Big 12 teams to beat

By Ryan Noonan Sports Central Columnist

The Big 12 seems somewhat like musical chairs this season. With everyone beating everyone, it looks like the team in first place when the music stops gets to take home the prize.

Missouri beat Oklahoma this past week, knocking them out of top spot in the Big 12, so perhaps Mizzou has a claim on the team to beat.

But wait, Texas knocked off Missouri, so Texas should be the team to beat.

Then again, Oklahoma State beat Texas.

Hang on, Texas Tech took down Oklahoma State.

Just a second, Texas A&M has a win over Texas Tech.

But, Kansas crushed A&M.

Of course, Oklahoma destroyed Kansas.

But, like I said, Missouri has already beaten Oklahoma.

So who's the real team to beat in the Big 12?

Let's take a look at the teams who have a shot, or think they have a shot, at standing when the music stops playing.

(Note: Some of these teams are out of contention to win the Big 12, but they are not out of contention to be "the Best Team.")

Kansas Jayhawks

It's a complete mess. Kansas is currently at the head of the class, with a one-game lead in the Big 12, but they still have to play Oklahoma State, Texas Tech and at Missouri before their season is finished.

The Jayhawks have looked incredible during stretches. In their game against Texas, they looked like a team that will be competing for a national title. On the other hand, in the first half of the game against Oklahoma, they looked like they wouldn't get out of the first round of the NIT. Which team shows up down the stretch is anyone's guess.

Oklahoma Sooners

Oklahoma looked like they were the cream of the crop in the Big 12 after rolling past Kansas on Sunday, then they come out and fall on their face against a Missouri team that can't decide whether it wants to run with the big boys or hide in the corner.

Oklahoma State Cowboys

OSU started off with guns blazing. They hold wins over Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Texas Tech and Michigan State. Then again, they've lost to Baylor. I mean, I was under the impression if you lost to Baylor, you get kicked out of the league.

Texas Longhorns

Possibly the best team in the conference one night, the most overrated the next. How is it that the team will crush Missouri, then lose to Kansas? Beat Oklahoma State, then lose to Colorado? Sneak past Oklahoma and Texas Tech, then lose to OSU? At times, they've looked indestructible. But judgment day is coming and March 8th -- they go to Oklahoma to play the Sooners on their court. Win and they're legit, lose and they're just another good Big 12 team.

Missouri Tigers

How does a team that started out 10-1 find themselves labeled as underachievers? Well, they've lost the games they should lose. At Kansas, at Texas, at Syracuse, at Oklahoma State. But they've also lost the games they should win against teams like Colorado and Texas A&M. Their only true big win so far this season was the upset of Oklahoma, but if Missouri really wants to make any noise in the postseason, they'll need to put off-court distractions away and focus on basketball.

Texas Tech Red Raiders

There is never a dull moment when Bobby Knight is around and that is true of this year, as well. At 16-8 with games remaining against Texas and Kansas, Knight is going to have to pull the rabbit out of his hat if he intends to make the NCAA tournament this season.

With only one true quality win (over Oklahoma State) and a good win over Minnesota early in the season, Tech is looking more like serious contender in the NIT than an upset victim waiting to happen in the NCAA tourney.

Colorado Buffalos

They're not that good. They're 14-1 on their home court, but they've only won 16 games. They've beaten Kansas, Texas, and Missouri on their home court, but when they've had to travel, I think they lost to St. Mary's School for the Blind. You remember St. Mary's School for the Blind, right? It's the same school K-State schedules every year in football.

If the Big 12 tournament was being held at the University of Colorado, they'd be dancing into the tournament, but it's not, so they're not.

Player of the Year?

To make matters even worse, what are coaches going to do when it comes to voting for Big 12 Player of the Year?

There are four players worthy of being dubbed "All-American" on a national scale, so how do you choose between them to pick one guy to the conference's clear-cut best player?

Texas' T.J. Ford could be National Player of the Year, but then again, so could Oklahoma's Hollis Price. And the Jayhawks sport two All-American's in Nick Collison and Kirk Heinrich. Anyone of these four guys could be Player of the Year.

This has been a confusing year for the Big 12 and nothing is settled yet. With another 10 days of basketball yet to be played before the season is done, look for another round of great games and big upsets.

You want a prediction? I see Oklahoma walking out with the Big 12 title, but Texas winning the conference tournament.

And in the end, it will Texas playing for a national championship.

Article courtesy of Sports Central.