Lutz

I’m sure there are Kansas basketball fans who hope Oklahoma’s Blake Griffin, who suffered a concussion during Saturday’s loss against Texas, doesn’t answer the bell tonight against the Jayhawks.

To them, I say “hogwash.”

I want Griffin to play and I want him to be at as close to 100 percent as possible tonight. He’s the best player in the country, in my opinion, and a KU win over the Sooners minus Griffin won’t be nearly as meaningful as one in which he plays.

I’m headed to Norman in a few minutes and, selfishly, I will be very disappointed if Griffin can’t go. I expect him to play, but I’m not sure how much. Nor do I know how effective he will be.

Kansas has a big opportunity tonight. Did anyone really expect the Jayhawks would be in a position to win another Big 12 championship just a season after losing so many key players? I know I didn’t. I thought the Jayhawks, realistically, could finish in the top three or four of the conference. But if they are able to get past OU, they’ll have a clear path to yet another championship.

Who is the Big 12’s coach of the year? I’ll go with the coach of tonight’s winning team. Jeff Capel has done an outstanding job at Oklahoma, especially in building depth. The Sooners would have wilted without Griffin earlier this season. Against Texas, though, they hung tough because of freshman guard Willie Warren and because they have a much deeper bench than they had previously.

If KU wins tonight, you have to give the coach of the year award to Self, who is still under-appreciated nationally, in my opinion.

Missouri’s Mike Anderson is still in the discussion. And Kansas State’s Frank Martin has done a great job, particularly considering the Wildcats opened 0-4 in Big 12 play.

On another matter, I was looking at Jerry Palm’s latest NCAA Tournament bracket and it includes six Big 12 teams, but not K-State. In addition to OU, KU, MU and Texas, Palm has Oklahoma State and Texas A&M in the field.

I realize K-State’s RPI is low. But the Wildcats won at Texas A&M last month and have a chance to win at Oklahoma State next week. I’m surprised Palm has A&M in the field.

What are your thoughts about how many teams the Big 12 can expect to get into the NCAA Tournament?