Four Big XII teams are started their road to Omaha on Friday, competing in the 64-team Regional brackets.

Oklahoma was scheduled to take on Appalachian State in Charlottesville, Virginia but was delayed due to severe weather in the area. The entire Charlottesville Regional was postponed till Saturday. As reported on Ride Schooner, Ride on Friday: Army, Virginia and Appalachian State are in the bracket with them.

Big XII Championship winner Missouri, is in the Tuscon Regional. They took on No. 1 Arizona late Friday night and was pounded by Arizona. Mizzou will play in the elimination game on Sunday against New Mexico State.  Also in their bracket is Louisville and New Mexico State.

Texas A&M is hosting the College Station Regional and took on No. 4 seeded Dayton. The Aggies beat Dayton 4-1, with Michael Wacha pitching 7 shutout innings.  Future conference mate, TCU is also in the bracket and took on the No. 3 seeded Ole Miss, who are also the SEC champions. The Horned Frogs lost to the Rebels, 6-2.

Baylor is hosting the Waco Regional where they took on No. 4 Oral Roberts. In a shocker, Oral Roberts defeated Baylor 4-2,  snapping the Bears 22-game home field winning streak. DBU and UT-Arlington are in the same bracket. DBU shut out UTA, 10-0 on Friday.So Baylor will take on UTA next.

If you’re into basketball and were in front of a television or computer screen today, you weren’t disappointed. Unless you happen to be a Missouri or Texas fan. That other loud boom you heard today was Duke falling..hard.

Texas played in an awful game against Cincinnati. They had absolutely no momentum until the second half, and almost made a comeback. Was way too little, way too late.

Missouri. Oh Missouri. The team everyone was hanging their hat on. Missouri got bounced by No. 15 seed Norfolk State. No more madness for the Tigers and they contributed to everyone’s brackets going boom, early on; that later went to Duke.

No surprise, Kansas beat Detroit and will face Purdue on Sunday.

Day three will be a challenge for first set of Big XII teams:

We have No. 1 Kentucky taking on No. 8 Iowa State, tipping at 6:45 PM CST.

No. 1 Syracuse will face No. 8 Kansas State at 11:15 PM CST.

No. 3 Baylor will take on former conference foe, Colorado at 7:40 PM CST.

The way this tournament has been going so far, it is all up for grabs. Baylor has the most legit shot at winning this one, and you can’t count out Kansas State. Iowa State unfortunately may not be so lucky against Kentucky.

Upsets galore this evening!

For the first time since 2001, a #2 seed went down to a #15 seed when Norfolk State beat Missouri this afternoon. This was only the fifth time ever that this anomaly occurred.

Oh, but it doesn’t end there. As if one huge upset wasn’t enough, #15 Lehigh went ahead and upset # 2 Duke to log the sixth instance of this type of upset ever happening. Both Duke and Missouri were angry that they got the shaft for the #1 seed (granted, Missouri more audibly than Duke), and both of them went down in the first round.

Those two upsets were the big news, but two more upsets quietly occurred at the same time this evening: # 13 Ohio also took down #4 Michigan, 65-60, and #10 Purdue beat #7 St. Mary’s, 72-69.

Though there was a close call yesterday with #16 UNC-Asheville almost upsetting #1 Syracuse, this type of upset still hasn’t happened, but today isn’t over just yet. Will #1 Michigan State feel the pressure while playing #16 LIU- Brooklyn?

Your bracket might be obliterated, but are you having fun? Madness has now officially begun.

11-seed NC State upset 6-seed San Diego State

The day started off slowly, but with NC State and Norfolk State providing some exciting upsets, March Madness just got bracket-busting good.

Last night, #11 Colorado beat #6 UNLV, and that game, along with #12 VCU over #5 Wichita State, brought out the only upsets from the first day of Madness. It seemed like if this was the year you decided to be bold, your bracket isn’t looking so good.

The day began with #11 Texas facing off with #6 Cincinnati in the East Region. It looked like Cincy was going to have an easy go of it, leading 31-17 at the half. Texas must have heard a great speech in the locker room, because they shot much better in the second and tied the game up 52-52 with 3:30 to go. Despite the comeback, they couldn’t make it happen, and Cincy will move on to play Florida State on Sunday.

