Kansas and Texas Prove to be Best in Big XII

In a season that saw the Texas Longhorns blow a two game conference lead to the Kansas Jayhawks; it's certainly fitting that the two will play for the Big XII Championship tonight in Kansas City. Texas came to Kansas City on a mission and steamrolled their way to the finals with impressive wins over Oklahoma and Texas A&M. Meanwhile, the Kansas Jayhawks struggled through a last second win over Oklahoma St, and won a shootout with a hot Colorado team last night.

So we now know their will be no "fluke" Big XII champion this season. These two teams have proven to be the top dogs in this conferene throughout the course of the year. Pre-season predictions saw Kansas State chosen as the favorite and teams like Missouri hot on their heels. It is aparant that those schools currently do not have the coaching or personell to compete with Kansas on a consistent basis. The Jayhawks have won seven straight regular season conference chamionships which is as dominate as it sounds. Texas have been the team knocking on Kansas' door for the past several seasons under Rick Barnes. Tonight will tell us whether the Horns are ready to take the next step to conference dominance. They have the talent to win this game, but will a pro-KU crowd be the difference? You have to believe it will.

Mike Anderson: Why He May Not Be "The Guy"

Mike Anderson came to Missouri in 2005 after Quin Snyder helped crumble a once proud basketball program. Within three seasons, Anderson had guided a Mizzou squad to an Elite 8 and a Big XII Championship. Since then, however, his last two teams have appeared to get progressively worse and in 2011 the team has won a total of two true road games. After last nights dismal performance at Nebraska, it is clear that this team is missing all sorts of parts. They have not one big man down low that can demand double teams, rebound, or become a serious scoring threat. This is in year FIVE of Anderson's tenure at Missouri.

I would never advocate that Anderson be fired. He is a wonderful guy, solid coach, and an excellent mentor to the kids he brings in. The problem is that in-state recruits are literally running away from this program. The last two seasons, Anderson's top recruits have failed to qualify leaving gaps in scholoraships and players at Mizzou.

Yesterday on 810 AM, Doug Gottlieb floated the possibility that Arkansas will fire their coach at the end of this season and will "not take no for an answer" from Anderson. Now the last two seasons Coach Anderson has flirted with other jobs. In 2009 it was Memphis, and last season it was Oregon. Missouri upped his pay to keep him. Now what if Arkansas throws their SEC money at Anderson this off season? What has he done since 2009 to demand ANOTHER pay increase? This will be a difficult decision for Mike Alden if it comes to pass considering the lack of recruiting Anderson has accomplished in the past two seasons. I think Anderson should be allowed to walk if this occurs. Missouri is a solid program with great facilities which would lure any number of coaching prospects to Columbia. Maybe one who can land an elite recruit that lives in the state of Missouri.


-By Clint Switzer