2024 Big XII Tournament

[bearcatbret]

will be interesting....probably will see X and Mick Cronin there.

Not sure if x will be in the NIT with a losing record.

[longtimefan]

“For the 2024 NIT, conference regular-season champions that do not win their conference tournament or are not otherwise selected to the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship will not receive an automatic bid to the NIT.

Instead, the NIT will guarantee two teams (based on the NET rankings) from each of six conferences (Atlantic Coast, Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and Southeastern). The top two teams in the NET rankings not qualifying for the NCAA men's basketball tournament from each conference, regardless of win-loss record, will be selected. Additionally, the 12 teams automatically selected will be guaranteed the opportunity to host a game in the first round of the NIT.”

https://www.ncaa.org/news/2023/10/27...on-format.aspx

[leo from jersey]

well, I am excited. Although I want to see them continue playing, next year looks promising. The Cats were just tired. SL had played just about every minute the first two games and his legs were dead. he had no push on his shot. Next year three top 100 players are on the way. If the Cats can keep this team together, look out. I look for at least one more and possibly 3 more o[enings. I love the two guard lineup but I would love to see a third in the mix next year and that third be a transfer floor leader. The problem may be that CWM would then have too many options. That is a good problem.

[London 'Cat]

Have to learn to defend without fouling. It has been a problem all year. 22 FTs for BU, of which it made 19. A huge factor that permitted BU to overcome its poor shooting in the first half. In the second half, BU kept the pressure on and the ‘Cats could not keep up.

A decent yet frustrating season. The ‘Cats have work to do to improve for next year.

[leo from jersey]

Have to learn to defend without fouling. It has been a problem all year. 22 FTs for BU, of which it made 19. A huge factor that permitted BU to overcome its poor shooting in the first half. In the second half, BU kept the pressure on and the ‘Cats could not keep up.

A decent yet frustrating season. The ‘Cats have work to do to improve for next year.

I believe they were tired and played with their hands and not their feet. You are right though. They need to improve on the fundamentals.

[Lobot]

Good Morning! Here's your box score:

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...meId/401625443

Starting five had some offensive production issues. Egregious foul differential and some odd officiating last night. We also got hammered on the boards which is weird for this team. All of this equals, we got tired after the 1st 10 minutes or so. I was impressed that we made a run in the 2nd half but you could tell we weren't going to make it all the way back. Three games in three days against a team of that caliber on offense is not a recipe for success. On to post season.

[GoBearcats31]

Tough L but proud of this team and really have enjoyed watching them -- but more basketball left (NIT)

Feel like UC--currently at #38 in the NET--was 1 to 2 wins away from still being left out by the Committee despite good metrics.

[sedz]

We only scored 0.85 points per possession, our second lowest output of the entire season, just ahead of the TCU game. That's not good enough against an average Baylor defense. The Bears had a good gameplan to take away what we do best: offensive rebounding. They played a zone most of the game and kept their big behind our big at all times, leaving the free throw line area wide open but always maintaining box out position. As a result, we only rebounded 22% of our misses, our lowest rate in conference. Aziz, Jamille, and Vik had zero offensive rebounds as a group. We aren't going to beat good teams when that happens. Just like in the first game, it took us too long to figure out the zone. Credit Baylor for a good strategy to turn us into a jump shooting team and eliminate second chances.

Defensively we played well, holding Baylor to 1.03 points per possession on under 45% effective field goals. Holding that offense to a below average output is impressive. The main problem on the defensive side of the ball was again rebounding. We allowed the Bears to grab 41% of their misses. On both ends we were outrebounded by 12.

Our best players were Jizzle and Vik, each putting up 2.2 net points. Jizzle had 10 points from the field on 10 shots and added 2 of 2 from the line, 2 assists, 2 rebounds, a steal, and no turnovers. Vik was 2 of 2 from the field with an assist and a rebound in only 5 minutes. He was able to take advantage of the wide open lane by making his baby hook. A fully healthy Vik playing 30 minutes may have been able to spoil Baylor's gameplan. Newman was the only other player with positive net points. Day Day was our worst player, scoring only 3 points on 7 shots with 4 turnovers. Aziz led in defensive box plus minus with 4 blocks, but he was held scoreless.

It was a good run, until we ran into a coach who exposed the holes in our roster. We've got to get more scoring options, guys who can create offense at multiple levels who aren't so easy to gameplan against. Jizzle and Skillings have the raw ability, but they're both bad shooters. Simas can shoot but isn't a slashing threat. Our bigs can't do anything away from the rim. Vik is the only legitimate multi-level threat when he's healthy and his head is in the right place. He can score from midrange, get inside, and pass the ball. We certainly missed his production in the second half of the season.

