Tag: Big 12 Conference

No. 17 Oklahoma State walks off No. 21 Texas to take the series

9th inning struggles cost Texas the ballgame on Sunday.

No. 17 Oklahoma State walked off No. 21 Texas 4-3 to earn a crucial Big 12 series victory.

9th inning struggles cost Texas the ballgame on Sunday.

Up 3-2 in the top half of the ninth, Texas loaded the bases with no outs looking to add some insurance runs. Instead, Jared Thomas stuck out swinging and Mitchell Daly hit into a double play to end the frame scoreless.

David Pierce then turned to closer Zane Morehouse to record the final three outs. Morehouse got the leadoff batter the flyout before giving up a single and three consecutive walks to tie the game. Oklahoma State’s Nolan Schubart drilled a hard single into right field to send the Longhorns home disappointed.

Texas’ bats were held quiet aside from a three-run homerun from Garret Guillmette in the first inning. Cowboys’ pitching did an excellent job of keeping Texas’ from stringing hits together all weekend long.

Up next for Texas is a midweek matchup back home against Air Force on Tuesday.

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Big 12 Softball standings after first weekend of conference play

Taking a look at the updated Big 12 standings and what’s on deck for the conference this weekend.

The first weekend of Big 12 play saw the top of the conference hold serve as Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Texas each pulled off three-game sweeps on the opening weekend of Big 12 play.

There were a few tight ball games in Austin, Ames, and Stillwater, but the talent among the teams ranked in the top 10 was too much for Baylor, Texas Tech, and Iowa State, who dropped to 0-3 in Big 12 play.

This week features more intriguing matchups, headlined by the top 10 clash between Oklahoma and Texas. The Red River Rivals will meet at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium in a rematch of last year’s Women’s College World Series championship.

Here’s a look at the updated standings ahead of week two in Big 12 play.

Gonzaga gets knocked out of March Madness — now the Big 12 watch begins

Is Gonzaga entering its last season as a member of the West Coast Conference? Is the Big 12 about to bring GU into the fold?

Gonzaga’s 2023 NCAA Tournament run ended on Saturday in a blowout loss to Connecticut. Now that the Zags’ season is over, get ready for a fresh round of speculation surrounding the school’s future, and more particularly, a possible move to the Big 12 Conference.

While the Pac-12 considers adding San Diego State and maybe also SMU, the Big 12 and its commissioner, Brett Yormark, have had conversations with Gonzaga administrators. This isn’t necessarily the Big 12’s number one point of focus, but it’s certainly one of several agenda items the conference is continuing to evaluate as it imagines its future.

It’s a good time for some updates on GU’s situation relative to the Big 12, along with a few reminders about the Big 12’s changing landscape and plans, and to see where Gonzaga might fit within them:

Big 12 Conference to partner with historic Rucker Park

The Big 12 announced a partnership with historic Rucker Park.

Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark certainly hasn’t forgotten his New York roots. Ahead of Kansas State’s Sweet 16 matchup against Michigan State in Madison Square Garden, the conference announced a partnership that will bring Big 12 basketball to historic Rucker Park.

This announcement comes off the heels of the Big 12 announcing a conference-wide NFL pro day at the Dallas Cowboys practice facilities in Frisco, Texas, near conference headquarters.

“Rucker Park is one of the great landmarks in basketball and is a cultural icon – we are excited to be able to bring Big 12 Basketball to its court,” said Commissioner Brett Yormark in a statement from the conference. “We are committed to growing the Conference’s footprint in a variety of ways, and we want kids across New York City to experience Big 12 Basketball first-hand.”

“Big 12 coaching clinics at New York City’s Rucker Park is an iconic collaboration,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “I’m thrilled that through this partnership, our young people will have the chance to learn from some of the best in the business, bringing Big 12 basketball right to their front door.”

One thing Yormark has shown in his short tenure is that he has the propensity to push the envelope.

How each Big 12 team fared in the first weekend of March Madness

Only Texas and Kansas State are alive in the Big 12.

The Big 12 Conference sent seven teams to the NCAA Tournament this weekend. Despite being regarded as the nation’s top league in college basketball this season, only two Big 12 schools are off to the Sweet 16.

Texas and Kansas State are still alive after winning their first two matchups in March Madness. The Longhorns took down Colgate and Penn State, while Kansas State topped Montana State and Kentucky in a thriller.

Texas and Kansas State took care of business but other top-seeded Big 12 schools did not play up to expectations.

Kansas’ national title defense fell short in the second round as the Jayhawks were upset by Arkansas. Baylor ran into a red-hot Creighton team in the Round of 32. The Bears dropped its second-round matchup for the second straight season.

Here is a complete look at the results for each Big 12 team in the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament.

