The Daily Athenaeum
Big 12 Tournament Edition
THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
2 | BIG 12 TOURNAMENT
Friday March 7, 2014
OU leaning on Spangler Star trio leads Iowa By Connor Murray Associate Sports Editor @ConnorKMurray
Oklahoma head coach Lon Kruger is no stranger to the NCAA Tournament. Now in his 27th season as a college coach, Kruger has made 14 appearances in the Big Dance as a head coach. This year, Kruger has the No. 23 Oklahoma Sooners primed for another NCAA Tournament run. As the regular season winds down, however, his team’s focus will be on the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City, Mo. Kruger and the Sooners are currently No. 2 in the Big 12 standings and have managed to stay near the top of the conference standings all season. Kruger said one reason for the Sooners’ success this season has been the play of sophomore center and the Big 12’s leading rebounder Ryan Spangler. “Ryan has been fantastic. Obviously he’s a terrific rebounder and has done a very good job for us there,” Kruger said. To prove he is more than just a rebounder, Spangler has averaged scoring 10.1 points per game this season. Kruger said Spangler’s offensive prowess has grown as the season has progressed. “His offensive abilities have improved consistently throughout the year. He’s given us a bunch on the offensive end.” In his first year of playing eligibility since transferring from Gonzaga to Oklahoma, Kruger said Spangler has given his team a lift in the attitude department to go along with his on the floor abilities. “Most important (to the team) is his competitiveness and his toughness. He’s definitely elevated our other guys in those areas,” Kruger said.
WYTHE WOODS/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
Ryan Spangler attempts to block Juwan Staten’s shot earlier this season. “We needed to improve in those areas quite a bit in terms of being more physical and fighting on the defensive end, especially. I think we’ve improved a lot in those areas because of Ryan. Ryan has been at the core of it all the way along.” As the Big 12 regular season winds down, there are four teams – Oklahoma, Texas, Iowa State and Kansas State – vying for the No. 2 position in the conference standings. With such a log jam in the standings, Kruger said he knows it could be difficult for the selection committee to determine which teams should be seeded highest in the NCAA Tournament, but there are some factors that should be given more weight than others. “I’d probably put the greatest significance on the conference finish because it is a true round robin and those teams are
all so closely bunched,” Kruger said. Although his team has shown itself worthy of playing in the postseason all year, Kruger said making a run in the Big 12 Tournament would help set his team apart from the pack. “You can split hairs and rationalize anything but I think if one of the teams emerges … depending on what happens, if one of those teams runs to the championship game and does great in the conference tournament, that might influence it a little bit,” Kruger said. “Those teams are awfully closely lumped.” Depending on how Spangler and the rest of the Sooners finish the regular season, this team could make a run at the Big 12 Tournament Championship in Kansas City. connor.murray@mail.wvu.edu
Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg speaks with a referee earlier this season. By Connor Murray “They have different roles Associate Sports Editor on our team. Both of those @ConnorKMurray guys have a great impact on winning,” Hoiberg said. “I It’s safe to say Iowa State would throw Georges Niang head coach Fred Hoiberg in there as well as a guy who has quickly made a name is an important cog in what for himself in the Big 12 and we’re trying to do to get wins across the nation. on the floor.” Known as “The Mayor” While having raw talent is in Ames, Iowa, Hoiberg has one thing, Hoiberg said what brought respect back to the sets his team’s leaders apart is Cyclones’ basketball pro- their willingness to cast aside gram since he took over for personal accolades and do Greg McDermott in the 2010- what is best for the team. 11 season. “The great thing about it is After leading Iowa State to you’ve got guys that buy into a 16-16 record in his first year it and have the ultimate goal on the job, the former Cy- of winning, and that’s what clone basketball star has led you need if you’re going to his program to three straight have a successful team,” he said. 20-win seasons. Including Dustin Hogue, This year, Hoiberg and the Cyclones have been led by there are four Cyclones that a trio of stars: Melvin Ejim, average scoring in double figDeAndre Kane and Georges ures every game. Niang. While some teams’ sucHoiberg said that although cess is dependent on the perKane and Ejim have received formance of one or two star the majority of attention players, the Cyclones have this year, each player brings gotten significant contribusomething different to the tions from several different table, and they all have one sources this year. thing in common: the ability As the season winds down and postseason awards beto change a game.
