Big 12 Tournament - Texas vs. Kansas St: Preview & Open Thread

After defeating TCU last night, the Texas Longhorns (16-16) move forward in the Big 12 Tournament to face the Kansas St. Wildcats (25-6). Kansas St. had a first-round bye, making this its first game in the Tournament.

Despite losing their regular season finale to Oklahoma St., the Wilcats took home a share of the Big 12 title. Kansas St. finished with a 14-4 conference record, tying state rival Kansas when the Jayhawks also lost their regular season finale to Baylor. Due to tiebreakers, Kansas St. fell to the #2 seed in the Big 12 Tournament.

The Wildcats have given Texas fits this year. KSU won the first game in Manhattan 83-57 after taking a 19-point lead into halftime. In round 2, Kansas St. easily dispatched Texas in Austin, 81-69. Two normal starters, junior guard Will Spradling and senior center Jordan Henriquez, are limited by injuries but should play.

A win puts Texas above .500 for the first time since November 19 and gives the Longhorns an outside shot at an NIT bid. A loss ends their season, barring a pity invite from the CBI Invitational.

It's Kansas freakin' State. Texas is due a win against them some time in our lifetimes, right?

LINEUP

PROJECTED STARTERS

Texas: G - Myck Kabongo (#12 - So.) | G - DeMarcus Holland (#2 - Fr.) | F - Jonathan Holmes (#10 - So.) | F - Ioannis Papapetrou (#33 - Fr.) | F - Connor Lammert (#21 - Fr.)

Kansas St: G - Angel Rodriguez (#13 - So.) | G - Will Spradling (#55 - Jr.) | G - Rodney McGruder (#22 - Sr.) | G - Shane Southwell (#1 - Jr.) | C - Jordan Henriquez (#21 - Sr.)

BENCH

Texas: G - Javan Felix (#3 - Fr.) | G - Julien Lewis (#14 - So.) | G - Sheldon McClellan (#1 - So.) | F - Jaylen Bond (#5 - So.) | C - Prince Ibeh (#44 - Fr.) | C - Cameron Ridley (#55 - Fr)

Kansas St: G - Martavious Irving (#3 - Sr.) | G - Omari Lawrence (#12 - Jr.) | F - Thomas Gipson (#42 - So.) | F - Nino Williams (#11 - So.) | F - D.J. Johnson (#50 - Fr.) | C - Adrian Diaz (#20 - So.)

INJURIES/ISSUES

Texas: N/A

Kansas St: G - Will Spradling (#55 - Jr. - Limited - Sternum Injury) | C - Jordan Henriquez (#21 - Sr. - Limited - Back Injury)

TEXASSPORTS.COM MEDIA/NOTES

#7 seed TEXAS (16-16)
vs. #2 seed K-State (25-6)
Thu., March 14, 2013 • 6:00 p.m. CT
Kansas City, Mo. • Sprint Center

TV: Big 12 Network > view local affiliates
WatchESPN.com
Dave Armstrong (play-by-play), Reid Gettys (analyst), Holly Rowe (reporter)
Radio: Longhorn IMG Radio Network
Craig Way (play-by-play), Eddie Oran (analyst)
Satellite Radio: XM 191 / Sirius 93
Streaming Audio: TexasSports.com
Live Stats: GameTracker