[ShadeEagle]

I haven't been paying attention to ESPN: are they still writing the Vols off? The lack of quality road wins concern me with seeding, but I think that they look to be on the 4-6 line right now.

[onejayhawk]

As promised, a report on Texas at Baylor. This was deceptively close in a lot of ways. FG% 54.5% for Baylor, 50.9% for UT. FT were 15-17 for Baylor, 16-18 for UT. Rebounds 34 for Baylor, 33 for UT. One thing was not close--ball handling. Steals were 12 for Baylor, 4 for UT. Assists were 23 for Baylor, 11 for UT. Baylor's guards carved UT like an Easter ham. Final score, Baylor 92 Texas 77.

Going into the tournament, Baylor is the typr of team that will do damage. In the middle they have unmatched size. I mean that literally. This is the tallest frontline in the country, with the rebounding numbers to match. Josh Loomers is a classic hulking white C, but Upke Udoh is the Big XII career leader in blocked shots, while Quincy Acie has great quickness, and is a shot blocker in his own right. This is a big, physical, defense and rebounding force. But tournament play revolves around guards, and Baylor has a very nice pair. In today's game, Tweety Carter tortured the UT perimeter all day, carving up man and zone defenses with equal ease. His running mate has some length, at 6'4", and is both a serious slasher, and Baylor's game, season and career record holder in 3pt shots made. With the way Baylor has rained the bombs lately, that is saying something.

Texas, which got off to a 17-0 start, is amixed bag. This is one of ythe best front courts in the country. When they are going well, Gary Johnson and Damion James are peremier slashers. There is a host of 3pt threats: Johnson, Avery Bradley, J'Covan Brown, Jordan Hamilton. When it works, they can score in bunches, against very good teams. But lately, it has not worked. There is no natural ball handler to run the offense through. Johnson and James are finishers, not dishers. Dugas Balbay, is done for the season, and his best attribute was as a defender.

I said months ago that between Kansas and Texas, you could make three top 10 teams. That is still true, but all three PG would be Jayhawks.

J

[onejayhawk]

Small irony here, Texas gets to replay Baylor on a neutral floor. As the #3 seed, Baylor was set to play the winner of Texas vs Iowa St. Texas took care of business, so they get a third shot at Baylor. To win this, they need to figure out some way to slow down Tweety.

J