The high/low

Self says Big 12 too early to call despite surprise start

By Rustin Dodd

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

In his fifth season at Kansas, Bill Self has learned some valuable lessons about the Big 12 Conference. Lesson number one: keep an open mind.

“Nothing in league play surprises me,” Self said Tuesday during the weekly Big 12 teleconference.













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Big 12 Conference Overall standings, conference standings

Kansas 18-0, 3-0 Baylor 15-2, 3-0 Kansas State 12-4, 2-0 Texas 15-3, 2-1 Iowa State 12-6, 2-1 Texas A&M 15-3, 1-2 Oklahoma 13-5, 1-2 Missouri 11-7, 1-2 Texas Tech 10-7, 1-2 Colorado 9-8, 1-2 Oklahoma State 10-8, 1-3 Nebraska 11-5, 0-3

But isn’t Self just a little surprised that Big 12 conference stalwarts Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Missouri are 1-2 in conference play, while Baylor, a usual Big 12 bottom-feeder, is 3-0 and tied with Kansas atop the Big 12 standings?

“It’s still early, and we shouldn’t read too much into any of the records right now,” Self said.

After all, Self pointed out that Kansas started 1-2 in the Big 12 in 2005-06 and went on to share the league title with Texas, but that doesn’t mean that other people aren’t surprised. Texas and Texas A&M, the two teams expected to compete with Kansas for the league title are sitting at fourth and sixth in the Big 12 standings. It’s Kansas State, who is sitting at 2-0 with victories against Oklahoma and Texas A&M, and Baylor who are challenging Kansas for the Big 12 lead.

Self said he didn’t think you could count out the Aggies and the Longhorns.

“A&M and Texas will still be challenging for it, and K-State all along we thought would have a great chance,” Self said.

Other surprises include Nebraska, who followed up a strong nonconference season by starting 0-3 in the conference, and Iowa State. The Cyclones have defied expectations by starting 2-1 with home victories against Missouri and Oklahoma State.

“It’s still early,” Texas coach Rick Barnes said during his conference call. “I think if you look around the country the first couple weeks of conference play, there’s a lot up in the air about who’s this or who’s that. Some people have had a little more favorable schedule, possibly, than others. That’s why as you play the season out, it’ll all play out.”

But one thing most people can agree on is that the Big 12 is stronger than last year. With Kansas, Texas A&M, Texas, and Baylor in the AP Top 25 poll, and Kansas State and Oklahoma receiving votes, the Big 12 is getting more attention.

“From top to bottom, you could make a strong case that this is as good as there is in America,” Self said.

—Edited by Russell Davies

 

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