Welcome to the Big 12 Buzz! Things are going to look a little different during the offseason but that doesn’t mean I can’t share what’s on my mind this week in the Big 12.
Despite losing All-Americans, two assistant coaches, and several other key players, Iowa State head basketball coach T.J. Otzelberger wasted zero time putting together a new team for next season. Before I could even finish a beer, the man already had five brand new players ready to roll.
It’s not like he just got some random players to come to Ames. Three out of the five players he brought in were four-star caliber with Ryan Prather Jr., Tre Singleton, and Jaquan Johnson.
Plus, Iowa State also added Leon Bond and Taj Manning from Kansas State. I almost feel sorry for Manning because he will soon find out what it’s like to play for a real head coach instead of a clown.
Now I am not saying Iowa State will win a national championship next season but don’t expect some drop off either. Under T.J, Iowa State has become a yearly Big 12 title contender and maybe more. Iowa State isn’t rebuilding; they are simply reloading.
It appears that all the whining and complaining didn’t work for Texas Tech because last week the Big 12 announced that Tech’s conference home opener against Houston will be played on Friday night instead of Saturday.
Like I said last week, Friday night is an opportunity for the Big 12 to have stand-alone games and draw a ton of attention. It’s a win for the conference and a win for the tv networks. With Texas Tech being the biggest brand in the Big 12 and the best playoff hope for the conference, having them play on Friday night isn’t a bad idea at all. And as someone who has had plenty of bad ideas, trust me.
Cody Campbell and all the other people crying need to get over it. I don’t need any of their crocodile tears in my beer. I haven’t seen this much complaining since Texas was in the Big 12 and the last thing the Big 12 or any of us need is another Texas. They are the SEC’s problem now.
I know it sucks that basketball is officially over and we are closer to me having a heat stroke in the middle of the summer than we are to kickoff. However, if you haven’t given college baseball or softball a try, then what are you waiting for? Christmas? My sobriety? Neither one of those are close.
I understand that baseball is a sore topic for Iowa State fans, I truly do. Trust me, there is nothing more I would love than to pound a zillion beers while watching a Cyclones baseball game. And there may be some of you out there that got to experience that back in the day and I am jealous.
But with football season a long way away, I would high recommend catching up on some baseball and softball to kill the time. Texas Tech has a national championship caliber team in softball and the Big 12 could be looking at five or six postseason teams this year in baseball. So go ahead, crack up a cold one in your garage out on the patio and give it a shot.
The post Big 12 Buzz: An Iowa State reload, Texas Tech needs a reality check appeared first on Cyclone Fanatic.