Up next, #11 North Carolina State gave #6 San Diego State a run for their money the entire game. SD State had a slight lead in the first, but NC State got back in there and took over the lead before halftime. By the end, the Aztecs ran out of gas and NC State got the one and only upset so far of the day, winning 79-65.

#9 Alabama kept it close with #8 Creighton from the start, and it looked like they might pull off the win. Alabama had a 10-point lead four minutes into the second half, but let it slip away quickly.  A Doug McDermott gave the Bluejay a 51-50 lead with just under 6 minutes to go in the game, and it was all birdies for the remainder.

Andrew Steele of the Crimson Tide made a layup to put them within 1 point with about 19 seconds to go. He then fouled Josh Jones, who missed two free throws, giving the Tide a chance for the win with just 9 seconds to go. Creighton had a foul to give, and used it.

Then, much to the confusion of many, coach Anthony Grant called a timeout for Alabama with 2.4 seconds to go. That gave the Tide just  seconds to get a shot off, which they did not. Josh Jones thought he was fouled on his final attempt, but the call never came, and the Bluejays got the win, 58-57. McDermott finished off with a double-double, making 16 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Not an upset, but certainly madness worthy. Creighton will play UNC Sunday.

As for #7 Florida vs. #10 Virginia, this was hardly even a game. Virginia was most certainly a bubble team, and played like one. The Cavaliers showed a little life at the beginning, but once the Gators took the lead with about 6 minutes left in the first half, they just kept going. Florida never slowed up and beat Virginia 71-45, thanks in part to the 14 points and 11 rebounds in the double-double effort from Bradley Beal. The Gators will play Norfolk State on Sunday.

The Bonnies were close, but not close enough.

#14 St. Bonaventure, led by Andrew Nicholson, was oh-so-close to an upset, and led for most of the game over #3 Florida State. The Bonnies led by as many as 10 points in the first, but FSU stopped kidding around and started playing in the second.

A Bernard James dunk by the Seminoles with under 7 minutes to go in the game tied everything up 52-52, and then Florida State kept scoring while St. Bonaventure did not. A 3 from Demitrius Conger (so there is another player on the team aside from Nicholson) put them within 3 points with 30 seconds to go, but the Bonnies couldn’t pull the trigger. The Seminoles survived a scare, 66-63, and will play Cincy on Sunday.

Next up, #3 Georgetown took on #14 Belmont in the Midwest Region. Both teams tend to make early exits as of late, which is more embarrassing for Georgetown than it is for Belmont. However, this wouldn’t be the year that the Belmont Bruins get to go to the second round (they’ve never done it before). Jason Clark’s 21 points helped give the Hoyas a 74-59 win over Belmont. They’ll face NC State on Sunday.

The No. 1 seed in the in the Midwest North Carolina followed Kentucky’s example, rather than Syracuse, and didn’t let #16 Vermont anywhere near a win. Four guys were in double digits, and Tyler Zeller had 17 points and 15 rebounds in the 77 to 58 win. UNC will play Creighton Sunday.

The last game before the break was a doozy, and had people yelling upset throughout. #15 Norfolk State was tied with #2 Missouri 38-38 at halftime, and the two teams traded leads all the way through the second half. A 15-seed hasn’t beaten a 2-seed since 2001, when Hampton (in the same conference as Norfolk State) beat Iowa State (in the same conference as Missouri).

# 15 Norfolk State had the biggest upset over #2 Mizzou

Norfolk State was up 4 points with 3 minutes to go, and Mizzou got nervous and continued to screw up. After a Tigers 4-minute drought, the Spartans went on a 12-2 run. Mizzou got a steal, a 3 and some free throws to tie the game up with under a minute to go.

