Tourney Talk

With the Buffs now firmly entrenched on "the bubble", it's time to talk not only where CU can end up in the conference tournament, but the national one as well.

Alec and the Buffs still have work to do in order to fight their way into the Tourney.  From: The BDC

In order to make their first Tourney appearance in 8 years, CU should win each of the final 2 regular season games to make it to 20 overall wins.  While the mystical "20-win" round number marker no longer means what it used to, it is a general indicator, in a power conference, that you belong in the Tourney. 

If CU can get to 20, it'll be hard to keep them out, weak non-conference schedule be damned.  Additionally, 2 more wins probably vaults CU into the 5th seed in next weeks conference tournament (with that plum 1st-round game against ISU) as I'm still assuming Kansas can beat Missouri on the final day of conference play (Although, as we all saw last night with KSU/Texas, things don't always go as planned).

Could CU still make the Tournament after losing one of the next two ballgames?  Sure, but it would take an outstanding run in the Big XII tournament, possibly to the final, to make the selection committee forget a late-season loss to a lesser opponent.  Best to win these final 2.

The good news is that getting those final 2 wins comes at a slightly easier cost than getting the 18th last Saturday.  CU just needs to beat struggling Iowa State on the road tomorrow night and defeat rival Nebraska at what will probably be a sold-out CEC this Saturday to reach the 20-win plateau.  While I'm not going to sit here and count my chickens before they've hatched, this schedule is more favorable than if CU still had to play one of the Kansas schools or travel to College Station.

Having to go through the Huskers to make the Tourney will be tough, but it could be worse.

Once CU gets to KC, and assuming KSU doesn't stumble against ISU in their final game of the season, the Buffs will have a first round opponent.  It is absolutely imperative that they win this game.  Even with 20 wins, a CU team who loses to a low-RPI team in the first-round of the Big XII tournament could still end up in the NIT should other bubble teams play deeper into their respective tournaments.

So essentially, CU still needs 3 wins.  Go get 'em, boys!

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When looking at the national implications, without a run to the semi-finals of the conference tournament, I think the Buffs are probably going to end up in the "First Four" mini-tournament in Dayton, OH.  That soft non-conference schedule (ranked in the 320's nationally) is like an anchor around the Buffs necks, keeping them tied to the lower reaches of the bracket.  Things could certainly shake out to keep them off the bottom line, but I think most scenarios at this point have CU as "sneaking" into the Tournament.  I still don't like Tournament expansion (from the 34 at-large teams of previous years to 37 this year), but I'll keep my mouth shut if the Buffs get in because of it.

I guess pre-Tournament is better than no Tournament at all.

Obviously, this time of year invites scoreboard watching.  While there are plenty of teams anxiously playing out their final few games left on the schedule, here are a few that Buff fans may want to follow with some extra attention (read: root against them):  Illinois, Richmond, Alabama, Michigan, Baylor, Wichita St, Clemson, Boston College, Colorado St. Maryland, Nebraska, and Memphis.  A few of these teams play tough games this evening.  Here's a list of 5 games that CU fans should be follow closely tonight, along with a short explanation as to what the game could mean:

Illinois @ Purdue - I still think the Illini could play themselves out of the Tournament.  They've played a tough schedule, but have lost some howlers this season (UIC, @Indiana, @Northwestern).  Their saving grace might be that final game against Indiana; losing in Bloomington is one thing, losing to them in Champaign is another matter entirely.

Alabama @ Florida - How can a team who lost to St Peter's be in Tourney discussion?  Well, they're the #1 team in the SEC West (which is like wining the Big East in football), and if they win this game would probably be in the Dance.  Here's to them falling on their face.

Mizzou @ Nebraska - Nebraska is way on the outside the Tourney discussion.  They would have to win out, and have a strong showing in KC to make it in my estimation.  Not out of the question with their defense, but very unlikely.  If they win tonight it would set up a titanic match-up on Saturday, possibly for a spot in the Dance.

