Vibe Variation
We finished off the reboot of the Big 12 yesterday. The new-world-for-the-moment that was created on Tuesday when Kansas fell to Oklahoma, cementing the fact that their stunning league title streak would end at fourteen. That left the two games in Manhattan and Ames Saturday to create the new look top of the league.
Texas Tech proved their toughness in the early afternoon as they shrugged off an eight-point deficit late in the first half, sparred for a few minutes before grabbing the lead for good early in the second half, and then kept Iowa State at bay despite repeated rallies by the Cyclones. Jarret Culver just may have cinched up conference player-of- the year honors with his 31-point effort. He made a three-pointer with just under sixteen minutes left to give the Red Raiders the lead for good, and made multiple big plays down the stretch to will his club into clinching at least a tie for the crown.
Texas Tech was picked for seventh this season, so they were not expected to be a story, Kansas State was. But the ‘Cats weaved far more tension and melodrama into the course of their campaign than they might have wanted. Early season lackluster play then was compounded by nagging injuries to Dean Wade, Kamau Stokes and Cartier Diarra. But K-State played its best basketball when adversity struck, and was on the pole position in the league much of the year. Tech caught them by winning their last nine league games, and technically passed them ninety minutes before KSU would tip it off against the Sooners.
But for all the drama that has been part of the story for Bruce Weber’s club, it only took a few minutes to make sure that there would not be nervous stomachs and gnawed fingernails against OU at Bramledge Coliseum. The elements that create KSU at their best were all on display as they started to pull away from the Sooners midway through the first half. An aggressive Dean Wade, a steady Barry Brown, Kamau Stokes knocking down some threes, and a little something from the bench. And of course, their defense.
For the twelfth time in their eighteen league games, the ‘Cats allowed 57 or less points in a game. Only one time, ONE, did an opponent crack seventy. It’s been stated here before, the defensive displays by K-State are pure effort and coaching. This is not the most athletic team, nor does it have a great rim protector, and yet, possession after possession, game after game, opponents struggle to get theirs.
By early in the second half, the result was obvious. Kansas State and Texas Tech would share the title, the ‘Cats would get the top seed, and the party was on in Manhattan. The three core seniors exited with over a minute left to glorious adulation. The fans crowed “Bruuuuuuce” at their coach loudly, the seat once hot now delightfully chilly.
I well imagine sharing with Texas Tech with the Jayhawks vanquished created a far more enthusiastic reaction to a co-title than if Kansas had caught one or both of the champs. Both the Red Raiders and the Wildcats had trophies, and the Jayhawks did not, and everybody but their own fans enjoy seeing the bully get his comeuppance.
Kansas had the rarest of afternoons for them, a game that didn’t matter at all, and not because they already had a trophy in their case. The good part of the fans day was observing a senior day without any senior players, but with four freshman who started, none of whom seem likely to head to the pros, rolling Baylor. They will be the ones charged with starting a new streak next season, but they have things on their plate to try and work on now.
The way they looked yesterday would create warranted optimism. David McCormack has surged a bit late in the season and looked like a legit inside presence. That allows Dedrick Lawson to operate freely and he made his own final statement for POY with his standard issue 23 and 14. All other jobs were done at least pretty well, and Kansas finished unbeaten at home. Of course, KU will not have the Phog on their side any more this season, and they have been pretty meek away from their home.
This has all created a different type of atmosphere for the Big 12 tournament, and a very interesting one. Ordinarily Kansas fans come in droves, hang out at the Power and Light, enjoy the party and their already secured regular season title, not really caring much if the Jayhawks lose. It’s always been a house money setup, with the real attention at what lies ahead in the Big Dance. With expectations lowered for that phase of the season, getting some kind of hardware now might seem cooler.
While Kansas seemingly would be energized for the event, it is a bit difficult to judge the motivation and approach for the co-champs. For Kansas State, there are multiple questions. While Dean Wade has looked pretty springy the last three games, would playing him three straight days on a still compromised foot be a good plan? How do you handle Cartier Diarra, who is said to be about ready, but hasn’t played yet. Kamau Stokes still isn’t practicing much, although he never looked as bothered as Wade did intermittently, but would some rest benefit him?
Seeding for the NCAA’s might play into this. Texas Tech is pretty healthy right now, so sitting players seems not an issue. Does Texas Tech need at least a win or two to protect what looks like a number three seed, and a path through Tulsa to Kansas City. Could K-State theoretically steal that? Is there possibly a chance that if KU won the thing and beat Tech in the semis and K-State in the finals that they could actually end up getting a shot to return to Sprint Center?
The weather looks kind of dodgy, the Iowa State collapse might lessen that usually robust fan base, and KU fans might not buy into what we have spoken about for the Jayhawks. But there are far more positives than negatives to make this the annual fantastic event in Kansas City it always is. And there are many more talking points and potential arguments to be had than usual as well.
Let’s do this!!!!