KYLE MONROE/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
come a popular topic of discussion, there will be several Cyclones in the conversation for Big 12 Player of the Year and the All-Big 12 team. A First Team All-Big 8 selection in 1995, Hoiberg knows what characteristics a player needs to be recognized as one of the best in the conference. “I think you’ve just got to look at the whole body of work, what they do over the course of the season to help their team win, what they do on the floor to make their teammates better and how they impact the game (overall),” Hoiberg said. While Hoiberg made it clear he would endorse any of his top players for postseason awards, he said he realizes the Big 12 is full of standout players worthy of being recognized. “There are some great players in this league. It’s going to be interesting to see how it all plays out,” he said. “I don’t think you can go wrong with any guy.” connor.murray@mail.wvu.edu
THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
Friday March 7, 2014
BIG 12 TOURNAMENT | 3
Embiid’s health in question as season winds down by amit batra sports editor @batra01
Despite Kansas freshman big man Joel Embiid missing the last two games of the regular season, KU head coach Bill Self doesn’t expect it to affect him in the postseason. The Jayhawks’ Embiid suffered a back injury following a win over TCU earlier this season, but according to Self, he should be able to play in the Big 12 Conference tournament. For the 10th year in a row, Kansas clinched the regular season conference title. According to Self, the doctors encouraged Embiid to rest as it will be the best remedy with this type of injury. Following the injury sustained against TCU, the 7-foot center played the next three games but reinjured his back in a 7265 loss to Oklahoma State Saturday. In that loss to Oklahoma State in Stillwater, Okla.,
Embiid recorded a doubledouble with 13 points and 13 rebounds, going 4-for-6 from the floor in 29 minutes of action. The 7-foot, 250-lb center went a perfect 5-for-5 from the free-throw line and also stacked up the stat sheet with three assists. “I think he could return for the Big 12 tournament,” Self said to ESPN.com. “But it shouldn’t impact the NCAA Tournament. We’ve spoken with experts with this particular injury and have been told the same thing we’ve been told before, rest is the best remedy. It should not be an injury that keeps him out for the rest of the season.” In the previous game against Oklahoma Feb. 24, Embiid had 12 points, 13 rebounds and four steals three blocks. In the Big 12 teleconference earlier this week, Self described the injury as a back strain that seemed to have gotten worse following the Oklahoma State game, but it doesn’t seem
like anything that will affect postseason. “I think (Joel) is OK on long-term, but I’m not sure how long or if we’re going to need to rest him,” Self said. “It’s a similar thing as before. He certainly benefited from the five days we gave him off, but it’s still not close to 100 percent, because he re-aggravated (it) in the Oklahoma State game.” With Embiid’s stat line as of late, losing him longterm would affect KU. The talented big man provides an issue for teams that lack size, especially for an upcoming opponent in West Virginia Saturday afternoon. The Cameroon native is averaging 11.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game. Experts and analysts have regarded Embiid as a top NBA Draft pick, possibly even surpassing teammate and freshman guard Andrew Wiggins. amit.batra@mail.wvu.edu
Joel Embiid will miss the last two games of the regular season.
AP
Cowboys heating up after Smart serves suspension by amit batra sports editor @batra01
WYTHE WOODS/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
Marcus Smart calls out a play against West Virginia earlier this season.
