Women’s Basketball Homeroom, March 2

1. Nebraska

After sealing up their first regular season Big 12 championship, the Huskers can now focus on preparing for both the conference and national tournaments. With just two regular season games left, it looks like NU will head into the postseason undefeated, a distinction that often adds pressure to top teams.

2. Oklahoma

The Sooners may not have a superior non-conference record than other Big 12 teams, but three of their four losses away from the Big 12 have come against teams ranked in the top six in the country. Playing some of the toughest competition both in and out of conference could give OU an edge in postseason play.

3. Iowa State

In their last three games the Cyclones have scored less than 60 points, but have still come away with wins against teams at the bottom of the conference. If ISU wants to be successful down the road, they'll need to find some way to regain their offensive rhythm.

4. Baylor

Following a tough start in conference play, the Lady Bears have won four straight, including a 23-point blowout of Kansas. More importantly, Brittney Griner has started to dominate games again, racking up 20 points and ten blocks in the win over the Jayhawks. Look for Baylor to make a move in the Big 12 tourney.

5. Texas A&M

Texas A&M has been on the wrong side of close games this season, with four of their seven losses coming by less than four points. The lack of clutch play by the Aggies is something they will need to address to have postseason success.

6. Texas

In her third season after leaving Duke, head coach Gail Goestenkors might be questioning her choice to come to the Big 12. Texas has lost three straight, but can regain some momentum in their season finale on the road against Baylor. Texas is one of the many teams in the Big 12 that could really use a strong postseason tournament to bolster their resume.

7. Oklahoma State

The Cowgirls broke their five-game losing streak with an overtime win over Texas, but they still have a ways to go to lock up a solid seed in the NCAA tournament. With remaining games against Iowa State and Oklahoma, OSU still has a chance to make a late-season push.

8. Texas Tech

Convincing wins against Kansas and Baylor has given Texas Tech a chance to work their way back into potentially making the NCAA tournament. Wednesday night's rematch against Baylor in Lubbock will be a big chance for the Lady Raiders to improve their resume.

9. Kansas

With losses in five of their last six and a road trip to Lincoln this week, things are not looking good for KU. The Jayhawk's NCAA hopes were dashed with the season-ending injury to Danielle McCray three weeks ago, but KU still has a chance to be a favorite for the WNIT.

10. Kansas State

The Wildcats had their second game scoring less than 40 points this season when they lost to Iowa State last week 49-38. Couple that with losing 10 of their last 12 and things are not looking good for the folks in Manhattan.

11. Colorado

Colorado has slipped from their sleeper consideration early in the season by losing eight of their 10 games by ten points or more. With a match-up against Kansas State before their regular season finale with Iowa State, the Buffs have a chance to get a couple of wins and stay above .500 on the season.

12. Missouri

The bad news for the Tigers is that they missed their chance to climb out of the conference cellar when they lost to Colorado in overtime last week. The good news is that they only have two more games left in what has been called the toughest conference season in Big 12 history.
- compiled by Pat Radigan