If you cannot see the audio player below, please upgrade your browser to the most current version by using one of these links:
Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Opera
Preview of Wednesday's Big 12 Opener
Brian's Take:
As we get set for Wednesday's Big 12 tourney opener vs. West Virginia, here's a quick preview and look back at the last meeting -- a 66-64 Mountaineer victory in Morgantown. I really thought this game was Tech's best road effort of the year (yes, even better than the 9-point win in Fort Worth). Dusty Hannahs and Jaye Crockett hit some incredibly clutch shots down the stretch, and ultimately, four Red Raiders finished in double-figures (a rarity in league play) to help Tech almost overcome a huge foul discrepancy.
It's tough to win on the road when the home team shoots 23 more free throws than you do -- (in fact, WV hit 6 more FT's than Tech even attempted) -- and your entire front-line fouls out with more than 2 and half minutes to go. That was Tech's burden to bare on that afternoon in Morgantown though. Battling West Virginia senior Deniz Killicli proved costly, as Jordan Tolbert fouled out with 6:12 to go, Dejan Kravic was next at the 4:46 mark, and then Crockett followed at 2:31.
Chris Walker's bunch displayed a valiant effort to fight through that adversity and almost pulled the upset. They'll hope for better results Wednesday and less foul trouble in the third meeting in the series. Catch the action on the Texas Tech Sports Network from Learfield Sports beginning at 5:30.
My final All Big 12 ballot:Sunday afternoon I submitted my All Big 12 Ballot for the awards put out by the leagues radio announcers. It reads:
All Big 12 1st team:
Jeff Withey, Kansas
Ben McLemore, Kansas
Marcus Smart, Oklahoma State
Rodney McGruder, Kansas State
Pierre Jackson, Baylor
All Big 12 2nd team:
Romero Osby, Oklahoma
Will Clyburn, Iowa State
Angel Rodriguez, Kansas State
Travis Releford, Kansas
Markel Brown, Oklahoma State
Player of the Year: Marcus Smart, Oklahoma State
Coach of the Year: Bruce Weber, Kansas State
Freshman of the Year: Ben McLemore, Kansas (Because Smart got POY)
Sixth man: Tyrus McGee, Iowa State (strong consideration to Tech's Jaye Crockett)
Newcomer of the Year: Will Clyburn, Iowa State
Defensive Player of the Year: Jeff Withey (2 years in a row)
Game of the Year: Kansas at Iowa State