Want Mizzou access? You got it. It’s Chach with the inside scoop from the Big 12 Tourney…Because he can.
Day 1 is in the books. #9 Texas A&M defeated #8 Oklahoma handedly while the depleted #7 Oklahoma State Cowboys with their 6 scholarship players took care of #10 Texas Tech. An exciting Big 12 tournament has begun and I’m lucky to be a part of the Missouri Men’s Basketball team through our journey.

We arrived in Kansas City around noon today and had a short practice at the Sprint Center followed by a walk-through at a nearby university. The players seemed confident, focused, and extremely confident with our offense. I am having a hard time concentrating on working with the team while all this AWESOME basketball is going on. I am making myself a promise that even when I graduate and get a job, no matter what, I will make sure I have time to watch these games. Maybe I call in sick, maybe I use my vacation days, but I WILL go to Vegas and enjoy the greatest sports playoff ever created.

Upon arriving to the hotel from dinner, we were met with applause, but it wasn’t for us. The Mizzou Women’s team defeated the Oklahoma State Cowgirls earlier tonight in an upset. We wish them the best of luck.

While watching the first round games of the Big 12 tournament, I couldn’t keep from beating myself up for thinking Texas Tech had any chance of covering. They are just an awful team. Oklahoma State has lost two more starters to injury and are now having to resort to a walk-on as the only bench player, who sunk his first 3-pointer of the year tonight. Yet, the Red Raiders lost by double digits.

Tomorrow begins a long, full day of college basketball. The ACC, SEC, and Big 10 tournaments start, while the Big East and Big 12 tournaments start to get interesting.

UConn has won 13 postseason games in a row dating back to last years Big East first round, but are going against the undisputed #1 seed Syracuse in the Garden. Shabazz Napier fouled out during today’s stellar performance, but Jeremy Lamb saved the day in OT against West Virginia. I think the Huskies will run out of steam here. Games at 11 AM CT.

Texas and Iowa State square off at 8:30 in a must-win for the Longhorns if they want a nod for the tourney, according to Joe Lunardi. J’Covan Brown went OFF in their last game at kU scoring at will in the paint and from outside. This is going to be the best game of the day in terms of NCAA tournament ramifications. Royce White is a beast for the Cyclones and this Iowa State team (with, I think, the shortest names in the NCAA, minus Christopherson i.e. Babb, Palo, Ejim, Allen, White, McGee) is looking to get in at the highest seed possible.

Not taking away from the Baylor vs. Kansas State game...I can see either team winning here. Both are locks for the tournament in my opinion and a win here would be a huge confidence booster. The wild card is obviously how well K-state’s D will hold up. We’ve seen how Baylor can play well and also how they can play like shit. Same for the Wildcats. In theory, the better coached Wildcat team should win it here, plus add in the home crowd, and who knows what kind of team the Bears will bring. Either way, the winner is going to have to play kansas. Note: I’ve watched kU play a lot recently and their defense has been lacking as of late. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see some close games by them.

On to Tigers-Cowboys. Should be a game closer to what we saw in Columbia, a blow out. These guys are less of a team when they beat us, and even less of a team when we demolished them. Should take care of business. Talk to you tomorrow. Go Tigers.

Thanks for reading

Chach