Winning the Big 12 regular season

[SolterraCyclone]

I see a lot of lamenting/meltdowns over last night’s loss (which is to be expected here). The most common meltdown I’ve noticed is we lost our chance at Big 12 regular season championship.

For the record, I’m not too concerned with last night’s loss. It was our second-hardest game left and we went 2-1 in the brutal 3-game swing, which I’m generally happy with.

But, I’m curious what the age of Fanatics who are really disappointed about the B12 title? I’m in my 30’s and not winning the B12 title is honestly the least of my concerns. Especially in the era of unbalanced schedules. I’m more worried about seeding in the NCAA tourney. I’ve always thought a season is ultimately judged on how you do in the national tourney. But I’m wondering if in the 80’s, 90’s it meant more and the NCAA tourney was a little more deemphasized

I view the conference title more like winning your division in the NFL. A nice feather in your cap, but way down on a team’s list of goals.

 

[2122]

Conf. Champ > Sweet 16
Conf. Champ < Final Four

 

[fsanford]

I see a lot of lamenting/meltdowns over last night’s loss (which is to be expected here). The most common meltdown I’ve noticed is we lost our chance at Big 12 regular season championship.

For the record, I’m not too concerned with last night’s loss. It was our second-hardest game left and we went 2-1 in the brutal 3-game swing, which I’m generally happy with.

But, I’m curious what the age of Fanatics who are really disappointed about the B12 title? I’m in my 30’s and not winning the B12 title is honestly the least of my concerns. Especially in the era of unbalanced schedules. I’m more worried about seeding in the NCAA tourney. I’ve always thought a season is ultimately judged on how you do in the national tourney. But I’m wondering if in the 80’s, 90’s it meant more and the NCAA tourney was a little more deemphasized

I view the conference title more like winning your division in the NFL. A nice feather in your cap, but way down on a team’s list of goals.

They were picked 5th to start the year, they gave it a run. Not over yet, but need help now.

Would have been great to win a conference title. Its been awhile.

Unbalanced schedules do taint titles some though. But still there is no asterisk on the trophy to say unbalanced schedule.

But the team overall has been great and a blast to watch

 

[Big_Sill]

Making second weekend of ncaa (sweet 16) is more important than ANY regular season, big 12, or big 12 tourney outcome.

Those upset about not winning regular season big 12 are correct, because winning the regular season big 12 means we are in fact a 1 seed in NCAA’s and have the best chance at NCAA tourney success.

A 2 seed is not a bad consolation, but it’s not as good as a 1 seed.

I’m not sure we lost a 1 seed last night, lots of hoops left, but we may have lost it.

NCAA tourney success is the only measure the masses care about, whether you like that or not or even if it’s fair.

 

[cycloneworld]

I’ve now repeatedly heard “I don’t care about a regular season conference title” and “I don’t care about the Big 12 Tournament”. To those people, if you are putting the entire season’s specialness into a semi-crapshoot March tournament prepare to be disappointed nearly every single year.

Winning a title and/or conference tournament title is hugely successful for ISU and is almost a nice remembrance of a special season. It’s dangerous to get into the “March or bust” territory - do you really want college basketball turning into CFB where only the playoff matters?

Its pretty easy as a fan to care about all 3 and people that don’t are using it as some weird emotional hedging mechanism.

 

[brycy]

We have had sweet sixteens recently but not a regular season conference championship. Would rather win her conference. Now elite eight and I change my mind.

 

[Trice]

I’ve now repeatedly heard “I don’t care about a regular season conference title” and “I don’t care about the Big 12 Tournament”. To those people, if you are putting the entire season’s specialness into a semi-crapshoot March tournament prepare to be disappointed nearly every single year.

Winning a title and/or conference tournament title is hugely successful for ISU and is almost a nice remembrance of a special season. It’s dangerous to get into the “March or bust” territory - do you really want college basketball turning into CFB where only the playoff matters?

Its pretty easy as a fan to care about all 3 and people that don’t are using it as some weird emotional hedging mechanism.

Yup. The either/or framing of this is really bizarre. Folks, I promise, you don't have to choose. You can win a conference championship AND go far in March. In the same season! It's been done lots of times.

 

[Candide]

I’ve now repeatedly heard “I don’t care about a regular season conference title” and “I don’t care about the Big 12 Tournament”. To those people, if you are putting the entire season’s specialness into a semi-crapshoot March tournament prepare to be disappointed nearly every single year.

Winning a title and/or conference tournament title is hugely successful for ISU and is almost a nice remembrance of a special season. It’s dangerous to get into the “March or bust” territory - do you really want college basketball turning into CFB where only the playoff matters?

Its pretty easy as a fan to care about all 3 and people that don’t are using it as some weird emotional hedging mechanism.

As a fan, I've seen Big 12 regular season championships and several Big 12 tournament championships, but unlike VCU, Loyola, Florida Atlantic, SDSU, Butler and George Mason fans, I've never seen my team in a Final Four.

I care about all of it, but am ready for a little bit more.

 

[cyclones500]

Among things I could say, the "unbalanced schedule" thing is overblown. When ISU won back-to-back regular season titles in 2000 and 2001, Big 12 had "imbalance" (2 vs. teams in division, home and road vs 3 in other division). The primary difference: Everyone knew what the schedule would be every season.

You still might play only home games against 3 "meh" in the other division on 3 road games against the top of that division, while another team might be almost the opposite.

Edit/caveat: There is slight difference I realize less frequency of opponents w/ a 16-team league vs. 12-team, but the distribution uncertainty essentially is the same.