Norfolk State takes the lead again, and with 10 seconds left a 3 from Phil Pressey but the Tigers down by just 1. But it just wasn’t enough. Missouri had a chance to go for the tie or the win down two with just 7 seconds left after a missed free throw, but couldn’t get the rebound. A jump ball went to Norfolk State, who missed both free throws, giving Mizzou the ball with 2.6 seconds to go and yet another chance. Missouri missed. Game over. Norfolk State gets the 86-84 win over Missouri. My bracket’s busted, but it’s still worth it. This was just the fifth time a 15 has beaten a 2.

Kyle O’Quinn got in on the double-double action with 26 points and 14 rebounds, and that’s a name you’ll hear a lot for the next few days.

Check back to the Neutral Zone for more updates as the Tournament continues!

The Big XII had a great day yesterday in all of the Madness. Iowa State played lights out against the defending champs, UConn, defeating them 77-64. Baylor and their ‘interesting’ uniforms barely beat South Dakota State 68-60. And Kansas State played Southern Mississippi early in the day and won 70-64. That game wasn’t drama free. The Southern Miss band decided to go full derp after the game was over.

Today’s slate features the Missouri Tigers, Kansas Jayhawks and the Texas Longhorns.

The first game is out of the East region with No. 11 Texas taking on No. 6 Cincinnati. Both teams were at-large bids from their conferences.

No. 11 Texas (20-13) vs. No. 6 Cincinnati (24-10)
11:15 a.m. Friday, Nashville, Tenn., CBS

Texas is making it’s 14th tournament appearance this year.  J’Covan Brown has averaged 21 points in three NCAA games. He is the Longhorns’ most experienced player and consistent scorer. Senior Clint Chapman gives Texas an added dimension when he scores and rebounds. Freshman point guard Myck Kabongo averages 9.8 points and 5.3 assists per game.

Cincinnati players to watch include:  Yancy Gates, a 6-9 senior, is the Bearcats’ best post player’ he averages 11.7 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. Cincinnati has four players averaging in double figures but often has to generate points from its defense because the Bearcats shoot just 42 percent from the field. Defensively, the Bearcats are aggressive and allow just 60.8 points per game. Guards Dion Dixon (13.5 points per game) and Cashmere Wright (10.5 per game) are the team’s top perimeter scorers. And if you don’t remember, the Bearcats got into a large ‘brawl’ on court back in December.

Next up is the West Regional pitting No. 2 Missouri against No. 15 Norfolk State. Both teams were auto-bids from their respective conference.

No. 2 seed Missouri (30-4) vs. No. 15 seed Norfolk State (25-9)
3:40 p.m. Friday, Omaha, Neb., TNT.

Fresh off a Big XII championship, the Missouri Tigers are looking to continue their dominance into the Final Four. Many analysts have the Tigers going all the way to the big show. Missouri is the most efficient offensive team in the nation, averaging 80 points per game, and are coming off an impressive three victories in winning the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men’s Championship.  The Tigers are great at the free throw line  and commit just 10 turnovers per game despite playing at a fast pace.

Norkfolk State is from what many say, the weakest conference in Division I, the Mid-Eastern Athletic. They played a rough non-conference schedule which proved they have what it takes to go dancing. Players to look out for are: Senior center Kyle O’Quinn, who averages 15.9 points and 10.4 rebounds per game and is also leads the team in blocked shots.

Last up on the Big XII table for the day is No. 2 Kansas against No. 15 Detroit. Kansas was an at-large from the Big XII and Detroit was an auto-bid from the Horizon League.

No. 2 seed Kansas (27-6) vs. No. 15 Detroit (22-13)
8:57 p.m. Friday, Omaha, Neb., truTV.

Kansas won its eighth consecutive Big 12 regular-season title despite having to replace four starters from last year’s Elite Eight team. Players to look out for are: Thomas Robinson, a 6-10 junior forward, was the Big 12 player of the year, averaging 18 points and 12 rebounds per game. Senior point guard Tyshawn Taylor averages 17 points and five assists per game. Jeff Withey, a 7-foot junior, can be a factor with his shot blocking and offensive rebounding.

Can Detroit be the Cinderella in this situation? They are a great team and don’t need to be taken lightly by the Jayhawks. They have won 14-17 of their last games. A standout player, who was actually recruited by Kansas is the coaches son, Thomas Robinson. Robinson averages 15.6 points per game.

