Bubble watch

Last season, four Big XII teams (Kansas, Texas, Texas Tech and Texas A&M) were invited to the NCAA men's basketball tournament.

This weekend, the fate of several "bubble" teams were decided.

To the losers, welcome to the NIT.

Now, these "bubble" teams are either in or out of the tournament with no regard to who's winning the Big VII tourney (we assume it's Texas or Kansas).

Kansas 72, Texas A&M 55

Texas A&M had to have this game. At home. Against a fine opponent. But this was it for the Ags -- they had to win. And they got beat by 17 and were never close. Kansas is in the big dance for sure, but the Ags must trudge along in the NIT. The Jayhawks will not make the Sweet 16.

Texas 62, Oklahoma State 57

OSU has been a tough out all season. They're young and come back better next year. As for the Longhorns, they're good. They'll go Elite 8.

Kansas State 73, Iowa State 69

No way the NCAA keeps Michael Beasley out of the tourney. Still, they'd make it anyway with a 10-6 conference record despite losses to Tech, Nebraska, Missouri and Baylor.

OK, there are your sure-fire three teams in the NCAA tourney. The Big XII should get one more invite. And it's between three teams: A&M, Oklahoma and Baylor. Let's assume Baylor takes care of Colorado and A&M beats Iowa State.

Texas A&M (23-9, 9-8)

All the Ags had to do was beat Tech, OSU and Nebraska and probably be the clear-cut choice here. But they lost those games and most of the games against good teams (Baylor, OU, Texas and KU). Sorry, no soup for you.

Oklahoma (21-10, 9-7)

A better-than-average conference record plus wins against Gonzaga and at West Virginia might put them in the dance. Why does it seem Nebraska's beaten everybody, yet they're mired at 7-9 in conference?

Baylor (22-9, 10-7)

If the NCAA wants a great story and they want a shitload of Texas fans and alum buying tickets and watching on TV, it's imperative they ask Baylor out. What a story. Plus, it's well deserving despite not having a decent, season-defining win outside of the four-overtime A&M game.