Busting Brackets
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Big 12 Basketball: Kansas State, Texas Tech leads before conference tournament

By Jason Kinander

AMES, IA - MARCH 9: Texas Tech Red Raiders Tariq Owens #11, Davide Moretti #25, Deshawn Corprew #3, Kyler Edwards #0 run off the court after defeating the Iowa State Cyclones 80-73 in the second half of play at Hilton Coliseum on March 9, 2019 in Ames, Iowa. The Texas Tech Red Raiders won 80-73 over the Iowa State Cyclones. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA - MARCH 9: Texas Tech Red Raiders Tariq Owens #11, Davide Moretti #25, Deshawn Corprew #3, Kyler Edwards #0 run off the court after defeating the Iowa State Cyclones 80-73 in the second half of play at Hilton Coliseum on March 9, 2019 in Ames, Iowa. The Texas Tech Red Raiders won 80-73 over the Iowa State Cyclones. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /
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LUBBOCK, TX – FEBRUARY 23: Head coach Bill Self talks with Quentin Grimes #5 of the Kansas Jayhawks during the second half of the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on February 23, 2019 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Kansas 91-62. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX – FEBRUARY 23: Head coach Bill Self talks with Quentin Grimes #5 of the Kansas Jayhawks during the second half of the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders on February 23, 2019 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Kansas 91-62. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /

3. Kansas Jayhawks (23-8, 12-6 Conference Play)

The Good

For any other team in the Big 12, this would’ve been a GREAT season. However, to Kansas’ standards, it was not viewed as such.

Believe it or not, there were some very good moments for Kansas this season. The Jayhawks beat tournament teams in Michigan State, Marquette, Wofford and Villanova in non-conference play, and went undefeated at home in conference play.

Additionally, the newcomers stepped up big for Kansas. Transfer forward Dedric Lawson nearly won the Big 12 Player of the Year, and freshman guard Ochai Agbaji emerged as a superstar after removing his redshirt at the start of conference play.

The Bad

The fact that Kansas’ streak of 14-consecutive Big 12 regular season titles came to an end this season just exemplifies the bad this season.

Kansas went on a 1-5 stretch on the road midway through the season, as the Jayhawks glaring inexperience really showed.

That inexperience took hits throughout the season, starting with the loss of center Udoka Azubuike to a hand injury just one game into conference play, and continuing with senior guard Lagerald Vick taking a leave of absence midway through conference play. Vick will not return this season.

The Bottom Line

A regression from last year’s Final Four team was excepted considering the losses and lack of experience, but I don’t think anyone expected Kansas’ streak to come to an end this season. Kansas is still very good, but they’re as thin as ever, and could be in big danger this postseason.

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