For a while, the Big 12's struggles in March could easily be discounted as a lack of significant sample size. In my opinion, it is beyond that point and there is something real in play. Two theories and likely a combo of the two:
(1) I think the Big 12 is, top to bottom, the best coaching league in the country. I also firmly believe this results in superior play in November and December, leading to the annual #1 or #2 RPI. The rest of the country catches up throughout the season. This is much akin to teams catching HCBS for a bowl game with 3-5 weeks to prepare that are unable to do so during the week to week grind of the regular season. The result is a league that looks like a 50-50 tournament proposition versus advantaged.
(2) The Big 12 plays as much, or more, of a physical brand of basketball than other conferences. WVU struggled to adapt yesterday. Watching Wichita State and SFA's clean brand of defense translate well in to the tournament. KSU, specifically Angel, struggled with this versus LaSalle. KU's tournament performances (or lack there of) speak volumes. A couple years ago, KU fouled out more players in the tournament than the calendar YTD. The league damns itself letting (hiring refs) a brand of play that is physical and full of collisions, not only in how it beats one another up; it doesn't translate to a much cleaner game we see in the tournament.
Not sure if it is one, the other, both or neither, but some combo of the two makes sense as to the struggles. (1) will ebb and flow in time. (2) is systematic and could be changed. IMO, a change would be welcome as it would help with March struggles as well as make a more enjoyable game to watch.
(1) I think the Big 12 is, top to bottom, the best coaching league in the country. I also firmly believe this results in superior play in November and December, leading to the annual #1 or #2 RPI. The rest of the country catches up throughout the season. This is much akin to teams catching HCBS for a bowl game with 3-5 weeks to prepare that are unable to do so during the week to week grind of the regular season. The result is a league that looks like a 50-50 tournament proposition versus advantaged.
(2) The Big 12 plays as much, or more, of a physical brand of basketball than other conferences. WVU struggled to adapt yesterday. Watching Wichita State and SFA's clean brand of defense translate well in to the tournament. KSU, specifically Angel, struggled with this versus LaSalle. KU's tournament performances (or lack there of) speak volumes. A couple years ago, KU fouled out more players in the tournament than the calendar YTD. The league damns itself letting (hiring refs) a brand of play that is physical and full of collisions, not only in how it beats one another up; it doesn't translate to a much cleaner game we see in the tournament.
Not sure if it is one, the other, both or neither, but some combo of the two makes sense as to the struggles. (1) will ebb and flow in time. (2) is systematic and could be changed. IMO, a change would be welcome as it would help with March struggles as well as make a more enjoyable game to watch.
