Baylor another No. 3 seed was defeated by Georgia State another No. 14 seed. That marked the first time in 20 year that two No. 14’s won during the same tournament.
It is hard to decide which of the two upsets was least likely. Iowa State was on a five-game winning streak including wins over Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas despite trailing during those games by 75 total points.
The confidence the Cyclones are known for was misplaced on Thursday and someone found a way to slow down its nearly unstoppable offense.
The Georgia State stepped up and played tough during the first half against Baylor, but early in the second Baylor got things going. However, 13 consecutive points to end the game won it for Georgia State.
Then came the Texas Longhorns. Even though they were an eleven seed, many had picked them to beat Butler a No. 6 seed and move on to Saturday’s round of 32. The Longhorns were able to score all of 48 points and lost 56-48. Coaching decisions will be questioned as will player’s hearts, but the bottom line is Texas is going home early.
The Big 12 was 0-3 for the day, but has four other teams tipping off on Friday of which all are single digit seeds and that could turn things around for the country’s best conference, as Kansas, Oklahoma, West Virginia and Oklahoma State all try to carry on the Big 12 dominance of this season.
