Daily Bullets (Mar. 7): Most Viewed of the Week, 3-2-1, Big 12 Expansion Ideas Bubbling?

Pokes wrap up their season today in Austin at 3pm – kind of crazy how beating the Sooners this week saved Shaka Smart’s job. 

Bullets Rundown

• Big 12 expansion ideas bubbling
• Bryce Thompson chatter
• NBA moving season?

Scores

• BB: Pokes 6, BYU 1
• SB: Cowgirls 15, Mo State 1 and Cowgirls 7, Murray State 3
• WT: Cowgirls 4, Texas Tech 1

3 Ideas

• Love this one: the Big 12 needs to cherrypick teams from the Pac-12.

Between now and when the Pac-12’s media rights deal — and accompanying Grant of Rights agreement — runs out in spring 2024, the Big 12 needs to invite USC, UCLA, Oregon, Washington, Arizona and Arizona State. The Big 12 needs to do to the Pac-12 what the Pac-12 tried to do 10 years ago to the Big 12. It needs to do it unapologetically.

If we learned anything from the previous rounds of conference realignment, this is a kill-or-be-killed business. [The Athletic $$$]

This makes absolute sense. In what world would the Pac-12 not do the same thing to the Big 12 (again)?

• This one is really fun as long as you guard your heart in the process: let’s talk about potential around five-star recruit Bryce Thompson.

Could five-star recruit Bryce Thompson, who chose Kansas over OSU, be in play if things go especially sidewise? If Self is suspended 20 games or a season or to infinity and beyond, would he consider getting out of his NLI? [PFB]

• Something that would impact college basketball (and the Pokes) would be the NBA starting their season in December – love the idea.

2 Quotes 3 Quotes

• This JT Thor update from recruiting guru Corey Evans was v. good.

The discourse between Thor and OSU has dwindled throughout the winter months. They remain in the picture and recent talk of Thor skipping college entirely has dissipated, but it looks like the Cowboys are more enticed by the idea of landing a shot-maker or two before completing its 2020 class. [Rivals]

• Mike Boynton talking about fans/media/whoever reaching for the big red button to fire a coach too fast is overplayed in college sports today.

People were calling for Shaka Smart's job after his team's 29-point loss in Ames last month, but since the Longhorns have won five straight.

Here is #okstate coach Mike Boynton on the rush to call for coaches' jobs and his thoughts of the job Smart has done in Austin: pic.twitter.com/XUtzaVa6xQ

— Marshall Scott (@Marshall_Once) March 6, 2020

• We’ve all heard it before but this Tony Allen quote on the impact Eddie Sutton had on his career is terrific.

“I asked him could I go to the NBA if I came to his program,” Allen said. “He told me if I listen to him and do all of the things that’s required of me at this program, then I’m going to be a pro. Now look at me, a 14-year-veteran all coming from coach Sutton. I’ve got to give all my credit to him because he straightened me up a whole lot.” [TulsaWorld]

1 Question

• What six teams would you want from the Pac-12?

It’s tough to make an argument around competitiveness for something other LA teams, Arizona teams, Oregon, and Washington but I’d hear out somebody telling me Stanford and Cal are better for the academic brand than the Zonas. 

Most Viewed of the Week

• No. 1: Five Thoughts on Iowa State Win
• No. 2: AJ Green with some solid combine numbers
• No. 3: Donovan Williams headed to town on 3/20
• No. 4: What the 2020 seniors saw in Stillwater
• No. 5: Five Thoughts on K-State Win

Non-OSU Bullets

• This non-fiction book was terrific – the counter to Gladwell’s 10,000-hour rule
• Loved this faith-based piece on contentment “not being passive”
• Zach Lowe’s always-good “ten things” keeps you up on the NBA this week