Baylor @ OSU - Hanging around, hanging around, this team's got alligator blood.  Baylor just won't die off.  CU needs to find separation from them to better their conference seed, but just can't seem to slip by them.  Any trip to Stillwater, even when the Cowboys are playing bad basketball, is tough, but CU may have to wait untill the weekend to leap-frog the Bears.

Boston College @ Virginia Tech -  BC is a team with similar resume to the Buffs.  They started 3-0 in conference before falling on hard times.  They even have a loss to Harvard and a win against Indiana.  If the Eagles have any hope of making the Dance, they have to beat VaTech tonight.  C'mon Hokies!

Quick-Post: Burks named Big XII player of the week

For the second time this season, Alec Burks has earned Big XII player of the week honors.  In the two wins this week over teams from the Lone Star state Burks averaged 23.5/9, highlighted by his 33/10/4 game on Saturday vs Texas.  Way to go Alec!

Monday Grab Bag: The greatest comeback since Lazarus (UPDATED)

(UPDATE - 2/28/11) - Tom Kensler of the Denver Post is reporting that GA tickets for the Nebraska game are sold out... if you want on the bandwagon, you'd better hop on quick 'cause it's about to leave the station.

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What a massive weekend.  Not only did CU pull the comeback of the century out of their asses on Saturday, but there was also plenty of NFL combine news, the first spring training games, the (painful) beginning of softball season, and the Oscars to keep me occupied.  Today in the bag I'll mostly talk about the big win over Texas, but I'll also touch on the record breaking career of Cory Higgins, the weird character questions surrounding Jimmy Smith and the Oscars.

The celebrating begins inside this week's bag.  From: the BDC

Click below for the bag...

Buffs logo on Top Gear

As I always do in season, I semi-legally watched the newest episode (and last of the current season) of Top Gear last night.  If you haven't discovered the brilliance that is Top Gear, I can't suggest enough that you check it out.  I don't even particularly like car conversation that much, but the show is extremely well produced, and it's flat out great television.

Anyways, in the final segment of the Sunday night's show, presenter James May came to America to take a peek at NASA's new lunar rover.  While attempting to parallel park the multi-million dollar piece of equipment he sided up to an SUV with an interesting logo on the side:

GO BUFFS!  This is my own cropped screengrab from Top Gear UK episode 16x06

Top Gear is rumored to have over 350 million viewers, and each of them were exposed to Ralphie yesterday.  It is well known that CU is one of the leading providers of intellectual talent to NASA (head-lined by an astounding 18 astronauts), so it's not overly surprising that the Top Gear crew would randomly bump into a Buff'd out car.  I'm just glad whoever this Buff is decided to park there.

Friday Beer Post: Bellhaven Scottish ale at Murphy's

One of my numerous (and belligerent) roommates works at Murphy's grill in South Boulder.  The rest of the house and I had been putting off visiting him at his job for months; that ended last night.  We popped into SoBo to try some of Murphy's finest eats, and I came away very impressed.  What impressed me the most, however, was their keg of Bellhaven's Scottish ale on nitro tap.

I'm not the world's biggest advocate of nitro tapped beers; essentially I feel it's an over-hyped fad and that CO2 is integral to the creation of "beer."  However, with a well-crafted beer, it can enhance the flavor in delicious ways.  I found the Bellhaven to be excellent; a nice apple flavor and aroma danced around a strong malty backbone, with a hint of hops and a rich creamy-ness from the nitro.  I can't suggest trying it enough if you find it somewhere.

The beer in question in it alternative can form.

My roommate says that what had been a limited engagement with the scottish ale has turned into a month's long fling.  Pint after pint is flowing out, so they keep ordering more.  My tastebuds certainly won't argue.  If you get a chance, I suggest you hop on down to Murphy's and try one or two; and if you see Dillon while you're there, say hi for me.

Happy Friday!

Texas Basketball Preview

My final first-look preview of a Big XII team will be devoted to the school that stands alone behind the eventual breakup of the conference.  Texas is, and has been for a long time, an uncontrollable monster, quickly gobbling up everyone in their path on the way to single-institution dominance.  At some point they have to realize that it takes other schools to help stuff their giant mattress of cash, right?

