Second ranked Alabama and #3 Kansas Lose in March 4th College Basketball Action

This weekend marks the end of the college basketball regular season for the larger conferences, which will be followed by conference tournaments this week (some mid majors are already into conference tournaments). Conference tournaments tend to be full of upsets, but we got a preview of that sort of thing this weekend.

#2 Alabama went to College Station, Texas to take on #24 Texas A & M. The Crimson Tide had already locked up the SEC Championship, while A & M had secured second place. Nonetheless, Texas A & M would enhance its standing with the NCAA tournament Selection Committee with a victory over Alabama.

Consider it enhanced. Wade Taylor IV scored 28 and Tyrece Radford added 21 as A & M beat Alabama 67-61. Alabama finishes the regular season 26-5 overall and 16-2 in the SEC, while Texas A & M finishes just one game behind Alabama in SEC play at 15-3, and 23-8 overall.

In Austin, Texas,  the ninth ranked Texas Longhorns hosted #3 Kansas. The Jayhawks had already clinched the regular season Big 12 title, but Texas, #7 Baylor, and #11 Kansas State were all tied for second. But Iowa State easily handled Baylor 73-58 while West Virginia took care of Kansas State 89-81. A Longhorns’ win over the Jayhawks would give Texas second place on its own, and like Texas A & M, boost its image in the eyes of the Selection Committee with a win over a quality opponent.

It was mission accomplished. The Longhorns dominated this one, jumping off to a 32-24 halftime lead on the way to a 75-59 victory. Sir’Jabari Rice came off the bench to lead Texas in scoring and rebounds (23 and seven) while Tyrese Hunter added 20 points. Kansas finishes at 13-5 in the Big 12 and 25-6 overall, while Texas ends at 12-6 and 23-8.