Big 12 Notebook
by Mitch Schneider
Colorado’s Mountain in the Middle
Memo to all Big 12 basketball teams: Colorado center David Harrison has officially arrived.
The sophomore seven-footer notched his first-ever triple double – second in CU history -as the Buffs cruised to a 107-74 win over Stetson (Fla.) University on Sunday night.
Harrison tallied 31 points, 17 rebounds and 10 blocked shots in 30 minutes of play. The Stetson Hatters (yes, the Hatters) had absolutely no answer for the Buffalo big man… though most teams without a player over 6-8 probably wouldn’t, as well.
Harrison just might be the most dominant player to ever man the post for Colorado. Unfortunately for the Buffs, this season is likely the last Harrison will play in a CU uniform, as the center will almost certainly turn pro after this year.
As the great b-ball poet Shakespeare once penned: ‘Tis better to have dunked and lost, than to have never dunked at all.
Going North by Playing South
The Texas A&M Aggies, losers of 10 straight to close out the 2001-02 season, started the new campaign on a winning note. A&M routed Texas Southern 70-55, with senior guard Bernard King pacing the Aggies with 19 points.
The win was coach Melvin Watkins’ 40th in his fifth season at College Station, and 82nd of his coaching career. Watkins needs just 706 more wins to catch Texas Tech’s Bobby Knight, and 621 to equal Oklahoma State’s Eddie Sutton.
Don’t worry, Mel. The Aggies still have Prairie View, Louisiana-Monroe and Centenary left on their schedule. That’s three more wins for ya.
That’s the sport with the round ball, right?
While Texas has always had a decent basketball program, the Longhorns have always been known for their football prowess… until today.
Sorry, Chris Simms, but the UT b-ball team has displaced its pigskin counterpart as top dog down in Austin. After upending No. 18 Georgia, 77-71, last week, Texas earned a school-best No. 3 ranking in the latest AP poll (the football team checks in at No. 11).
The ‘Horns will probably occupy the third-spot for another three weeks or so. However, come Dec. 15, Texas and its high ranking will thoroughly be tested by No. 1 Arizona at Tucson.
Remember to leave the shoulder pads at home, fellas.
Pro and Con-ferences
Through Sunday, the Big 12 conference has posted a 14-5 record (74%) overall this season. Nine teams have winning records, eight teams are undefeated and only two teams have yet to notch a victory (Kansas State and Iowa State, though the Cyclones still haven’t played an official game).
By comparison, the ACC is a perfect 10-0 (100%), the SEC is 14-3 (82%), the Pac 10 is 9-2 (82%) and the Big Ten is 9-4 (69%).
While the ACC may currently sit at the head of the class, the Big 12 is having plenty of fun near the back (with three teams in the Top-10, compared to just one for the ACC).
Moral to this story: Good grades will only take you so far.
Intriguing match-ups of the week
Tuesday, Nov. 26 – Texas A&M at Miami (Fla.)
Wednesday, Nov. 27 – Colorado at New Mexico State
Saturday, Nov. 30 – Seton Hall at Texas