When UT leaves the Big XII, and it will happen sometime in the next 5 years, it will be the culmination of 2 solid decades of scheming to set out on their own.  I hope its everything they think it's cracked up to be.  And I hope the other 9 remaining Big XII teams have a backup plan.

The conference lead a good life.  From: bleacher report

CU enters Saturday afternoon's home game against the Texas Longhorns fresh off of a gritty win against another of the Lone Star State's Big XII entrants.  Wednesday's 3 point win over Texas Tech may not have been the prettiest of victories, but, afterall, a win is a win, and it keeps hopes of slipping into the 5th seed for the upcoming Big XII tournament alive.  I know the Buffs feel that this game is winnable, and will be fired up come Saturday afternoon.  Not for nothing, but CU is undefeated at home in weekend games this season (6-0)...

CU looks to rise above the daunting Longhorns Saturday afternoon.

Texas, of course, comes in as the #5 team in both polls, and at 24-4 (12-1) they are legitimately one of the best teams in the country.  While #5 isn't bad, they probably would've been #1 if they hadn't stumbled in Lincoln last weekend.  They even beat Kansas in Lawrence this year, and look every bit as strong as their record indicates.  They are a tough, athletic, and quick team, who I think has a damn good shot of wining the national championship in April. 

Gametime is set for 2pm on Saturday.  If you don't already have a ticket, I wouldn't bother showing up in Boulder Saturday as the game has been sold out for weeks.  If you're ticket-less, or just live outside of the area, the game will be televised on the "Big 12 Network" (Altitude 2).

This game will also mark the final time CU plays Texas in the regular season, and is my final chance to say goodbye to the "Good Ol' Boys" from Austin.  Here's where I come clean, I kind of like UT.  Austin is a beautiful city, with a vibrant, dare I say 'liberal,' culture.  UT is a fantastic, almost world-class, institution of higher learning.  One of the best road-trips of my life was to Austin in '05.  If I said anything against UT the institution it would from behind a mask of deceit and jealousy.  If only they could take the 'Texas' out of UT,  but then it just wouldn't be the same...

Now, the UT athletic department?  That's a different story all together.  DeLoss Dodds, the UT athletic director since the early 80's, has built them to the rough collegiate equivalent of the New York Yankees.  National and conference title rain down on the Longhorns in nearly every sport they compete in.  This is directly related to the gigantic pile of cash Dodds gets to play around with.  UT is consistently listed in the top-3 largest athletic department budgets in the country, and has well over $100 million to throw at any problem area.

They have the best facilities, largest recruiting budgets, and most impressive infrastructure around.  Am I jealous, hell yes!  But it's also an example of the financial disparity and its effect in collegiate sports.  Even 3 years ago, UT had 3 times the financial resources (total revenue) of schools like Texas Tech or Iowa State (about 2 times what CU had).  It's absurd to expect other universities to compete against a behemoth like that.  Hell, they've even got their own ESPN-branded network!

To then go about and demand that league revenues are split unevenly only furthers the divide, and ensures that true competition is only an illusion.  I'll say this slowly; more competition equals more money for everyone.  The current business model, driven by greedy Texas, may work for some teams, but it's not sustainable overall, and that's why CU is bolting.

The money just keeps flowing to UT, making it nearly impossible to compete.  From: this random site

When considering the move to the Pac-12, I'm most excited about heading to a conference where even the haves (UCLA, USC) share league revenues equally (relatively) with the have-nots.  Because of this, in 10 years the Pac-12 will be alive and well, while the Big XII will be roadkill on the hood of UT's big Texas Cadillac.

Anyway, I say farewell, Longhorns.  I can't say it hasn't been interesting.

Click below for my preview

Quick-Post: The new direction of the football team's offense

Shifting gears, Ringo has a quick look at the new direction that Coach Embree and Coach Bieniemy are taking the offense in. 

Pro Style!  Tight Ends!  Gary Barnett!  Saying those things to Buff Nation is like throwing a steak to a lion; we'll eat that shit up.

If you've got basketball fatigue (I don't, but to each their own) I suggest you head over to check it out.