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Mike Miller

Mike Miller has been NBCSports.com's college basketball editor since 2003. It's a position he relishes; no wonder considering he transferred to Kansas to watch Paul Pierce play. Most of his favorite sports memories involve college hoops, usually during March, when every waking moment is spent thinking about March Madness.



Big 12 wants top conference bragging rights

Posted: Friday, October 23, 2009 4:37 PM
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With Big East coaches pleading parity, there’s an opening for the mythical “toughest college basketball conference” in the country.

And it sounds like the Big 12 wants it.

"I believe this is our league’s year,” Kansas coach Bill Self said at Big 12 media day. "I don’t think we’ll be talking about maybe getting six in the tournament next March. That’ll be something that’s very disappointing to everybody involved if this league doesn’t have six, seven, eight teams at least.”

He’s got a point. The Jayhawks are everyone’s favorite to win, while Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, Texas A&M and Missouri will likely be in the Top 25 at some point this season. They’re all eyeing NCAA tournament berths.

And consider this: The coaches picked Iowa State to finish 8th despite having a future NBA lottery pick in Craig Brackins and the newcomer of the year in Marquis Gilstrap.

That’s a salty group of teams. Kansas – no matter how much talent is has – isn’t going to stroll to another conference crown.

Make no mistake, the Big Ten, ACC and Big East – even the resurgent SEC – all have a case to be called the best. Yet for whatever reason, the Big 12 usually isn’t lumped into that group despite having a better RPI than all but the ACC the last two seasons.

"Then again, people have never given the Big 12 the credit it deserves,” says Texas coach Rick Barnes.

Part of that is because the conference doesn’t have the ACC’s historical cachet or the sheer number of basketball schools like the Big East. Also, it took the league 12 tries to win an NCAA tournament title (Kansas in ’08).

But there’s no denying the talent is there.

The league features perhaps the nation’s best player at each position in Sherron Collins (point guard), Willie Warren (shooting guard), James Anderson (wing), Craig Brackins (power forward) and Cole Aldrich (center).

"Every night in and night out, you're going to witness three to four to five (future) NBA players on the court," says Oklahoma State coach Travis Ford. "This is a very special year, there's no question."

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Comments

Are you nuts?!  The ACC and Big East are way better than the Big 12... if you don't believe me, simply look at the teams and simply compare!  I wished that the Big 12 played the teams in the ACC and Big East, then we will know!  Stick to football, Big 12!

Vince P., Benalmadena, Malaga (Spain) (Sent Saturday, October 24, 2009 6:13 AM)

You must be kidding me!
Every year the Big 12 suggests they have big time talent, they lose come tourney time.
They don't play defense; and, they don't know what to do when they play a team that does play defense.
On paper, Kansas looks to win the NCAA, but honestly, I don't think they will. This year's talent nationwide seems to suggest total parity.
If North Carolina can find a point guard this season, I wouldn't put it past the tarheels to win it again. They can match up with anybody under the basket.
As a former Nova basketball player, I would like to say we're a lock for a final four pick; however, we do have an abundance of freshman; although, very good freshman, who haven't experienced this type madness. I, do think our guards may make the difference; and, our small forwards can all shoot the lights out of the basket. Maybe, we'll make the final eight.
Don't count out Michigan State, they have an abundance of talent everywhere on the court. If injuries don't hurt them, they will be there come next March.
Also, watch out for West Virginia. They have some solid palyers at every position and they have a coach who knows how to get the most out of his players.
Texas could be a threat, but again they seems to die when the tourney comes around. They don't play many people other than the starters and by March, the starters are worn down.
This should be a year of immense speculation and I believe the hot team by March will win it all. And, they better have great shooters, because getting close to the basket won't be easy.

billh, Summerfield, NC (Sent Monday, October 26, 2009 2:06 PM)



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