Oklahoma State sophomore guard Marcus Smart has brought the Cowboys back in the NCAA Tournament picture following a win over then-No. 5 Kansas Saturday. Following a seven-game losing streak, OSU has been getting better at playing team basketball. More guys have played to their strengths, and it’s ultimately made a difference. In the games since Smart’s return, Oklahoma State has seen a rise in production. The All-American guard recorded a double-double in his first game back from suspension against Texas Tech, contributing 16 points and
10 assists against the Red Raiders Feb. 22. In the following game at TCU, Smart posted 17 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and five steals. Then, in the upset victory over KU, Smart led the way for OSU with 21 points, six rebounds, five assists, four steals and a block in 36 minutes of action. “He made big plays down the stretch, huge plays,” said Oklahoma State head coach Travis Ford following the win. “There aren’t many (players) that have his competitive toughness.” The preseason Big 12 Conference Player of the Year took over in the final minutes of play, both on the offensive and defensive end. While recent incidents
have perhaps turned viewers away from Smart’s ability, Saturday showed why he is one of the best players in the country. “My teammates stayed in my ear and told me keep shooting, keep driving and just do what I do,” Smart said. “They told me (to) let my defense create my offense, so that’s what I was trying to do.” Smart made play after play in the second half, and the stars of Kansas didn’t have any answers for the doit-all point guard. Losing seven straight games opened the eyes of Oklahoma State, and the amount of talent the team possesses made it a shocker the team was outside looking in at an NCAA Tournament berth. Despite Oklahoma State
and Smart struggling in the first half against Kansas, the team battled the whole way through. “When you’re great at something and it’s not going your way for a while, you’re not just going to quit,” Ford said of Smart’s first-half woes. “Marcus (Smart) struggled a lot, but then, he made a lot of big plays. After the game, I told him he’s a piece of work. He’s a competitor.” Most recently, Smart recorded 18 points, six rebounds and five assists in the Cowboys’ win over Kansas State Monday night. “They’re definitely a tournament team,” Self said. “They’re too talented. They can get hot and make a serious run. There’s no question.” amit.batra@mail.wvu.edu
2014
CH
FIRST ROUND
QUARTERFINALS
Wednesday, March 12
Thursday, March 13
Game 3 - 11:30am
#4 #5 Game 1 - 6:00pm
Game 4 - 1:30pm
#1
#8 #9 Game 2 - 8:30pm
Game 5 - 6:00pm
#2
#7 #10
Game 6 - 8:30pm
#3 #6
LET’S MOUNTA 304-292-0950
www.midniteadult.com
HAMPIONSHIP SEMIFINALS
HIGH INTENSITY TRAINING THE FUSION OF SCIENCE AND SPORT
CHAMPIONSHIP
Friday, March 14
Saturday, March 15
CALL US TODAY TO SET UP A
FREE TRIAL SESSION
304.292.9404 22 Rousch Dr. Westover WV
Game 7 - 6:00pm
Championship - 8:00pm
www.morgantownhitcenter.com
Follow the rainbow to
Chateau Royale
APARTMENTS Now Renting for May 2014 304-599-7474
Game 8 - 8:30pm
S GO, AINEERS!
M-Thu 8-7 Fri 8-5 Sat 10-4 Sun 12-4
www.ChateauRoyaleApartments.com
Lingerie & Gift Boutique
Two Great Locations
Bring in ad & get 20% Off!
245 WALNUT STREET DAHLIAS ON WALNUT .COM
Dahlia’s 304/284-9800
Not valid with any other discount
One Amazing Price! • Low Student Rates • Best Equipped Gym in the Area • 24/7 Facility • www.properformancerx.com 460 Mylan Park Lane 304-983-7761 Suncrest Towne Center 304-554-0515
THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
6 | BIG 12 TOURNAMENT
Friday March 7, 2014
WVU rides roller coaster season to Kansas City by doug walp sports writer @dougwalp
The West Virginia men’s basketball team will head to Kansas City, Mo., next week with as much – if not more – riding on this year’s Big 12 Conference Tournament than any other team in the league. Five teams in the league – Kansas, Iowa State, Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas State – are virtually locks to earn selections to the NCAA tournament, while Oklahoma State and Baylor have also most likely done enough at this point to warrant their own inclusion. That leaves just West Virginia on the outside of the tournament bubble looking in at this point. That hasn’t derailed the Mountaineers’ assurance in themselves.
