NCAA Conference Tournament Preview IX (Big 10, Big 12)

Big 10

Team to beat: Ohio State — The Buckeyes' home win against Wisconsin gave them the Big Ten crown and the top seed. However, Wisconsin is a close second and can make a strong case for a No. 1 overall seed if they win the Big Ten tourney.

Sleeper: Indiana — The Hoosiers are certainly capable, having knocked off Wisconsin and Michigan State during the season. D.J. White is one of the best big men in the country and Kelvin Sampson has a solid backcourt.

Prediction: Ohio State -- Too much talent in Columbus. Too much coaching in Columbus.

Tournament Schedule
at Chicago, Ill. (United Center)

Thursday, March 8 — First round
Game 1: No. 8 Michigan vs. No. 9 Minnesota, noon ET
Game 2: No. 7 Michigan State vs. No. 10 Northwestern, 2:30
Game 3: No. 6 Illinois vs. No. 11 Penn St., 5:05

Friday, March 9 — Quarterfinals
Game 4: No. 1 Ohio State vs. Game 1 winner, noon
Game 5: No. 4 Iowa vs. No. 5 Purdue, 2:30
Game 6: No. 2 Wisconsin vs. Game 2 winner, 6:40
Game 7: No. 3 Indiana vs. Game 3 winner, 9:10

Saturday, March 10 — Semifinals
Game 8: Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 1:40 p.m.
Game 9: Game 6 winner vs. Game 7 winner, 4:05

Sunday, March 11 — Championship
Game 10: Game 8 winner vs. Game 9 winner, 3:30 p.m. CBS

Geek's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Greg Oden, 7-0, 270, C, Fr., Ohio State
Rookie of the Year: Greg Oden, 7-0, 270, C, Fr., Ohio State
Coach of the Year: Thad Matta, Ohio State

All-Big Ten team
Greg Oden, 7-0, 270, C, Fr., Ohio State — 15.3 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 3.5 bpg
Alando Tucker, 6-6, 205, F, Sr., Wisconsin — 20.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg
Drew Neitzel, 6-0, 180, G, Jr., Michigan State — 18.3 ppg, 4.1 apg
Mike Conley Jr., 6-1, 180, G, Fr., Ohio State — 10.1 ppg, 6.4 apg, 3 rpg, 2.3 spg
Carl Landry, 6-7, 250, F, Sr., Purdue — 18.7 ppg, 7.1 rpg

Big 12

Team to beat: Kansas — The Jayhawks have it going these days after struggling to find their identity early in the season. Bill Self's team has plenty of talent, headlined by Brandon Rush and Julian Wright.

Sleeper: Texas Tech — The Red Raiders may not be the most talented team in the league, but Bob Knight doesn't necessarily need all that much talent. Guard Jarrius Jackson may be able to lead Texas Tech deep into the Big 12 tourney with a road that starts against No. 12 Colorado.

Prediction: Kansas — The Jayhawks still have plenty to prove -- including that they are deserving of a No. 1 seed. KU will run the table and win the Big 12 tourney.

Tournament Schedule
at Oklahoma City, Okla. (Ford Center) All Times CST

Thursday, March 8 — First round
Game 1: No. 8 Iowa State vs. No. 9 Oklahoma, 11:30 a.m.
Game 2: No. 5 Texas Tech vs. No. 12 Colorado, 2 p.m.
Game 3: No. 7 Oklahoma State vs. No. 10 Nebraska, 6 p.m.
Game 4: No. 6 Missouri vs. No. 11 Baylor, 8:20 p.m.

Friday, March 9 — Quarterfinals
Game 5: No. 1 Kansas vs. ISU/OU winner, 11:30 a.m
Game 6: No. 4 Kansas State vs. TTU/CU winner, 2 p.m.
Game 7: No. 2 Texas A&M vs. OSU/NU winner, 6 p.m.
Game 8: No. 3 Texas vs. MU/BU winner, 8:20 p.m.

Saturday, March 10 — Semifinals
Game 9: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 1 p.m.
Game 10: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 3:20 p.m.

Sunday, March 11 — Championship
Game 11: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 2 p.m. ESPN

Geek's all-conference picks
Player of the Year: Kevin Durant, 6-9, 225, F, Fr., Texas
Rookie of the Year: Kevin Durant, 6-9, 225, F, Fr., Texas
Coach of the Year: Rick Barnes, Texas

All-Big 12 team
Kevin Durant, 6-9, 225, F, Fr., Texas — 25.1 ppg, 11.4 rpg, 1.8 spg, 1.8 bpg
Julian Wright, 6-8, 225, F, Soph., Kansas — 12 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.5 spg, 1.5 bpg
Acie Law IV, 6-3, 195, G, Sr., Texas A&M — 18.2 ppg, 5.3 apg, 3.1 rpg
Mario Boggan, 6-7, 200, F, Sr., Oklahoma State — 19.7 ppg, 7.8 rpg
Jarrius Jackson, 6-2, 185, G, Sr., Texas Tech — 20.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.7 apg