Kansas Jayhawks or Texas Longhorns: Who's Best Equipped to Reach the Final Four?
Texas' hopes of completing its conference schedule undefeated were scrapped after losing to Nebraska on Saturday. Although not undefeated, Texas is still ahead of Kansas for the Big 12 title.
This will be the first time in six seasons that Kansas hasn't won the Big 12 outright or had a share of the title.
There is a possibility of Kansas and Texas playing each other in the Big 12 Tournament, but let's look at the bigger picture.
Both of these schools could receive No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament, so which is more equipped to make the journey in March? Which squad has better playmakers? Which is the deeper team?
All of your questions are about to be answered.
Let's take a look at both teams carefully and see who is more likely to reach Houston next month.
Frontcourt
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Kansas and Texas are two teams that have had a strong presence in the paint this season.
On the Texas side, senior Gary Johnson and freshman Tristan Thompson have been huge for the Longhorns down low. Johnson brings playing experience to the table, as he has seen a good amount of playing time since his freshman season.
Thompson is a kid that any coach in the country would love to have, and most probably envy Rick Barnes. The Canadian freshman has been fun to watch, as he has evolved into a terrific college basketball player during his first year at Texas.
Thompson has the height and athletic ability to hang with most of the big men in the country. If he can stay out of foul trouble, then Texas is usually rolling. When he's playing well, Texas is usually winning.
In the Nebraska game, Thompson was zoned out by Nebraska's defense and only put up five points in 33 minutes. The Cornhuskers' ability to shut him down crippled the Longhorns.
Another downside to the true freshman is his free throw shooting. He is shooting just 48 percent on the season, which is scary heading into tournament time.
Why? Because if you're a UT fan, you want him in the game at all times. But if it's time to make crucial free throws and Thompson gets fouled, he'll probably make one of two. In the NCAA Tournament, you always need two of two.
The Kansas frontcourt is a bit deeper.
If you follow the Morris twins, then you already know the scoop on them. They have become one of the most powerful and effective combinations of big men in the country.
Marcus and Markieff Morris not only dominate the boards and put up multiple points in the paint, but they can also stroke from downtown. Not too many big men in the country can shoot three-pointers effectively.
Coming off the bench, Thomas Robinson is the future of the Kansas post players. He is one of the strongest post players I have seen in a while and gets incredibly physical inside. Seven-footer Jeff Withey also comes off the bench, but most Kansas fans would prefer he doesn't spend too much time on the floor in crucial situations.
Altogether, Kansas seems to run away with the frontcourt talent that could help a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
Backcourt
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Both of these teams have great backcourts as well.
For Kansas, the guard position has changed quite a bit over the course of the season. While KU has a ton of talent at the guard position, it seems to be inconsistent at times.
Seniors Tyrel Reed and Brady Morningstar have been nothing but money for the Jayhawks this season. They know how to work the ball inside perfectly to the Morris twins and have shot well from distance this season. Morningstar has the ability to dish out seven or eight assists without a single turnover in a game.
Tyshawn Taylor was labeled the point guard of the Jayhawks this season but may have as many critics as he does fans. He is incredibly talented but sometimes gets a bit too carried away and makes dumb decisions. Along with Taylor, Elijah Johnson is another great athlete that has yet to shine at Kansas.
Johnson's playing time is limited due to the guys in front of him, but he'll get his time to shine next season.
One of the nation's top recruits, Josh Selby has been limited this season, as he sat out seven games to start the season due to an NCAA suspension. He played well when he was finally able to step on the court but has been limited lately with an ankle injury.
Overall, the Kansas backcourt has the talent to compete with any in the country but hasn't been very consistent with the injuries and personnel changes.
While the Texas backcourt may not be as deep, the guards that lead UT have been consistent over the course of the Big 12 conference season.
Freshman Cory Joseph has been fantastic in his first season as a Longhorn. Averaging 12 points per game this season, Joseph has had multiple double-digit performances and has earned his starting spot in the UT lineup.
Sophomores Jordan Hamilton and J'Covan Brown have also been a huge part of the Longhorn success this season. Brown won't put up 20 points a game, but he can come through when UT needs it. An example would be his 23 points in the UT victory over Kansas.
Hamilton is a favorite for the Big 12 Player of the Year award. The California native has the size of a forward but can play the guard position with the best of them. Averaging 18.7 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, Hamilton is crucial to UT victories.
These Texas guards play consistently and play very well together. While Kansas has more depth and talent, the UT backcourt has been smooth and effective this season.
Based on consistency, I'll give a slight edge to the Longhorn backcourt.
Bench
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This one is almost a no-brainer.
It's true that Texas has a great starting five and a solid contributor in J'Covan Brown coming off the bench, but if you look deep into the UT reserves, it's a little thin.
Other than Brown, UT could find itself in major trouble in the NCAA Tournament if the fouls rack up. Rick Barnes usually goes to senior forward Matt Hill and junior forward Alexis Wangmene if he becomes desperate to give a starter a rest.
