Big 12 Hoops Conference Call

Our latest Big 12 Hoops Conference Call is back after a one week hiatus, sorry about that if you tune in for it weekly. This week is a little bit Texas & Kansas heavy along with the three of us looking back on where me totally missed the boat in our preseason outlooks. Let us know your thoughts as well on these topics, enjoy.

(1).Would anything surprise you right now with the K-State basketball team?

(2.) Do you think that Texas will go undefeated in league play?

(3.) What was your biggest preseason prediction mistake?

(4.) Should in your opinion Josh Selby go pro after this year or come back to Kansas?

(5.) How much would you pay for a ticket (hypothetically) to attend a KU-Texas championship game in the Big 12 tournament if it were to happen?

 (1).Would anything surprise you right now with the K-State basketball team?

MP: Is it too mean to say "they make the NCAA Tournament"?

EP: After defeating KU, nothing would surprise me. It's like Charlie Sheen. There really isn't much he could do right now that would make me stop in my tracks. Same with K-State. It's either "oh look, they lost another player." Or "oh look, they won the NCAA championship"  

JL: My first thought is nothing really would surprise me but I guess I will go out on a limb and say that I would be surprised if they drop their next game at home vs Oklahoma.

(2.) Do you think that Texas will go undefeated in league play?

MP: Yes.  But I don't think they'll win the conference tournament if they do.  I would love to see Kansas get a shot at their defense the way the Jayhawks have played since their loss.  

EP: I have tickets to the UT-CU game in Boulder. I'll go on record and say they'll either lose that or the last game of the season in Waco. 

JL: Geez originally I would always answer no and say they will lose somewhere but as I look at the schedule I can't pinpoint a loss. Will say yes they will but kind of agree with Matt if they do go undefeated can see them losing in conference tournament.

(3.) What was your biggest preseason prediction mistake?

MP: Ugh.  K-State at number two; Baylor in the top ten; not believing in Kansas; writing Texas off after last year.  Do I need to keep going?  Looking back the dumbest picks were ignoring the talent on the Jayhawks and Longhorns.  

EP: Kim English. He has been solid, but not spectacular this season. His PPG production has dropped, but his assist average has gone up. I think I had him as first team All Big 12? Either that or second, but with his decreased production it would be tough to put him on either squad.

 JL: Well off the top of my head I remember saying something to the effect of watch out for Freddy Asprilla as possible newcomer of year candidate. I probably also under-ranked Texas A&M.

(4.) Should in your opinion Josh Selby go pro after this year or come back to Kansas?

MP: Depends on the labor situation.  I think he's a middle-of-the-first-round type of player, even with recent struggles, and I'm not about to tell someone to turn down millions of dollars to come back to school for an extra year.  I think he'd benefit from an extra year, but I don't think he can improve his draft stock dramatically.  Basically, I'd love to see him come back and play.

EP: My issue with Selby in the pros is that he's a 6-2 guard. If you're a 6-2 guard you need to be either the fastest guy on the court, have the best vision, or be able to score 40 on any night. I don't see him as having any of those traits. There is something about getting paid though... and athletes are the proverbial "one injury away" from making minimum wage versus millions.

JL: Well if the NBA people tell him he is still a 1^st rounder which from everything you read he still is, then I say he should go. His play hasn't exactly warranted that type of hype though, in a perfect world he would come back to KU and work on his game a little which if there is a lockout he might do that.

(5.) How much would you pay for a ticket (hypothetically) to attend a KU-Texas championship game in the Big 12 tournament if it were to happen?

MP:  Depending on where my seats were, quite a bit.  I'd probably bring 150 bucks to the game and hope to scalp something on the sideline in the upper deck.  Not that scalping is legal or happens...especially when Kansas plays. 

EP: With KU's loss on Monday they need to win the Big 12 to secure a one seed. I think that if Texas makes it to the B12 championship unscathed, win or lose, they are a one seed. Not that Texas will try any less, but KU will have something to prove. Plus the game's in KC, so KU fans will be a plenty. For good seats I'd probably dish out $150 like Matt said.

JL: I would say $150-$200 is a pretty good figure but my guess is that would get nowhere near a "good" seat.  That would be a fun game and create a fun atmosphere across the street from Sprint Center in the Power & Light bar district there.