What’s going on in the Big 12 and beyond? I expand and explain every Sunday in Postscripts at Heartland College Sports, your home for independent Big 12 coverage.
This week, dispatches from the Salt Lake state, some great basketball on Saturday night and comedy in the high skies.
QUICK THOUGHTS FROM UTAH
I spent three days in Utah for four basketball games (two at Utah and two at BYU), along with the Holy War football game on Saturday night. Just a few takeaways.
As much as some Utah fans have groused about this move on social media (I think it’s a vocal minority), I honestly believe Utah is a great fit for the Big 12. The facilities are on par. The fans have a lot of energy. Everyone I interacted with seemed dedicated to making Utah a premier program in this conference. That’s what you’re looking for in new membership.
Utah has much more history than you might expect. For instance, did you know the Utes won the 1944 NCAA men’s basketball tournament? Here’s the proof. Look at the character in that trophy?
The Utah women’s basketball team, to me, has the makings of a Top 8 team in the league. And that, at minimum, gets you a first-round bye in Kansas City. The men are capable of shooting teams out of the gym — and that’s just the Madsen brothers. My takeaways from Thursday night are below.
The BYU men’s basketball team is going to be just fine. And Egor Demin isn’t going to be in this conference long, so enjoy him while you can. That, plus how the Cougars’ holdovers from last year are going to help keep this team dangerous in the Big 12.
Oh, and the $7 on a Cougar Tail is the best $7 you’re going to spend.
The BYU women have an intriguing team and they responded from a suspect second quarter to beat Wyoming. My piece is here. But you have to love how they do their pre-game intros. Best use of linen ever.
And, now, we’ve finally got the Holy War back on an annual basis. I got to see one of the best rivalry games in football and get a good look at Rice-Eccles Stadium before the game.
And I’m not NORMALLY a color-on-color uniform guy, but this is acceptable.
BYU clearly loves being in this conference. One long-time media member I talked to told me that the Big 12 is the conference the Cougars really wanted to be in. And, in less than two years, the Cougars have made the Big 12’s reticence to expand nearly 10 years ago look like a missed opportunity. That wasn’t about BYU. That was about certain former members that didn’t want expansion at all.
The Cougars are building to be a driving force in this league for years to come. In many ways, they’re already equipped to do it.
So here’s to BYU and Utah, for many years to come. Welcome.
TOP 25 SATURDAY NIGHT
The Big 12 had two Top 25 games in action on the men’s side on Saturday.
One featured Baylor beating Arkansas, 72-67. After getting drilled in Spokane by Gonzaga, the Bears absolutely needed that win. Five Bears were in double figures and Norchad Omier had a double-double. That’ll play Baylor, that’ll play.
Also not 100% certain I knew VJ Edgecombe had ups like this.
Houston faced Auburn in Houston (neutral site game at the home of the Houston Rockets). The Tigers won, 74-69, and they shot 53% in the process. Not a bad loss for the Cougars in the grand scheme.
So, between Kansas, Houston and Baylor they went 2-2 against other Top 25 teams this week. This early in the season you’ll take it.
THIS IS TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Reason No. 1,422,681 why Texas high school football is the best.
Most playoff games are neutral site games. Many times, coaches or athletic directors usually meet in person, especially back in the day, to hash out the details (if you’ve read Friday Night Lights, that stuff’s real).
Well, crazy things can happen in those meetings. And one happened when Aspermont and Benjamin were preparing to negotiate their six-man playoff game (yep, we have six-man football in Texas. Small towns will basically do anything to play football).
Colorado beat Texas Tech, 41-27. So, if I understand the terms, Aspermont will host Benjamin.
Of course, your next question (especially if you’re not from Texas) is “Where is Aspermont?”
Well, it’s in Stonewall County. It’s roughly an hour north of Abilene. It’s in the same area of two of the best small-town high school nicknames in Texas — the Rotan Yellowhammers and the Hamlin Pied Pipers.
Aspermont is the Hornets, by the way.
HEY, WANNA HEAR SOMETHING FUNNY?
Well, listen to the pilots that flew Auburn’s basketball team to Houston on Friday — or at least tried to.
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.