 

[SolarGarlic]

A conference championship is a great accomplishment that would be remembered forever. But it's also not a massive heartbreak that we're not going to win it. I was definitely more upset last night that we got a bunch of attention for being a 1 seed and then immediately gave it up. That said, a 1 seed is still in play, albeit much more difficult needing a win at Arizona.

A regular season conference championship ranks just barely above a Sweet 16 for me.

 

[CYEATHAWK]

Any hardware is good hardware. It doesn't have to be an either or.

 

[cyclones500]

I was definitely more upset last night that we got a bunch of attention for being a 1 seed and then immediately gave it up. That said, a 1 seed is still in play, albeit much more difficult needing a win at Arizona.

The 1-seed potential connects with another element of regular season title: How many 1 seeds have NOT won at least a share of the regular season title, unless a conference has 2 or more teams on 1 line? I'm sure there are examples, but I'm guessing it's infreqnent.

Being a 1 doesn't guarantee anything, obviously but on-paper odds are better than a 2 or 3 of reaching F4 (and by extension challenging for national title). If you're a program attempting to get past the S16 ceiling, any advantage can help, especially over the span of several years.

 

[Inthesystem]

I’ve now repeatedly heard “I don’t care about a regular season conference title” and “I don’t care about the Big 12 Tournament”. To those people, if you are putting the entire season’s specialness into a semi-crapshoot March tournament prepare to be disappointed nearly every single year.

Winning a title and/or conference tournament title is hugely successful for ISU and is almost a nice remembrance of a special season. It’s dangerous to get into the “March or bust” territory - do you really want college basketball turning into CFB where only the playoff matters?

Its pretty easy as a fan to care about all 3 and people that don’t are using it as some weird emotional hedging mechanism.

I agree with this completely. Life is too short to not enjoy the ride.

 

[aeroclone]

It has been 25 years since we have won the regular season. If we are truly one of the top tier hoops teams in the league, we should be able to raise that banner every now and then. Heck, K-State has done it twice since our last one, and we look at them as more of a punchline in this league than a contender.

 

[cycloneworld]

Among things I could say, the "unbalanced schedule" thing is overblown. When ISU won back-to-back regular season titles in 2000 and 2001, Big 12 had "imbalance" (2 vs. teams in division, home and road vs 3 in other division). The primary difference: Everyone knew what the schedule would be every season.

You still might play only home games against 3 "meh" in the other division on 3 road games against the top of that division, while another team might be almost the opposite.

Edit/caveat: There is slight difference I realize less frequency of opponents w/ a 16-team league vs. 12-team, but the distribution uncertainty essentially is the same.

The unbalanced schedule argument is so tired. Like who cares - in 20 years, no one is going to say ISU’s 2026 conference title meant less because we only played Houston and Arizona once.

A regular season conference title is a memory that will last forever, especially at a place like ISU. I can’t believe we have fans (even Chris Williams!) saying we don’t care about conference titles. Like you don’t have to pick, we can do both.

 

[Kettes]

The unbalanced schedule argument is so tired. Like who cares - in 20 years, no one is going to say ISU’s 2026 conference title meant less because we only played Houston and Arizona once.

A regular season conference title is a memory that will last forever, especially at a place like ISU. I can’t believe we have fans (even Chris Williams!) saying we don’t care about conference titles. Like you don’t have to pick, we can do both.

Totally agree with you! Winning the conference matters. Winning the conference tournament matters and how deep you go in the dance matters. You gotta stop listening to the loud minority, here, who persist in telling people how to be a "good" Cyclone fan.

 

[SolterraCyclone]

I’ve now repeatedly heard “I don’t care about a regular season conference title” and “I don’t care about the Big 12 Tournament”. To those people, if you are putting the entire season’s specialness into a semi-crapshoot March tournament prepare to be disappointed nearly every single year.

Winning a title and/or conference tournament title is hugely successful for ISU and is almost a nice remembrance of a special season. It’s dangerous to get into the “March or bust” territory - do you really want college basketball turning into CFB where only the playoff matters?

It’s pretty easy as a fan to care about all 3 and people that don’t are using it as some weird emotional hedging mechanism.

Not emotional hedging. I care as much about the B12 title as I care about the Broncos winning the AFC West this year. Glad we did it, but not something I care about. However, I’m never disappointed if we make a sweet 16.

I look at it this way. Which season do I consider more fondly looking back. 2002, lose to Hampton, or 2022, make a Sweet 16. Personally it’s 2022 all day. So there’s my answer.

 

[FerShizzle]

They lost their chance when they lost to Cincinnati and TCU. Those are games the conference champion doesn’t lose.

 

[CysEyesVet]

We have had sweet sixteens recently but not a regular season conference championship. Would rather win her conference. Now elite eight and I change my mind.

This is exactly where my mind is at too. It’d be nice to look back at this season for having accomplished something meaningful and not a 3rd place or lower finish in the conference or an early out in the NCAA Tourney.

 

[SolterraCyclone]

The unbalanced schedule argument is so tired. Like who cares - in 20 years, no one is going to say ISU’s 2026 conference title meant less because we only played Houston and Arizona once.

A regular season conference title is a memory that will last forever, especially at a place like ISU. I can’t believe we have fans (even Chris Williams!) saying we don’t care about conference titles. Like you don’t have to pick, we can do both.

Just curious, if you don’t mind me asking, how old are you? I’m trying to see if it’s just a generational gap thing. The passion for the conference title.