Hill averages 1.8 points per game, and Wangmene averages 2.4 points.
So far this season, UT's reserves haven't been necessary for every win. But what will opposing teams do in the tournament? Force the UT frontcourt to foul. If the Longhorns are in foul trouble early, it could mean trouble.
The Kansas bench is the best in the country—hands down.
When you can sub four or five players off the bench at a time, it's a very good sign.
Bill Self can replace his starting five with another five that could probably start for most teams in the Big 12.
The great thing about having that much depth is that Self can throw out any combination of players at any given time on the floor for Kansas. How a team guards against certain players has to change if the personnel keeps changing.
Some of the notable bench players are Thomas Robinson, Josh Selby (who sometimes starts), Elijah Johnson, Mario Little, Travis Releford and Jeff Withey.
All of whom could probably start for Texas. Even Withey got an offer from UT out of high school.
It's not even close on this one. Kansas has the advantage by a long shot.
The depth of Kansas might be the most important factor in having a successful run to the Final Four.
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Momentum
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Well, this was all in favor of the Longhorns heading into Saturday's game against Nebraska.
UT really had no bad losses except for USC and hadn't lost a game since Jan. 8. I knew, as many should have, that Texas wouldn't complete the conference season undefeated. It just doesn't happen in a conference where so many teams have loads of talent and great coaches.
Does this mean Texas can't get the ball rolling again? Absolutely not.
Believe me, the Longhorns will do work against Iowa State on Tuesday. I feel sorry for Fred Hoiberg and the Cyclones.
Kansas was coming off an embarrassing loss to in-state rival Kansas State on national television. Like always, Kansas came off a loss to blow out its next opponent.
Unfortunately, Colorado was that victim.
In their last game as conference foes, KU crushed Colorado, 89-63.
Considering it was expected and Colorado is far less talented than Kansas, I wouldn't exactly consider this a huge momentum booster. It may be a morale booster, but the victory will quickly be forgotten.
In terms of momentum heading into the postseason, I would say that right now neither team really has an edge on the other. If UT had won on Saturday, it would have been clear, but both teams are coming off disappointing losses.
Right now, the momentum factor is neutral.
Experience
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Once again, this is a category that may hurt the Longhorns when it comes to the NCAA Tournament.
Texas starts two true freshmen, a sophomore and two seniors. While Texas has played many games on national television, the NCAA Tournament is a whole new kind of pressure.
Not that I don't think Thompson and Joseph can't handle the pressure, but it may take a bit to calm down the nerves.
Could that hurt the Longhorns? Maybe.
Dogus Balbay is a senior but missed the postseason last year. Gary Johnson has three years of NCAA Tournament experience and should be a leader for UT this postseason.
As for KU, many of its players have a lot of NCAA Tournament experience. The Morris twins and Tyshawn Taylor have played in the Sweet 16.
Seniors Tyrel Reed and Brady Morningstar were a part of the 2007-2008 national championship team. This is the biggest factor when it comes to experience. These two will start all of the games Kansas plays in the tournament, and after tip-off nerves won't be a factor.
Although Morningstar was redshirting that season, he still knows the feelings and pressure from being in the situation. These two will bring strong leadership to the Jayhawks in their push to make the Final Four.
Coach
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Texas and Kansas probably have two of the best coaches in the nation.
Year after year, both of these coaches bring in loads of talent and are able to win with young players.
Rick Barnes and Bill Self have been excellent coaches for their programs and are both classy men.
When it comes to winning percentage, both of these coaches have incredible records. Barnes, who has been the head coach of the Longhorns since the 1998-1999 season, is an incredible 518-252 all-time at Texas.
During his tenure at Texas, Barnes has coached UT to one Final Four, two Elite Eights and two Sweet 16 appearances. His most critical fans still argue against him because he has yet to achieve the ultimate goal.
At Kansas, Self is 227-45 during his time as head coach. Taking over in the 2003-2004 season, Self had a rough start when it comes to the NCAA Tournament.
While KU went to the Elite Eight in his first season, the Jayhawks were bounced in the first round the next two seasons by Bucknell and Bradley respectively.
That was all forgotten when Kansas won the national championship in the 2007-2008 season.
When it comes to these two coaches and the NCAA Tournament, Bill Self has the edge here. He has been able to win a national championship in less time.
As for if either coach is "better" than the other, that's a matter of opinion.
Summary
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Above all, these are two terrific teams that both have the ability to make a Final Four run this season.
Kansas and Texas represent the Big 12 well and sometimes don't get the respect they deserve.
If I have to choose who is the best equipped to make a Final Four run, I have to go with Kansas.
Call it a bias, but if you're looking at who has the tools to get the job done, then Kansas is clearly the front runner. I think the most important factor in making that decision is depth. Kansas is just so incredibly deep, while the facts show that Texas relies heavily on its starters.
Anything can happen in the tournament, and when you have great reserves, you have a chance to make a good run.
Either of these teams could make it to Houston, but Kansas is by far better equipped to successfully complete the journey.
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