Welcome to Tuesday Takes, where I give you four takes from the Big 12. It was a jam-packed week full of exciting news, but there were several things that caught my attention over the last few days. From Arizona’s record chasing, to March Madness discussions and the Big 12’s strength, it’s all covered this week!
Hello, Record Book
With Arizona’s win over Arizona State on Saturday, the Wildcats have now tied the 1996-97 Kansas Jayhawks with 22-straight wins to start a season. That is the most consecutive wins to start a season in Big 12 history.
Not only did the Wildcats make history, but they were also able to do it on the road against their in-state rival which made it even more bittersweet. Now as great as that is, Arizona now has a chance to stand alone in the Big 12 history books if they can beat Oklahoma State at home on Saturday.
Last Tuesday I said they will get it done and they should because Oklahoma State is nowhere near their level. Plus, the game is in Tucson, which should help even more. But I felt the need to give this team some praise because they are the number one team in America.
Gary Parrish Knows Ball
Just like most of you, this past weekend I sat around and soaked up plenty of Big 12 hoops from my couch. Normally after a game, I flip the channel to another game, but I just happened to stumble across a postgame show from CBS and my ears immediately perked up when I heard Gary Parrish talking about the Big 12.
“Most of the computers are rating the SEC as the number one conference in the sport this season but I don’t think that’s true”, Parish said. “The Big 12 is the strongest because of the strength at the top. They have more legitimate national contenders than anyone.”
It’s about time the Big 12 starts getting some more respect nationally and kudos to Gary Parrish for speaking the truth. This is the best basketball conference in the country and it’s about time more people started realizing that.
Staying at 12 Was the Right Call
There has been so much talk surrounding the playoff after the season was over to the point where I was just sick of it. Should they go to 16 or 24? Hell, I even heard some people argue for more which is just absurd to me.
It’s clear that the SEC and the Big Ten control this whole thing. What they want, they get and everyone else just must fall in line. For now, it seems like the best move because we can’t even figure out which 12 teams should have gotten in this year.
Before we expand the playoff, there needs to be some ground rules set. Stop giving Notre Dame special treatment should be at the top of that list and then go from there. While the idea of expansion could bring more money for the Big 12, we need to keep in mind that the ones who control it have no desire to actually help the conference we all love. But for now, staying at 12 is probably what’s best for everyone until we have a better idea of what’s coming.
Kansas Can Win A National Championship
It feels like a lifetime ago when Kansas got off to a 1-2 start in Big 12 play and there was little hope left in Lawrence. I admit that I buried this team and boy have they done nothing but prove me wrong since then.
After Monday night’s epic win over Texas Tech, the Jayhawks have now won six in a row in Big 12 play and look like a serious Big 12 title contender. Darryn Peterson has played like a lottery pick, and even when he isn’t on the floor, guys like Flory Bidunga and others have been able to step up.
Texas Tech had a ten-point lead with eight minutes left in the game and Kansas was never phased. They kept their composure and chipped away like any great team would. And then in crunch time, they made the plays down the stretch to take the game.
Kanas gets a bad Utah team on Saturday which should be an easy win, but next Monday they will host the No. 1 team in the country, Arizona, which will be a must-watch game. If they win that, then there’s no reason why this team shouldn’t be a national championship contender.