Selection Sunday is always an exciting time for the teams who get to go to the big show, and there were a few Big XII teams yesterday who had a lot to be excited about. Kansas on the other hand didn’t show much more than a golf clap when they were shown which bracket they would be playing in; I guess that happens when it is automatic that you are going.

Six out of the 1o teams made the cut in the 68-team field. For the first time in conference history, the Big XII has two No. 2 seeds with Kansas and Missouri. Baylor made it in as a No. 3 seed. The Big XII was the only conference with 3 teams in the seeding order top nine, with the B1G and the ACC only having two.

For Kansas State and Iowa State, who both came in at 8 seeds, their road may be a little bumpier. If they win their opening games, they will take on the No. 1 seeds from their bracket. (KSU has Syracuse, Iowa State has Kentucky) Iowa State’s opener is UConn so it may pose a challenge for the Cyclones. No. 11 seed Texas opens against No. 6 Cincinnati and if they win, they will take on FSU who won the ACC tournament on Sunday.

Some have Missouri, (including  ESPN’s Dick Vitale, Greg Anthony and Seth Davis of CBS) going to their first Final Four in school history due to the luck of the draw of being in the West. Missouri has the efficiency to do very well in their bracket.

The opening games for the Big XII teams are as follows:

Thursday in Pittsburgh
Kansas State vs. Southern Miss, 11:40 a.m., truTV

Thursday in Albuquerque
Baylor vs. South Dakota State, 6:27 p.m., truTV

Thursday in Louisville
Iowa State vs. Connecticut, 8:20 p.m., TBS

Friday in Nashville
Cincinnati vs. Texas, 11:15 a.m., CBS

Friday in Omaha
Missouri vs. Norfolk State, 3:40 p.m., TNT
Kansas vs. Detroit, 8:57 p.m., truTV

Complete game pre/post game coverage of all the Big XII games can be found on the Neutral Zone later in the week.

The 2012 mens basketball season has reached a close, and surprisingly enough, doesn’t include Kansas. The Baylor Bears and the Missouri Tigers will be playing in the final Saturday night in Kansas City. The Bears did what a lot of people didn’t think they could do and that was beat Kansas to make it in.

Baylor is turning out to have a great 2011-2012 sports season, or at least to Baylor standards they are. Their football team posted the best record they have had in decades and the basketball team is on the verge of winning the Big XII tournament.

Missouri defeated Texas on Friday to get in the final, 81-67.

The game is set to tip at 5:00 Saturday night on ESPN.

We are coming to the final few games of the 2012 Big XII tournament and no surprises that Kansas is leading the pack. Baylor, Texas and Missouri are also left. The games will tip-off later on tonight on ESPNU or the Big XII Network, with the final on Saturday. This looks like it will be set up as a Rock Chalk Jayhawk vs Tiger final, but stranger things have happened in a conference tournament…

It was a tough week for Missouri, who many considered to be a number 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. First they lost at home to Kansas State. Then they blew a 19 point lead at Kansas on Saturday, as they lost in overtime to their heated rivals. Those two losses dropped them from third in both polls to 7th in the AP Poll and 8th in the ESPN/Coaches Poll.

The top two stayed the same as both Kentucky and Syracuse went 2-0 this past week.

Other big losers this week include Florida State and New Mexico.

» Continue reading “Missouri the Biggest Loser in Week 17 Rankings”

Jeff Goodman and Gary Parrish of CBSSports.com have started the college basketball player of the year watch. Here is their list so far:

1. Thomas Robinson, Junior, Kansas

2. Anthony Davis, Freshman, Kentucky

3. Draymond Green, Senior, Michigan State

4. Jared Sullinger, Sophomore, Ohio State

5. John Henson, Junior, North Carolina

6. Doug McDermott, Sophomore, Creighton

7. Harrison Barnes, Sophomore, North Carolina

8. Marcus Denmon, Senior, Missouri

9. Isaiah Canaan, Junior, Murray State

10. Jae Crowder, Senior, Marquette

These 10 candidates are updated every week here. Anyone you think they left off?