Welcome to the Big 12 Buzz! Things are going to look a little different during the offseason but that doesn’t mean I can’t share what’s on my mind this week in the Big 12.
The Big 12 Tournament Court
With the women’s tournament underway, it means we finally got our first look at the new LED glass court. And boy is it something alright. It’s bad enough the conference hyped it up to no end like it was the second coming of Christ, but at the end of the day, it’s a floor. Outside of passing out on them in my younger days, I wouldn’t know how it feels to fall on one.
As much as they hype up changing the floor with a touch of a button, it does irritate me that the conference spent millions of dollars and still decides to roll out with one of the ugliest court designs of all time.
I have already said that this thing looks like an off-brand Gucci bag or a truck toolbox and somehow, the colors have gotten worse. On top of that, there was no mid-court line which seems pretty important in the game of basketball.
If you can truly change the court so easily then why do we have to continuously look at this eye sore all the damn time. Can we please get a lighter color? For the love of God, please change the court to literally anything else. I’d rather see the court full of Jerome Tang pictures than the ugly design they have now.
Speaking of Mr. Tang, I saw that Windex was named the official glass cleaning partner for the Big 12. Clearly, the basketball coaching thing didn’t work out but as we all know, he does love a clean court. Make the call Brett Yormark.
The Big 12 Bubble
Yes, I know I did this last week and guess what? This is my bit and I can do whatever the hell I want here. Well, as long as Chris Williams and Jake Brend don’t get tired of me which at some point, they likely will. But for now, I have my freedom to say whatever I want here within reason of course.
With the regular season coming to a close and selection Sunday just a little over a week away, the bubble shifts and moves faster than the Busch Lights out of my fridge and into my hands. Due to the bubble being soft as high quality toilet paper, it gives several Big 12 teams opportunities to get in.
Starting with UCF who has had a week from hell. After beating BYU, the Knights lost back-to-back games against Baylor and Oklahoma State which I am not sure how that’s possible. While they are closer to a ten seed than a nine at this point, their game against West Virginia this weekend is huge. If they lose that one and fall on their face in Kansas City, then they could be on the outside looking in.
As for TCU, they have greatly increased their chances of getting in after knocking off Tech in Lubbock. Sitting at 10-7 in conference play, a win over Cincy at home should easily punch their ticket to the big dance no matter what happens in Kansas City.
Now we move on to almost heaven, West Virginia, Blue Ridge Mountains, ok that’s enough of John Denver for one article. After beating BYU, somehow the Mountaineers lost to Kansas State. That alone is bad enough but thanks to the bubble, they do have about as well of a chance as I do hitting on a fifty dollar scratcher even though they are under .500 in Big 12 play.
Last but certainly not least is Cincinnati. Wes Miller has brought this team back from the dead as the Bearcats are a win away from winning their tenth Big 12 game of the season. This team has won six of their last seven games, which is the best streak in the conference right now. If they can beat TCU, then they have a legitimate argument to get in.
Hilton South
Since this will be the last time I get a chance to write to you great Iowa State folks before the men’s Big 12 tournament, I wanted to show some love and appreciation to y’all.
Next week many of you will be heading down to Kansas City, also known as Hilton South. The power and light district will be flooded with plenty of Cyclone fans like it is every single year.
Drinks will be consumed and Kansas City knows that when Iowa State fans come to down, stock up and just when you think you have enough booze, buy more. It’s going to be a bad day to be a beer down in Hilton South and I just hope that the team makes one of those classic runs.
While I have never been to Kansas City for the basketball tournament, I know many people that have told me it’s one of the best sporting experiences out there. One of these days I will pack my bags and take my ass up there but until then, have a cold one, two or three for me. Cheers!