On to the NIT.

[longtimefan]

Good Morning! Here's your box score:

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-ba...meId/401625443

Starting five had some offensive production issues. Egregious foul differential and some odd officiating last night. We also got hammered on the boards which is weird for this team. All of this equals, we got tired after the 1st 10 minutes or so. I was impressed that we made a run in the 2nd half but you could tell we weren't going to make it all the way back. Three games in three days against a team of that caliber on offense is not a recipe for success. On to post season.

We played tremendous defense in the first half, against a really good offensive team. We played with tremendous energy, but at the time I was worried that we couldn't maintain that level for an entire game, against a team that can pressure so much with so many weapons.

[leeraymond]

We only scored 0.85 points per possession, our second lowest output of the entire season, just ahead of the TCU game. That's not good enough against an average Baylor defense. The Bears had a good gameplan to take away what we do best: offensive rebounding. They played a zone most of the game and kept their big behind our big at all times, leaving the free throw line area wide open but always maintaining box out position. As a result, we only rebounded 22% of our misses, our lowest rate in conference. Aziz, Jamille, and Vik had zero offensive rebounds as a group. We aren't going to beat good teams when that happens. Just like in the first game, it took us too long to figure out the zone. Credit Baylor for a good strategy to turn us into a jump shooting team and eliminate second chances.

Defensively we played well, holding Baylor to 1.03 points per possession on under 45% effective field goals. Holding that offense to a below average output is impressive. The main problem on the defensive side of the ball was again rebounding. We allowed the Bears to grab 41% of their misses. On both ends we were outrebounded by 12.

Our best players were Jizzle and Vik, each putting up 2.2 net points. Jizzle had 10 points from the field on 10 shots and added 2 of 2 from the line, 2 assists, 2 rebounds, a steal, and no turnovers. Vik was 2 of 2 from the field with an assist and a rebound in only 5 minutes. He was able to take advantage of the wide open lane by making his baby hook. A fully healthy Vik playing 30 minutes may have been able to spoil Baylor's gameplan. Newman was the only other player with positive net points. Day Day was our worst player, scoring only 3 points on 7 shots with 4 turnovers. Aziz led in defensive box plus minus with 4 blocks, but he was held scoreless.

It was a good run, until we ran into a coach who exposed the holes in our roster. We've got to get more scoring options, guys who can create offense at multiple levels who aren't so easy to gameplan against. Jizzle and Skillings have the raw ability, but they're both bad shooters. Simas can shoot but isn't a slashing threat. Our bigs can't do anything away from the rim. Vik is the only legitimate multi-level threat when he's healthy and his head is in the right place. He can score from midrange, get inside, and pass the ball. We certainly missed his production in the second half of the season.

On to the NIT.

Good assessment. Baylor's zone changed everything. Because UC is such a bad three-point shooting team, I am surprised that more coaches did not use a zone against UC on the season. Also, why play Thomas so many minutes when clearly he was having a bad day? Those are the types of things that I wonder about with Miller. Also, why not play Lakhin in the second half when points were needed?

It will be very interesting to see how UC plays against teams outside of the BIG 12. I want to see if playing in the BIG 12 has made UC a more competitive program. We will see.

[swilsonsp4]

J'Wan Roberts just went down with a leg injury early in the game with TTU. Helped off by med staff & being examined.

Update: Calf contusion. Likely to retun. He's still a bit gimpy.

[swilsonsp4]

The Red Raiders fought back from two-digits down to tie the game at 37. That's where it came apart. The Cougars are in the midst of a 20-1 run. 57-38.

Earlier in the game, ESPN posted a statement that Houston led the nation in runs of 10 or more consecutive points this season with 35.

Final: UH 82-59. This tourney has been virtually chalk thus far.

[longtimefan]

The Red Raiders fought back from two-digits down to tie the game at 37. That's where it came apart. The Cougars are in the midst of a 20-1 run. 57-38.

Earlier in the game, ESPN posted a statement that Houston led the nation in runs of 10 or more consecutive points this season with 35.

Houston up 70-43, it’s over. Just like last night, it’s hard for a team to maintain the energy against a superior opponent. UC hung for awhile last night, just like Tech tonight.

[bearcatbret]

Game time 5:00 PM (6:00 EST). Here is a game summary. Big 12 basketball tournament preview: UH vs. Iowa State (houstonchronicle.com)
If Houston wins, it will be the first time that a team who just joined a new conference won the regular season and the tournament.

[Lobot]

Crazy game so far. Both teams deflecting everything and crashing the glass.