Players of week
Overall: Kansas State guard Denis Clemente. The senior from Bayamon, Puerto Rico, had 23 points in a win over Nebraska and 30 points and seven rebounds in a win over Iowa State.
Rookie: Oklahoma point guard Tommy Mason-Griffin. The freshman from Houston had 24 points, five rebounds and four assists in a win over Texas.
Tourney talk
Bracket speculation for the NCAA tournament goes wild in February. Here is some of the Big 12’s history to base at-large bids on:
• Every team with an 11-5 conference record or better has been selected.
• Of the 16 teams that were 10-6, 13 got in. One that didn’t was Nebraska in 1999.
• Of the 17 teams that were 9-7, 14 got in.
• Of the six teams that were 8-8, one got in (Texas A&M 2007-08).
Overall, since the tournament expanded to 64 teams 25 years ago, the number of at-large bids to schools nationwide with below-.500 league records totals 33. Two of those went to Iowa State (1992 at 5-9; 1988 at 6-8).
Stat of the week
Best wishes to Iowa State this week. The Cyclones have road trips to Missouri and Kansas. Those two schools have won 87 of their past 88 home games.
Quote sheet
• Iowa State coach Greg McDermott, when he drew no questions on Monday’s Big 12 teleconference: “That’s OK. I didn’t have any good answers anyway.’’
• Missouri coach Mike Anderson on the value of expanding the NCAA tournament: “If more teams get to the tournament, it’s going to save a lot of coaches’ jobs.’’
• Texas coach Rick Barnes on anyone tracking down Kansas with the Jayhawks’ lead at the halfway point of Big 12 play: “It’s pretty much impossible. I don’t see them dropping three games. They would have to do it. They’ll have to give it back.”
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