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Ceiling and floor for each Big 12 team in the NCAA Tournament

The battle-tested programs of the Big 12 are ready to compete in March Madness.

March Madness is officially upon us as the 2023 NCAA Tournament bracket was revealed on Sunday afternoon.

Seven Big 12 Conference schools are featured in this season’s field, including four teams as top three seeds. The 70% mark of programs who qualified for the tournament is among the highest for any conference in the entire nation.

The last three national championship games have all featured a Big 12 program. Kansas (2022) and Baylor (2021) won it all, while Texas Tech (2019) finished second.

Kansas earned a No. 1 seed after winning the Big 12 regular season crown. The Jayhawks are in a great position to defend their national title led by a trio of excellent guards.

Texas sits as a No. 2 seed coming off a Big 12 tournament title run. Baylor and Kansas State both got slotted as a No. 3 seed, while TCU (No. 6), Iowa State (No. 6) and West Virginia (No. 9) round out the field.

The Big 12 has been the most competive league in college basketball this year. The battle-tested programs are ready to compete for a national title in the coming weeks.

Here is a look at each Big 12 school’s ceiling and floor entering March Madness.

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No. 7 Texas seeks Big 12 tournament title against No. 3 Kansas

Texas and Kansas have been the best two teams in the conference all season long. 

No. 7 Texas and No. 3 Kansas meet for the third time this season with the Big 12 tournament title on the line. Texas is looking for its first Big 12 tournament championship since the 2021 season.

The Longhorns took down Oklahoma State and TCU on the way to the championship, while Kansas beat West Virginia and Iowa State.

After splitting the regular season series, this serves as a rubber match between the top 10 schools.

Kansas opens as a two-point favorite in this matchup between the two Big 12 powers. Texas is likely to be without starting forward Timmy Allen for the third straight game.

Texas and Kansas have been the best two teams in the conference all season long. Both teams are well-positioned for a high seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Expect an exciting finish to the Big 12 basketball season.

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Brett Yormark, Big 12 are ‘focused’ on more expansion

Don’t expect the Big 12 to sit back and wait on more college expansion and realignment. Brett Yormark is “focused” on adding to the conference.

One of the more active conferences when it comes to realignment and expansion as of late has been the Big 12. Commissioner Brett Yormark hasn’t shied away from it.

The newest commissioner wasted no time when he brought Cincinnati, Central Florida, Houston, and BYU into the fold. All four teams are set to join for the 2023 college football season. For one season there will be 14 teams in the conference and then back down to 12 in 2024 as the Oklahoma Sooners and Texas Longhorns leave for the SEC.

But don’t expect Yormark to stop there.

“The third priority for me has been to explore expansion for all the right reasons,” Yormark stated.

“As I’ve said before, it’s gotta be additive. It’s gotta be accretive. But we are focused on it. We’re exploring every and all possibilities. I say that while also saying that I love the composition and the makeup of this conference going forward.”

“I love the four new schools that are coming in July (and) the continuing eight. I think we’re in a great place. But if there’s a chance to get better, it’s incumbent on me as the commissioner to explore those possibilities. And that’s exactly what I’m doing.”

Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah have been the main targets for more expansion in the Big 12. With the Pac-12 losing UCLA and USC to the Big Ten, they have been the target for the Big 12. Not to mention they have yet to sign a new TV deal.

If the Pac-12 doesn’t get a new deal in place and add potential schools to the conference, expect other conferences to look at some of the big names out west including Oregon and Washington.

It could be open season for the Pac-12 and the Big 12 is looking to go big game hunting.

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Bracket for the 2023 Big 12 basketball tournament revealed

Texas earns the No. 2 seed in the Big 12 tournament.

The college basketball regular season ended on Sunday, and teams are gearing up for conference tournaments.

The Big 12 basketball tournament is set to be one of the more competitive in the nation. Many around the country consider the league the best from top to bottom.

Kansas earned the top seed after winning the regular-season crown once again. The Jayhawks have been the most successful team in the history of the Big 12 tournament, cutting down the nets 12 times since 1997.

The tournament format is a single-elimination bracket. The top six teams in the conference receive a bye into the quarterfinals. The tournament champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

While the Big 12 likely has at least six teams safely in the NCAA Tournament field, the lower seeds are eyeing that automatic bid spot to prolong their seasons.

Here is a look at the 2023 Big 12 tournament bracket, including each game’s dates, times and TV channels.

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Big 12 Basketball: No. 8 Texas vs. No. 9 Baylor preview and predictions

Texas travels to Waco for a top-10 matchup with Baylor.

An important Big 12 Conference matchup between two top 10 teams is set to take place on Saturday as No. 8 Texas travels to No. 9 Baylor. Continue reading “Big 12 Basketball: No. 8 Texas vs. No. 9 Baylor preview and predictions”