REAL Standings: The We Ames to Please Edition
MIDWEEK RECAP
I came across a retweet this afternoon from a KU fan rejoicing in the “fact” that KU has a two game lead over Mizzou.
Were that this were true in the REAL world. In the REAL world, the Jayhawks are in first place, but by a tenuous half game margin over its arch-rival for more than 100 years and for a few more weeks. This due to the fact that Mizzou has Ames, Waco, Manhattan, and–yes–Stillwater in its past. All places the Jayhawks have yet to visit.
Meanwhile, KU has only Norman, Austin, and Lubbock in its rear view mirror.
Of course, the Jayhawks, as competitors, would prefer zero losses and a daunting schedule to two losses and a softer road out ahead. But a loss in Ames this Saturday, and all bets are off. We will then have a flat-footed tie atop the REAL Standings.
in the meantime, KU enjoys a 1/2 game lead in the REAL Big 12 Standings, thanks to 49 points from two Okie St freshmen in the Cowboys’ 79-72 victory over Mizzou. And Mizzou can take scant comfort in the fact that this was a Road loss, because the team that wins the Big 12 title would be expected to beat Okie St wherever the two teams play.
The saving grace for Mizzou is that Okie St has some impressive young talent and a senior later in Page Keeton, the late Dean at the University of Texas School of Law. All right, this guy only seems that old.
At any rate, if Okie St has come of age, that game could be a test for the Hawks.
Aside from the Stillwater Surprise, the other Midweek contests went as projected: KU outlasted A&M; Texas took down Iowa St in Austin, in the game that nobody saw, either in person or on TV; Baylor downed OU in Norman; and K-State happily accepted its working-bye in Lubbock.
THE TIERS
Tier 1: Baylor, KU, Mizzou
Tier 2: Iowa St, K-State, Texas
Tier 3: Oklahoma, Okie St, Texas A&M
Tier 4: Texas Tech
REAL BIG 12 STANDINGS
1-26-12
1. 15-3
KU (7-0) Projected L’s: at Mizzou, at Baylor
At Risk games: at ISU, at K-State
2. 14.5-3.5
Mizzou (5-2) Projected L’s: at KU
At Risk games: at UT
3. 14-4
Baylor (5-2) Projected L’s: at Mizzou
At Risk games: at UT, at ISU
4. 10-8
K-State (4-3) Projected L’s: at ISU, at Texas, at Baylor, at Mizzou
At Risk games: vs. KU, at A&M
Iowa St (4-3) Projected L’s: at Baylor, at K-State, at Mizzou
At Risk games: vs. KU, at OU, at Okie St, vs. Baylor
6. 9.5-8.5
Texas (3-4) Projected L’s: at Baylor, at KU
At Risk games: vs. Mizzou, at A&M, at OU, at Okie St, vs. Baylor
7. 5.5-12.5
Oklahoma (2-5) Projected L’s: at K-State, at
KU, vs. Mizzou, at ISU, at Baylor, at Texas
At Risk games: vs. ISU, at Tech, vs. Texas
Okie St (3-4) Projected L’s: at A&M, vs. Baylor, at KU,
at Mizzou, at OU, vs. KU, at K-State
At Risk games: vs. ISU, at Tech, vs. Texas
9. 4.5-13.5
Texas A&M (2-5) Projected L’s: vs. Baylor, at K-State, at ISU, vs.
Mizzou, vs. KU, at Okie St, at OU
At Risk games: vs. UT, at Tech, vs. K-State
10 1.5-16.5
Texas Tech (0-7) Projected L’s: at Mizzou, at Texas, at K-State, at KU,
At ISU, vs. Texas, at Baylor, vs. Mizzou
At Risk games: vs. Okie St, vs. OU, vs. A&M
ON THE TUBE
SATURDAY
Texas at Baylor****: (Noon—CBS) (Projected W: Baylor)
Texas is desperate for a nice Road W to strengthen its case for inclusion in the Big Dance. The Fighting Calipari-Lites, however, are despert themselves; they can ill afford another loss at Home. Well worth watching. For an hour, anyway.
Texas Tech at Mizzou *: (12:30p.m.—Big 12 Network) (Projected W: Mizzou)
Projected W for Mizzou? Don’t we have something stronger than “Projected”? “Guaranteed” might not be too strong in this case.
KU at Iowa St****: (1:00p.m.—ESPN) (At-risk Game)
KU’s first opportunity to cut into Mizzou’s “venues already won in” advantage. Now if Royce White will just cooperate by getting into foul trouble and playing only 27 minutes
Oklahoma St at A&M***: (3:00p.m.—Big 12 Network) (Projected W: A&M)
Okie St’s opportunity to validate its W over Mizzou.
Oklahoma at K-State***: (6:00p.m.—Fox Sports) (Projected W: K-State)
Lonnie tries to go Home again.
–Mark