“Right now, with us being desperate for wins, really needing these wins to try and get a NCAA bid, I think (our confidence) is actually clicking,” said junior guard Juwan Staten. “At this point in time, I hope we’re all on the same page. It didn’t really seem that way in the first half (against TCU), but as long as we stay on each other, hold each other accountable before the coaches can get to us, I think we should have the right mindset.” It’s not necessarily all bad news for WVU, as the Mountaineers’ success within the league still has them in contention with both Baylor and Oklahoma State in the Big 12 standings for the last firstround bye of the conference tournament. A big part of West Virginia’s success this year has been cultivated from Staten’s turnaround season, a finalist
for the Bob Cousy Award and leads the Big 12 in assists and minutes played. He is also tied for second in the conference in scoring. Staten also became the first player in WVU school history to reach a truly impressive statistical landmark this year. “He’s had a phenomenal season. He just was the first player in West Virginia history to have 500 points, 150 rebounds and 150 assists,” said WVU coach Bob Huggins on the Big 12 teleconference Monday morning. “When you think that Jerry (West) didn’t do that, or Hot Rod (Hundley) didn’t do that or Rod Thorn didn’t do that, none of the great players we’ve had. “He’s been terrific. He asks intelligent questions, he doesn’t make excuses and takes the blame for things and knows when it’s his fault.
He plays hard.” Offensively, only one team in the Big 12 has shot the ball from the perimeter more efficiently than West Virginia this season, but the Mountaineers’ 3-point shooting has still been a bit sporadic at times. In fact, WVU shot just 38 percent from the floor and 33 percent from 3-point range in its 13 losses compared to 49 percent from the field and 43 percent from behind the arc in its 16 wins before its game against Oklahoma. “It just comes down to us making some shots,” Huggins said. “We don’t score close so we’ve really got to make some shots. When we’ve made them, we’ve been very competitive. When we haven’t, we’ve struggled.” dasports@mail.wvu.edu
CORY DOBSON/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
Juwan Staten fights off a Kansas State defender earlier this season.
Drew has Baylor back in contention after tough start By Doug Walp Sports Writer @DOUGWALP
Kenny Chery drives around Juwan Staten.
WYTHE WOODS/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
After a lengthy losing skid that lasted a month, the Baylor Bears have not only regained their footing but are currently one of the hottest teams in the Big 12 as the calendar turns to March. In fact, the Bears have won six of their last seven games after dropping eight of 10 from Jan. 7-Feb. 8 – giving themselves at least a chance at a first-round bye in the Big 12 Tournament and also improving their standing in regard to an NCAA tournament selection. “The guys always stuck together,” said Baylor head coach Scott Drew. “What I mean by that is normally when you’re losing, people finger point, and it turns into players versus players, players versus coaches, and we never really saw that. Ev-
eryone stuck together, believed in what we were doing and kept encouraging each other.” Baylor found itself on the outside of the NCAA tournament bubble looking in a little less than two weeks ago when they made the trip to Morgantown and eventually dispatched the Mountaineers (another bubble team) on WVU’s home floor. Now Baylor finds itself more or less in position to secure an NCAA bid, regardless of how it performs in the Big 12 Tournament – especially after knocking off No. 16 Iowa State Tuesday night by a double-digit margin. “Oh absolutely, no question,” Drew said about his team’s tournament eligibility. “You can’t hold losses against top-25 teams in the top conference in the country against you. We have seven top-50 wins now, and
no one has ever been let out with seven top-50 wins. You’ve got to be thankful for the league strength and playing in a great league.” Baylor has just one regular season game remaining on its schedule, which is slated against Kansas State in Manhattan, Kan., Saturday afternoon. Baylor has been the most efficient long-range shooting team in the Big 12 this season, making nearly 39 percent of its 3-point attempts as a team this season. Four Baylor players have averaged double-figures in scoring this year: Cory Jefferson (13.3 points per game), Brady Heslip (11.6 ppg), Kenny Chery (11.1 ppg) and Isaiah Austin (10.7 ppg). It’s not just the production that’s allowed Baylor to right the ship following that lengthy losing skid in January and early February – Drew said ultimately his players’
