Self, Gillispie upset at perception of Big 12

[Lzen]

By Tim Bisel
The Capital-Journal
Published Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Texas A&M coach Billy Gillispie took a shot Monday at the Big 12 on behalf of Kansas State.

"I'm really disappointed in the way that people are perceiving our league, and I think our league doesn't do as good a job as our competitors do marketing our league," Gillispie said during the Big 12 coaches teleconference.

"We're talking about a team in our league (K-State) that needs to win a game in the conference tournament and they've already got 10 wins? Are you kidding?"

Gillispie's incredulity stems from speculation that teams such as K-State and Texas Tech could be left out of the NCAA Tournament despite having 20-win seasons and winning league records.

Gillispie didn't offer a specific solution to the marketing issue, other than to say league officials should speak with other conferences about strategies.

"Why are we settling for a certain number of teams in the tournament when everyone else is getting more?" he said. "Nobody's playing better basketball than us, one through 12. I don't know what the answer is, but I know there's got to be a better solution than what it appears we have."

Big 12 commissioner Kevin Weiberg says he understands such frustrations, even shares them, but he also insists the league is doing everything it can to promote teams for postseason play.

Weiberg said the conference markets teams by increasing television exposures — Big 12 teams played 35 games on ESPN or ESPN2 and eight games on CBS or ABC this season — and through the efforts of John Underwood, the associate commissioner for basketball, and the media relations staff.

He also cited the conference's recently negotiated series with the Pac-10 as a successful marketing venture and noted that the league provides NCAA committee members with a "blizzard of information."

"I really think in the Big 12 we do a lot to promote basketball," Weiberg said. "I think the effort we put into it is a good one."

But is it good enough?

This season, the Big 12 was both memorable and marketable for a number reasons.

Texas' Kevin Durant turned in one of the finest season-long performances in the history of college basketball, and Texas A&M's Acie Law wasn't far behind. Tech's Bob Knight became the winningest coach in Division I. Kansas positioned itself for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. K-State made a splash with the hiring of coach Bob Huggins, who immediately restored credibility in a program that hasn't reached the NCAA since 1996.

"You've got so many things that you can sell as a league," KU coach Bill Self said. "But now, all of a sudden, it's, 'Well, is our league that good?'"

With NCAA invitations five days from being awarded, only three Big 12 teams — KU, A&M and Texas — are considered locks to reach the field of 65. A fourth bid likely will be extended to Tech or K-State, but perhaps not both.

That thought leaves league coaches dumbfounded.

"From a coach's perspective, why would K-State still be considered on the bubble by the so-called experts?" Self asked. "And I'm not the biggest K-State fan in the state.

"People saying that K-State's on the bubble, that's a ridiculous statement. If that is because of marketability, I don't know what we can do. But it certainly seems you have the so-called experts saying a lot better things about other leagues than ours, despite teams with very similar resumes."

Coaches cite a number of reasons why at least five Big 12 teams deserve NCAA bids.

• The conference features two teams (KU and A&M) that are ranked among the top 10 and likely to receive No. 1 or No. 2 seeds at the NCAA tourney.

• For the first time in Big 12 history, six teams posted 20-win seasons. KU led the way with a 27-4 record and was followed by A&M at 25-5, Texas at 22-8, K-State at 21-10, Tech at 20-11 and Oklahoma State at 20-10.

• Finally, there's the rub that other conferences, most notably the ACC and Big East, could receive as many as seven or eight NCAA spots.

"Let those people come in this league and go play (on the road) if they think it's so easy," K-State's Huggins said. "This is a hard league. I'd line our league up against them."

Weiberg agreed, saying the conference "is clearly one of the top five or six in the country."

Unfortunately, it isn't recognized that way. According to statistician Ken Pomeroy and others, the Big 12 ranks as the country's seventh-best league in terms of RPI, behind the ACC, SEC, Pac-10, Big Ten, Big East and Missouri Valley.

Much of that results from the conference's poor showing in the nonconference. With six new coaches taking over programs, several teams struggled early before adjusting to new systems.

K-State, for instance, lost by 24 points at New Mexico and by 30 at California before avenging the New Mexico defeat in December and reeling off a seven-game winning streak later in the season.

"Our kids were learning, and that's the case in almost half of this league," Huggins said. "It's like bringing in 13 new guys. I think that had a great effect on this league RPI."

Weiberg, a former NCAA committee member, said such factors will be considered and teams will be evaluated for their entire body of work.

"I know coaches get frustrated about teams with winning conference records being so-called bubble teams," Weiberg said. "But I do think the process is going to take care of some of that, and we are all doing our best for the conference."

Tim Bisel can be reached at (785) 295-1289 or tim.bisel@cjonline.com.

http://cjonline.com/stories/030607/haw_154152231.shtml

[StcChief]

Originally Posted by Natty_Light_Man

Playing conference games for the Big 12 teams is a trial in and of itself. The RPI is fine but when your matched up to play Texas twice, Kansas, Texas A & M and other possible strong teams in the Big 12 how many ranked teams back to back to back should a team have to face.

I agree the conference is not as tough as previous years but there are several teams down from previous years. Yes they could have scheduled tougher Non conf. games but then been blown away because teams like Okl. Okl state play to their potential.

Kansas State and Texas Tech. both should make it to the big dance!

yeah. playing tough non-conf games just gets you L's
away. But strength of schedule could go up....
crap shot for tourney selection later.

[StcChief]

Originally Posted by leviw

Creighton would have been a good start.

yeah. We have been iffy in MVC tourney in past. Why???

but go couple rounds in Big Dance.

I don't see us against Creighton (would be nice, that would be final 4) we won't be in same bracket.

[leviw]

Originally Posted by StcChief

yeah. We have been iffy in MVC tourney in past. Why???

but go couple rounds in Big Dance.

