February has come, which means it’s time for college basketball to get real.
While the season may not be at the frenzied level of March Madness just yet, the games will increase in both importance and intensity. The overlap with college football has gone and so has January positioning. The conference races will be in the stretch drive.
With the Big 12’s 7-3 edge in Saturday’s Big 12/SEC Challenge as a convenient season divider as well as the calendar, here are four things to consider in the conference’s stretch drive.
1. Little NCAA suspense. Expect six teams solidly into the NCAA Tournament field when Selection Sunday arrives.