Quick Big 12 Tourney Update - Day 1

It's been a long day, so here is a quick update.

Game 1
Texas Tech took down K-State 73-65 behind a huge rally which saw the Red Raiders outscore the Wildcats 41-29 in the second frame. K-State enjoyed the game so much they fired their coach immediately afterward - Hopefully they gave him $20 to catch the Greyhound Bus back to Manhattan. The raiders face UT tomorrow in the first quarterfinal game of the afternoon at 11:30.

Game 2
Colorado overcame a feisty Baylor team to prevail 65-61. Colorado did not look overly impressive and 1st team all big XII selection Richard Roby had a very mediocre day. Colorado takes on A&M tomorrow at 2:00 in the second quarterfinal game. (See notes below)

Game 3
OSU came out as impressive as any team on Thursday and thwarted a late Iowa State rally to hold on for a 79-70 win. OSU faces Kansas in tomorrow's 6:00 quarterfinal. OSU over KU may be the most likely game to end in an upset on Friday.

Game 4
Yawn. Nebraska beat Missouri 71-64. Does this conclude the Melvin Watkins era at Missouri? Nebraska and OU play the final quarterfinal game of the day at 8:30. There is only a 30% I will stick around to see all 40:00 minutes of that game.

OK - Aggies and Buffaloes - real quick.

I don't like the fact that Richard Roby had an off day vs. Baylor. He is good enough of a player to know that the odds of him having bad games back-to-back are slim at best. That being said there are two things that are very encouraging:

1.) Colorado will be playing back-to-back in consecutive nights for the first time this season. Hopefully they will have some tired legs come late in the 2nd half.

2.) You shut down Richard Roby, you shut down Colorado. I have no doubt that Coach G and his staff will be burning the proverbial midnight oil tonight coming up with a game plan which will make stopping Roby a priority.

Aggies and Buffaloes lock horns tomorrow at 2:00 on ESPN+ and ESPNU.

NCAA Update:
Wins by Colorado, UAB and Syracuse did not help A&M's tourney cause.
Losses by Florida State and Michigan did help A&M's tourney cause.

Bottom line - Beat Colorado and there is no way the committee will deny you an invite to the big dance.

More tomorrow night.

I'm going to bed.

As you were.

-sb