I don't see us against Creighton (would be nice, that would be final 4) we won't be in same bracket.

If you're a mid-major legit team, you win your conference tournament.

No, they won't play Creighton again. I was just pointing out that they should have beat them in StL.

[irishjayhawk]

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

Big 12 coaches should have learned from Mack Brown about whining... it makes you look silly.

I wholeheartedly agree about Mack Brown and whining. However, I think this is a different scenario. In Brown's case he was lobbying his time after being defeated by a much lesser opponent. In this case, it is coaches arguing on behalf of the LEAGUE, not one specific team.

On the basic principle, the Big XII is underrated and the ACC is overrated. Having said that, the ACC is still superior, overall, than the Big XII, but it can't stop them from being overrated and underrated respectively.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

I'm surprised nobody has pointed out to young Mecca the fact that K-State beat USC quite handily.

Stirring the pot...

Mecca's only a fan of USC football under Pete Carroll because they're winners.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Lzen

Well, Bucknell was a choke job. Not much I can say to defend that. Bradley, I suppose could be called a choke, as well. However, that Kansas team was very young (3 freshman and 2 sophomores starters) and Bradley had a couple NBA players on that roster. I am not talking about the MVC here. I think that league has proven over the past several years that they are legit. That being said, I don't think they will get more than 2 teams this year.

Dude, when a team is seeded #4 and the opponent is seeded #13 and #4 loses, IT'S A CHOKE JOB. It doesn't matter the age of the players on the court.

For two years running, Self has done a horrific job of preparing his team to play in the NCAA Tournament. Let's just hope he doesn't go for the hat trick.

[Terribilis]

Originally Posted by Saulbadguy

Ok, listen up, and listen good. There is a reason that the Big XII RPI is low:

KANSAS: 2 NON-CON ROAD GAMES, 1 NON-CON ROAD WIN
TEXAS A&M: 2 NON-CON ROAD GAMES, 1 NON-CON ROAD WIN
TEXAS: 2 NON-CON ROAD GAMES, 1 NON-CON ROAD WIN

Let's face it: the top teams in the Big XII and other "BCS" conferences are too big of pussies to schedule true road games. The RPI was adjusted a couple years back to give alot more weight for road games, and conferences like the MVC have taken advantage of that - and have upset alot of good teams on the road.

why should these teams schedule tougher games, if they are getting consistantly high seeds in the tourney, just to help out Kstate or TTech?

[Saulbadguy]

Originally Posted by Terribilis

why should these teams schedule tougher games, if they are getting consistantly high seeds in the tourney, just to help out Kstate or TTech?

You are right, the big conferences should just keep being pussies.

[Stinger]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Dude, when a team is seeded #4 and the opponent is seeded #13 and #4 loses, IT'S A CHOKE JOB. It doesn't matter the age of the players on the court.

Bull**** give credit where credit is due KU got beat. Perhaps just perhaps they were better than KU that day*, and KU didn't choke. To demish a win to the other team is a sorry state of denial.

I do believe, that the #13 Seed Bradley teams that KU LOST too, not gave the game too, went on to beat other teams in the tourney as well.

* Before KU fans bring out the well we would beat them 9 out 10 times crap you only have 1 chance so win or get out.


Disclaimer: this is not a rant against DaneMcCloud.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Stinger

Bull**** give credit where credit is due KU got beat. Perhaps just perhaps they were better than KU that day*, and KU didn't choke. To demish a win to the other team is a sorry state of denial.

I do believe, that the #13 Seed Bradley teams that KU LOST too, not gave the game too, went on to beat other teams in the tourney as well.

* Before KU fans bring out the well we would beat them 9 out 10 times crap you only have 1 chance so win or get out.


Disclaimer: this is not a rant against DaneMcCloud.

No, I thoroughly agree. KU got outcoached and beat. My response was to Lzen's claim that "maybe" KU choked. Regardless of whether you call it a "chokejob" or not, KU got beat two years in a row by Mid-Major teams when it counted.

As I said earlier, I hope they don't go for the Hat Trick.

[chiefsfan987]

These coaches should have kept their mouths shut until the Big XII had a strong showing in the tournament. I tend to think our conference isn't very good and that the 3 or 4 bids that we get is about right. If the Missouri Valley conference has a higher RPI and are only getting 3, why should we get more?

[Terribilis]

Originally Posted by Saulbadguy

You are right, the big conferences should just keep being pussies.

I dont see where Kstate is leading the charge for tougher schedules...
maybe KSU should start worrying about beating New Mexico or Colorado state and quit blaming KU and Texas.

[kstater]

Originally Posted by Terribilis

I dont see where Kstate is leading the charge for tougher schedules...
maybe KSU should start worrying about beating New Mexico or Colorado state and quit blaming KU and Texas.

Where has anyone blamed KU and Texas? I beleive it we KU and Texas's coaches who made the comments.

[Saulbadguy]

Originally Posted by Terribilis

I dont see where Kstate is leading the charge for tougher schedules...
maybe KSU should start worrying about beating New Mexico or Colorado state and quit blaming KU and Texas.

Post #49, dipshit.

[leviw]

Originally Posted by chiefsfan987

These coaches should have kept their mouths shut until the Big XII had a strong showing in the tournament. I tend to think our conference isn't very good and that the 3 or 4 bids that we get is about right. If the Missouri Valley conference has a higher RPI and are only getting 3, why should we get more?

Whether it's genuinely good or not has nothing to do with the coaches politicking for it. It happens every year by one BCS conference or another, because a computer system gives it a bad rep, and they have to defend itself.

Plus, this coaching business is a close fraternity. They do this to help out. When the coaches of the top teams in the conference are sticking up for and making a case for the bubble teams, it does nothing but help the bubble teams' perception.