The margin of difference between Kansas and Missouri is not only four points--the combined difference of the two scores this season--but is basically even in the key statistical categories when you review the box scores.
On Saturday, the foul disparity went in Kansas' favor at 22-16 but in Columbia on February 4, the fouls went MU's way, 22 to only 10. The other stat categories are basically a dead heat between the two schools over their two regular season match-ups this season:
Fouls: Kansas - 36, Missouri - 32
Rebounds: Kansas - 60, Missouri - 59
Offensive rebounds: Kansas - 16, Missouri - 14
Assists: Kansas - 28, Missouri - 35
Turnovers: Kansas - 24, Missouri - 23
Three-point shooting: Kansas - 42.9%, Missouri - 41.2%
So, what can we expect should these two hook-up for a third time in the final of the Big 12 postseason tournament? Even though KU's Jeff Withey was hobbled with an ankle injury, it's clear that Kansas plays better against Mizzou when they go to a four guard lineup. All of the talk of "playing bigger" is good, philosophically, but has not happened. Kansas was at its most effective when they had Tyshawn Taylor, Elijah Johnson, Conner Teahan, Travis Releford and Thomas Robinson on the floor with Kevin Young as the sixth man.
The other key "watch out," should a third match-up occur, is stamina. A third match-up will mean that both KU and MU won their prior two games in the tournament. Neither team is deep and several guys were forced to play 35 minutes or more in both games--Robinson went 35 and 38, Taylor went 38 and 44, Kim English went 38 and 44 and Marcus Denmon went 39 and 44. Johnson went all 40 minutes in game one for Kansas; Michael Dixon went for 42 for Mizzou on Saturday. The semi-finals of the tournament are on Friday night meaning a less than 24 hour turnaround for the Saturday afternoon final, which begins at 5:00 p.m.
Here's hoping that these teams do, indeed, play a third "rubber match" on the neutral floor of Kansas City's Sprint Center. It would be an atmosphere rivaling that of the Kansas-Kansas State finale in 2010.
The week ahead in Big 12 mens hoops:
- Kansas has a quick turnaround and hard road trip for a Big Monday match-up tonight versus Oklahoma State. The Jayhawks then return to Lawrence for Senior Night, this Saturday, versus Texas. All KU needs is one win to win the conference title outright.
- Missouri finishes with Iowa State, at home, on Wednesday night and then finishes with Texas Tech in Lubbock on Saturday.
- Baylor and Iowa State play on Saturday in Ames--both teams are tied for third in the conference.
- Is Kansas State playing itself on to the bubble of the NCAA Tournament? The Wildcats should be in the tournament but stand 8-8 in the league and finish up this week with Texas A&M on the road and Oklahoma State at home. Saturday's loss to Iowa State, at home, was huge given that the Wildcats are playing for seeding in the Big Dance and now finish with two very tough games.
- Likewise, what about Texas? The Longhorns are also 8-8 in the league and should finish the regular season 9-9 given a home game against Oklahoma on Wednesday and the road trip to Kansas on Saturday.
- Fred Hoiberg of Iowa State isn't getting enough Coach-of-the-Year mentions. "The Mayor" has molded a team around Royce White and has beaten Kansas State twice, upset Kansas at home, and won the non-conference rivalry game against Iowa. Plus, the Cyclones will finish in the top four of the Big 12 thus earning a bye into round two of the post-season conference tournament.
- Is there a better sixth man in the country than Dixon of Missouri?
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