selflessness and their ability to put the team first is what got the Bears to the position they are in today. “Our staff has always said we really like this team because they like each other and care about each other,” Drew said. “For instance, Senior Night, sometimes we start seniors and sometimes we don’t. Before the (Iowa State) game I got a text from Kenny Chery saying, ‘Coach I really want Gary (Franklin) to take my place. I really want his parents to hear his name, he’s done so much for our team and I really want that for him.’ “You don’t get that nowadays from Division I athletes normally. A lot of times people have their own agendas, and I just think that shows what kind of people we’re blessed to coach and work with.” dasports@mail.wvu.edu
THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
Friday March 7, 2014
BIG 12 TOURNAMENT | 7
Kansas State struggling on offense Barnes, Longhorns to rely on big men By Greg Madia Multimedia Editor @GregMadia
The last time Kansas State scored more than 80 points in a game was Feb. 10 in an 85-82 overtime victory over in-state rival Kansas. Since then, the Wildcats have struggled offensively. The Wildcats are No. 9 in the Big 12 in scoring, only ahead of TCU. The Wildcats are also No. 9 in field goal percentage and last in the league in free throw percentage. Against Oklahoma State Monday night, the Cowboys held Kansas State to less than 35 percent from the field and less than 21-percent from beyond the arc. K-State scored just 61 points in the loss. Marcus Foster leads Kansas State in scoring, averaging 14.9 points per
game. “It gets stagnant sometimes. Oklahoma State kept up with our motion offense, and they were really strong with guarding us,” said guard Will Spradling. “Marcus (Foster) and I were moving well with our offense. But when I went out, the only one who can really keep moving is Marcus, and he was getting worn out by himself. It makes it hard.” The Wildcats only trailed Oklahoma State by eight at the half, but because Kansas State couldn’t hit shots, they couldn’t keep up with the Cowboys. Kansas State’s struggles have emulated that pattern throughout the season. In losses to Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, West Virginia and Iowa State, Bruce Weber’s team allowed the poor offensive performance to affect the
other side of the floor. “Our offense can’t dictate our defense. We’ve said that a million times. It just happened today,” said forward Thomas Gipson. “We have to stay focused on defense aside, and the offense will come.” Entering the Big 12 Tournament, Kansas State will have to shoot the ball better in order to not let it affect the team’s good defense. The Wildcats are No. 2 in the league in fieldgoal percentage defense and first in the league in 3-point percentage defense. If K-State can get some scoring, they will have a shot to advance in the Big 12 tournament. Kansas State will have a bye and play for the first time in the Big 12 Tournament Thursday. greg.madia@mail.wvu.edu
By Greg Madia Multimedia Editor @GregMadia
Throughout this basketball season, Texas has used its strength in the post to win games. In conference, the Longhorns finished above .500 after finishing last year four games below the mark. Currently Texas is the top rebounding and shotblocking team in the Big 12 Conference. Cameron Ridley, six-footten, 285-lb center provides Texas with a dominant, overbearing presence down low. Ridley averages more than 11 points and eight rebounds per game. In total he has registered eight double-doubles this season. He may have even had his best game March 1 against Oklahoma when he scored 19 points while grabbing 14 rebounds. Jonathan Holmes, Connor Lammert and Prince Ibeh
give Texas more options in the paint. “Connor (Lammert) should go down there a little more because he can score down there,” said Texas coach Rick Barnes. “Jon (Holmes) can go down there, and Cam (Ridley) and Prince (Ibeh) are as strong and as big as anyone. We do like playing with a big lineup.” Texas has struggled when those big men get in foul trouble. Barnes then has to turn to a smaller lineup. Javan Felix has been good at times, but as a team, the Longhorns have the secondworst assist to turnover ratio inside the league. “It’s been our guard play for the most part. I think we all know how important guard play is,” Barnes said. “You look at our post players, (and) they’ve done a good job, but we have to get more consistent guard play.” Baylor and Kansas are
the only two teams that can match the strength of Texas. Baylor has longer players in Isaiah Austin and Cory Jefferson, while Kansas boasts the size of Andrew Wiggins, Tarik Black and Joel Embiid. “It’s been a great group, they’ve worked hard, we’ve got ourselves in good position,” Barnes said. “We can go up to Kansas City, and by knowing what’s happened in league play this year, anything can happen. We should feel good that we’re a part of it. We’ve been right in the mix with everybody, and like everybody, we want to win it all.” The Longhorns are 1-1 on a neutral floor this season – playing both games at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo., the site of this week’s Big 12 Tournament. Texas will have a firstround bye and play their first tournament game Thursday. greg.madia@mail.wvu.edu
