Sam Mellinger

The Kansas City Star

This is going just the way it should in the final year of Missouri in the Big 12: two rivals, in control of the league race, so either Kansas wins an absurd eighth consecutive championship or Missouri wins the last (and first) Big 12 title it ever plays for.

Or, maybe even better, they tie and then settle it in the tournament championship on March 10.

But that’s getting ahead of ourselves.

Missouri is 9-2 in the league, Kansas 8-2, so let’s cut the drama, fire up the DeLorean and see how this thing plays out.

Tonight: KU at Baylor. One of three remaining plainly tough games for KU. A few weeks ago, I figured KU would go 2-2 in its four toughest road games: ISU, Mizzou, Baylor and K-State. They’re 0-2 right now. I think the extra few days helps KU, which responds very well to losses. If Baylor doesn’t toughen up, Thomas Robinson is going for 25 and 15. Pick: KU.

Saturday: KU vs OSU. Oklahoma State’s only conference road win was at Texas Tech, which really shouldn’t count. Pick: KU.

MU vs Baylor. This is a place where MU benefits from what Fran Fraschilla calls the psychology of the schedule. Playing at home after beating someone on the road is much better than the opposite. I’m looking forward to being at this one, too. Pick: MU.

Monday: KU at K-State. This’n will be wild. I’ve been ready to pick K-State here, but it’s hard to get excited about how the Wildcats have been playing. Pick: KU, but close.

Feb. 15: MU vs OSU. MU blew a lead in Stillwater, when Le’Bryan Nash went off. No way does that happen again. Pick: MU in a boatrace.

Feb. 18: KU vs Texas Tech. Texas Tech sucks. Pick: KU by whatever score it wants.

MU at A&M. Hey, look! It’s the SEC game! (Signed, easy storylines you’ll be reading about). A&M isn’t bad at home, close losses to Baylor at Texas. But whatever. As long as MU is focused, they should get this one. Pick: MU

Feb. 21: MU vs KSU. I’m looking forward to Kim English and Frank Martin throwing verbal bouquets at each other over Twitter. Pick: MU.

Feb. 22: KU at A&M. Blah, blah, blah. Let’s get to the big game. Pick: KU, but close.

Feb. 25: KU vs MU. Oh mama. KU controlled about 34 minutes of that game in Columbia, but MU — Marcus Denmon, mostly — made every crucial shot. I really think that charge on Tyshawn Taylor at the end is the kind of call you expect to go the home team’s way. Allen Fieldhouse will max out for this game, and when that happens, especially in a bit of a revenge situation, you do not want to be the visitors. Pick: KU by 12.

Feb. 27: KU at OSU. Psychology of the schedule, this is a clear letdown opportunity. Road game, two days after KU’s most emotional game in a place it historically doesn’t do well. Pick: OSU

Feb. 29: MU vs ISU. Just don’t think Mizzou loses a home game. Pick: MU.

March 3: KU vs Texas. Don’t think KU will, either. Pick: KU, maybe huge.

MU at Texas Tech. There will be several Tech fans at this game. Pick: MU

If it plays out like this, that makes both teams 15-3, so the sister-kissing begins: KU wins that eighth straight title and MU wins the last conference title it plays for.

If it happens this way, Chuck Neinas needs to go all best-interests-of-the-league and somehow guarantee a third game at the Sprint Center.

The KU-KSU game a few years back in the Big 12 tournament was awesome.

This would be way awesome-er.

Comments

1. 

   Carol RETRUM

   3 months, 1 week ago

   Sam: Love your column—you have been fair with your MU coverage. This is a feat that few have accomplished at the KU driven KCSTAR. I’m with you all the way regarding the final showdown in the Border War. Let it be at Sprint Center. Bring it on KU-PU!!!

2. 

   Carol RETRUM

   3 months, 1 week ago

   To cllarify—KU means PU

3. 

   Sam Mellinger

   3 months, 1 week ago

   Thanks Carol.

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