Must...Keep...Sports...In...Perspective...

Which headline is bigger? Don't answer that! (Today's Kansas City Star)

Kansas Prevails Over Texas Tech in Ugly Game

Sherron Collins had 19, despite spending half the game on the pine with foul trouble. (Kansas City Star)

In a game that at times was very rough, and other times was over officiated Kansas prevailed 80-68. Basically every time it appeared that Texas Tech was going to take a lead or extend a lead, the Jayhawks had a run. They would turn Tech over for a couple trips and make baskets. KU ended Tech chances after they drew to within 2 late in the second half with a 12 point run. Kansas was pretty balanced--five KU players in double figures--Sherron Collins, even though saddled with foul trouble all game, led scorers with 19 points. Cole Aldrich had 18 rebounds. So Kansas continues on in the Big 12 tournament, and will play the winner of the Nebraska-Texas A&M game. In fact, this game is going on now--in fact is almost over--with Texas A&M ahead 62-58 with about a minute to go.

0:12 seconds left--Texas A&M has a 6 point lead and is shooting free throws--looks like the Aggies will be KU's semifinal opponent.

Girls Basketball Uniforms

The Des Moines Register recently posted a look back on girls high school basketball in the state of Iowa--a 100 picture gallery of girls high school hoops. This is an amazing look back on the styles of uniforms over the years. Hat tip to the Uniwatch Blog. I picked out a couple to have a little fun with...

This photo is from 1978, the year of The Observer's graduation from high school. I have to say these uniforms were considerably more fancy then anything we had going on in Vermont!

This photo from this year's America East women's tourney shows a UVM player getting some pretty good air.

This skirt wearing Iowa high schooler circa 1961, though, had some hops!

Photo credits: top and bottom--Des Moines Register Middle--Burlington Free Press

Fizz-zou

Head palms all around...the Tiger bench near the end of this afternoon's game (Kansas City Star)

The University of Missouri men's basketball team put out a real clunker this afternoon at the Sprint Center. The Tigers (declawed, perhaps?) lost to #12 seed Nebraska 75-60. They never led this game, shot less than 40% from the field, were beaten to almost all loose balls and just generally stunk up the place.

Missouri looked great during the first part of the season, but seems to have worn down, plus an injury to Justin Safford seemed to really affect the team--they lost more then they won after he went down with a knee injury. At this point, I don't know if Mizzou is ready for the NCAAs. It would not surprise me if they don't make the field of 65. They do have some good wins, done early in the season, so that might get them in.

Mike Anderson needs to find some height to go with the quick hands and feet that this team features, and he will have three seniors to replace.

Kind of a pppffft ending, though...

UVM Men in Finals Too--Play BU at Home

Thou shalt not pass! or shoot! (Burlington Free Press photo)

After playing another ugly basketball game with the University of New Hampshire (final score 57-38), the Vermont men will play in the America East finals against #4 seed Boston University. UVM has beat BU twice already this season--hopefully they have that third win in them.

With the story in the Freeps was reader comments on going to the NCAA tournament. One comment did not think going to the Big Dance was that much of a Big Deal, to get bounced out by some basketball power (Oh, not KU again) in the first round. One writer proposed that the National Invitational Tournament would be a better choice for midmajors like UVM.

Very interesting conversation--however, I think if you were to ask the players, they would rather win a conference championship and go to the NCAAs. If I were in their shoes that is what I would say--to be a winner in your neighborhood, and then go and play in the tourney that features other conference winners and the best of the best? Even if I was UVM, and I checked my bracket and found Duke, Kansas State, Kansas or Syracuse there, I would still say, "This is the place to be."

UVM Women in America East Finals

UVM's May Kotsopoulos puts up a shot against BU (Burlington Free Press photo)

The University of Vermont women's basketball team will play ranked Hartford in the America East conference finals at Hartford Saturday March 13. The two teams have already played twice, with Hartford winning both times, 38-36 (how painful must this game have been to watch?) in Burlington and 61-51 at Hartford. This should be a close and interesting game, unless UVM does whatever they tried at Patrick Gym again...

To get there, UVM beat Boston University 69-52 on Sunday. The game featured a balanced attack with contributions from several players. Go Cats!

Kansas Dumps Mizzou, Iowa State Upsets Wildcats, Big 12 Tourney Set

Well the Big 12 basketball season is complete. Missouri lost its basket compass and got run over by Kansas. Kansas State struggled with, and ultimately lost to Iowa St. Soo...

Here are the pairing for next week's Big 12 men's basketball tournament at the Sprint Center in Kansas City. Seeds reflect order of finish in the conference.

Wednesday, March 10

11:30 a.m. No. 8 Colorado vs. No. 9 Texas Tech

2 p.m. No. 5 Missouri vs. No. 12 Nebraska

6 p.m. No. 7 Oklahoma State vs. No. 10 Oklahoma

8:30 p.m. No. 6 Texas vs. No. 11 Iowa State

Thursday, March 11

11:30 a.m. No. 1 Kansas vs. Colorado-Texas Tech winner

2 p.m. No. 4 Texas A&M vs. Missouri-Nebraska winner

6 p.m. No. 2 Kansas State vs. Oklahoma State-Oklahoma winner

8:30 p.m. No. 3 Baylor vs. Texas-Iowa State winner

Friday, March 12

Semifinals, 6 p.m., 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 13

Championship, 5 p.m.