TCU limping through Big 12 season Red Raiders up and down under Smith By Kevin Hooker Sports Writer @DailyAthenaeum
Despite a 9-3 start to the season, the TCU Horned Frogs have dropped all 16 of their conference games with their matchups with Texas and Oklahoma still to be played. The Horned Frogs have already clinched the 10th and final seed in next week’s conference tournament. TCU has battled injuries for most of the season, with only three players on roster playing in all 28 games this season. Junior forward Amric Fields, the team’s second leading scorer, has missed three straight games with injury and most likely won’t return in time for the league tournament. “He’s probably done for the year,” TCU coach Trent Johnson said in his weekly teleconference. “I think we’re going to move for-
ward without him. I think (playing him) puts him in too much jeopardy, in terms of the physical nature of the game. He was basically playing off of one leg last week, so it’s going to take a lot of commitment from him to get back on the floor.” TCU must instead rely on junior guard Kyan Anderson, who leads the team with 16.6 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. Anderson was held to 10 points on 3-11 shooting last weekend against West Virginia. “These guys are resilient,” Johnson said. “It’s been one thing after another (this season), but I dwell on one thing and one thing only – who’s out there (on the court) and who’s capable of playing. Several teams have it worse off than we do. We try and stay positive.” Now in his second season with the Horned Frogs, Johnson made it to the second round of the NCAA
Tournament back in 2008 with Louisiana State University. TCU’s last NCAA Tournament appearance came in 1998. Fortunately, a brighter future may be in store for TCU, as the team only has two seniors and five freshman on the roster. “It’s unfortunate that our two seniors have had to go through this (long season),” Johnson said. “They’ve been very good in terms of building a base (for our team) and conducting themselves. There’s something to be said about doing things the right way, and these guys have been a part of that.” The Horned Frogs will face the league’s 7th seed Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. Several teams, including West Virginia, could face the Horned Frogs in the first round. dasports@mail.wvu.edu
By Kevin Hooker Sports Writer @DailyAthenaeum
The Texas Tech Red Raiders weren’t able to get much of anything going in their first stint under new head coach Tubby Smith. Smith, who has a 68 percent winning percentage in his 35 years of coaching, made the NCAA Tournament three times in his six years at Minnesota. He hasn’t found the same success yet in Lubbock. The Mountaineers defeated the Red Raiders in both meetings this season. The Red Raiders had a tough month of February, which included a stretch of Iowa State, Kansas and Oklahoma State in the same week. Offensively, the Red Raiders are led by senior forward Jaye Crockett, who averages 13.6 points per contest to go along with 6.3 rebounds.
Despite their secondto-last seed in the Big 12, the Red Raiders have proven to play well against good competition. TTU lost to No. 11 Iowa State and No. 8 Kansas 70-64 and 64-63, respectively. “We want to play fast and up-tempo, but we realize our talent level isn’t the same (as teams like) Kansas,” Smith said. “We want (our opponents) to work at both ends of the court, and we’ve done that against (the better teams in the Big 12).” “You have to make certain plays, and we haven’t,” Smith said. “That’s why we’re sitting here with five straight losses, because we haven’t found a way to make those winning plays. Teams in the top 25 know how to make those plays, and we just haven’t learned those yet.” The Red Raiders haven’t earned an NCAA Tournament bid since 2007 and
Cory Dobson/The Daily Athenaeum
Jaye Crockett goes up for a rebound against WVU.
last won the Big 12 regular season title in 1996. Assuming TTU remains the 9th seed, they will play the 8th seed at 6 p.m. Wednesday. dasports@mail.wvu.edu
8 | AD
THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
ON-CAMPUS
student housing O P E N I N G FA L L 2 0 1 4
APPLY TODAY GAME ROOM WITH ARCADE GAMES & BILLIARDS walk to class + private bedrooms + fully furnished + leather-style furniture available hardwood-style floors + resort-style amenities + cable & internet included
COLLEGEPARK.WVU.EDU.COM 304.293.5840 • 60 NEWTON AVE amenities & renderings are subject to change.
FRIDAY MARCH 7, 2014