Monday, March 7, 2011

Beebe retroactively kicks out Nebraska and Colorado, awards Big 12 championship to Longhorns

AUSTIN, Texas – Big 12 Commissioner Dan Beebe today ordered Nebraska and Colorado out of the Big 12, forfeiting any wins they accumulated during the conference basketball season. As a result, Beebe also the Kansas Jayhawks stripped of their seventh straight Big 12 championship and awarded it to the Texas Longhorns.

Beebe said Nebraska and Colorado were undeserving of participating in Big 12 play after both schools announced they were leaving the conference: Nebraska to the Big 10 and Colorado to the Pac 10.

“I thought about this for a long time and after weighing all my options, I’ve decided it’s best for the conference that neither of these schools be allowed to participate in Big 12 basketball during the 2010-11 season,” said Beebe. “These teams left the Big 12 through nefarious dealings, and I don’t they should be rewarded for it by participating in our conference.”

Both teams had decent conference seasons as Colorado won eight games and Nebraska won seven, but neither challenged for the league title or are expected to receive a bid to the NCAA Tournament.

But the move had far reaching consequences as both teams won their only meeting against the Texas Longhorns. By awarding those games to Texas, the Longhorns finished with just one Big 12 loss, a game ahead of Kansas.

When asked about Texas winning the Big 12 title because of this move, Beebe shrugged his shoulders.

“Oh, is that what will happen? I hadn’t even thought about that,” said Beebe. “Ah well. That’s the past now, I guess we can’t change it. I, for one, applaud the great men of Texas for finally knocking Kansas off that perch. It’s quite an accomplishment and something they should be proud of.”

Missouri road struggles continue; Tigers lose practice game against Shawnee Mission East JV boys

PRAIRIE VILLAGE – The Missouri Tigers suffered their most embarrassing setback of the season on Monday morning, losing to the Shawnee Mission East junior varsity squad 54-52 in a game designed to get the Tigers back on track for the Big 12 tournament, which starts Wednesday.

The Tigers, who have lost three straight heading into the tournament and went 1-7 on the road in Big 12 play, are using the Lancers' gym to practice before the start of the Big 12 tournament. But things took an unexpected turn when the Tigers agreed to a scrimmage, then got off to a slow start against the SM East JV team. The Missouri players found themselves stunned when Kim English’s last-second 3-pointer rimmed out at the buzzer.

The Lancers celebrated the win before heading off to first period.

“We just can’t seem to get a win on the road,” said Tigers coach Mike Anderson. “I mean, come on. The only reason we played this game was to get our confidence back up away from our own court. They varsity team wasn’t even available. It was either this, or the girl’s freshman team. I guess I should have played the girls.”

The Lancers JV team committed 20 turnovers against Missouri’s full court pressure defense, but the Tigers converted those turnovers into just nine points. Danny Timlin, who averaged four points per game during the season for the Lancers, scored 21 points, including five 3 pointers.

“This was so awesome,” said Timlin, a 15-year-old sophomore who missed warm ups because his mom was late dropping him off. “I mean, I guess it’s just the Tigers and it wasn’t on their court, so it’s not like you can get too excited, but this is awesome.”

English, who made three of his last 20 field goals in Big 12 play, went 1 for 13 against the Lancers, but didn’t hesitate to take the 3-pointer, despite facing a double-team.

“I’m a shooter, and they always say that when you’re in a slump, you have to shoot your way out,” said English. “Wait, is that a basketball saying? Maybe I heard that wrong.”