STF Conference Reports: Big XII 12/12/2007

I may have waited too long to write this one. I wrote the first B12 report on the final day of November, and felt it would be redundant to do another one on Dec 5th. So now a lot of stuff has happened, making my choices of awardees harder. But that's why they pay me the big bucks.

The Big 12/Pac 10 Hardwood Series was the big story of the week, and it was pretty much a wash. Oklahoma lost to USC and Kansas won at the Galen Center. Kansas State lost a nail-biter to Oregon in OT. Nebraska, Oklahoma State, and Iowa State Surprised. Colorado didn't. Texas Tech didn't play in the series at all. Isn't that just so Bob Knight?

At Kansas, former starter Sasha Kaun came off the bench to score 15 points in as many minutes. So wait, does that mean he proved he should start, or that he's better in a limited role? I can never figure that out. The Red Raiders lost to the freaking Centenary Gentlemen, and still didn't get my vote for worst team of the week. But it was close. So let's do this.

Team of the Week

Gotta go with Texas again. Knocking off UCLA in their own building is about as big-time as it gets. DJ Augustin is a reliable scorer and he gets the ball to his teammates, with 7 apg. The Longhorns are definitely a more balanced team this year, with all five starters averaging double figures. The worst thing I can say about them is that there's a severe drop-off after that. But a short bench is working for them right now, so what do I know?

Player of the Week

I'm going for the changeup here. I'm picking Nebraska's Aleks Maric. I admire his consistency. He's playing on a middle-of-the-pack Big 12 team, but he's hanging tough. Here's what he's done since the last B12 report: 14/8 vs Arizona State, 17/13 at W. Kentucky, and 19/8 in a win over Rutgers. The Sydney, Australia, native charged up his already excellent rebounding totals in the only game the Huskers lost this week. That's what I call senior leadership. If he can get his team on the same page, they could surprise.

Worst Week

Oklahoma. The Centenary loss by Tech gave them a run for their money, but at least that was on the road. The Sooners let Stephen F. Austin beat them in the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman. Back in my day, Billy Tubbs' forehead would have split open, bathing the court in a deadly and sulpherous demon light before such an event could occur. OU let a guy named Gerald Fonzie score 10 points. The guy had just put up a goose-egg at home vs. the Southern Jaguars.

Fonzie!!! Yikes.

Games to Watch

Oklahoma State at #9 Pitt - noon Saturday, ESPN
#17 Oregon at Nebraska - 2pm Saturday, regional TV
Arkansas at Oklahoma - 3pm Saturday, ESPN2
Ohio at #3 Kansas - 5pm Saturday, ESPN2

Lots of chances for underdogs to prove their merit and make a statement this week. We'll look at how it pans out next Wednesday.