Can Kim and Missouri keep up huge shooting improvements?

Remarkably, the Missouri Tigers have torn through a schedule rated as the 266th-toughest in such a fashion that MU has taken over as the sexy pick to top the Big 12 by season's end. Part of that has to do with Texas A&M's barely audible 8-3 start and Kansas' mixed play plus lack of depth. But, it is the way Frank Haith's Tigers play - with detailed organization Mike Anderson and Quin Snyder could only dream of - that has many talking. Haith hasn't limited Missouri's speed; he simply harnessed it.

He focused the shotgun energy into a laser on both ends of the floor, and it has led to an increase in statistical categories over last year including: scoring (80.8 to 87.1), field goal percentage (.458 to .519), 3-point FG (.366 to .404), 3s made per game (7.2 to 8.4), free throw percentage (.739 to .783) and rebounding margin (-2.0 to +4.3, despite losing Laurence Bowers to injury).

The Tigers are also turning the ball over three less times per game, which makes up for it causing 1.3 less turnovers than a year ago.

Five biggest stories heading into Big 12 play

Raphielle Johnson, one of our righteous dudes over at CollegeHoopsNet, put it best today when, in describing the start of conference play, tweeted, "Some leagues started in early December, but frankly three words sums it all up: s*** gets real."  Indeed.

So, here in Big 12 country, here are two factoids to consider as things get cranked up with Baylor hosting Texas A&M on Big Monday (Jan. 2): The Big 12 has sent six different teams to the Elite Eight in the past three seasons - the most of any conference. Also, it has earned 80 NCAA bids in its history, including 24 in the past four campaigns. That said, here are the five biggest stories I'll have my eye on as we roll into January.

K-State treasures found in Hawaii?

The Kansas State Wildcats achieved the goal set for Hawaii, overtaking what was largely a weak Diamond Head Classic field and winning the title on Sunday with a 77-60 win over Long Beach State. For K-State (10-1), however, the really encouraging stuff wasn't that the Wildcats took the title. Instead, it certainly appeared as though several players maximized opportunities afforded them during the sun-and-fun business trip.

With a week off now before a final nonconference game versus Howard, the question will be whether some of the treasures KSU uncovered in Waikiki were for real (if so, this is a Top 15-20 team with more upside to be had considering not all cylinders were firing), or more along the lines of Jim Wooldridge's fool's gold.

Knowing what we did about the players, and what we expected of them this year, I'm certainly leaning toward the former as the level of play was even louder than the coaching staff's shirts during Sunday's final.

Bill Self not crying wolf this time with KU?

Bill Self has played this card before. 

The head coach has called out his Kansas Jayhawks off-and-on over the years, saying this team didn't play well, or that team was soft, or just "wasn't very good." He would say these things, and we would halfheartedly listen, knowing the Jayhawks were only the next opponent away from proving there really wasn't anything to worry about. 

Brandon Rush's supposed shooting woes would wane. Sherron Collins would direct traffic and take over a game in crunch time. Tyrel Reed and Brady Morningstar would make slight corrections needed to again lock down the defensive perimeter. The Morris twins would find a way to provide a spark to a fire that never really went out to begin with. A program good enough to turnover multiple classes and still win seven conference championships doesn't have a fire problem.

K-State's Martin: "I don't take guys out because they make mistakes"

He turned the ball over, the horn blared and Kansas State freshman guard Angel Rodriguez put his head down. Without looking, he started to jog, slowly, toward the K-State bench, where he assumed some sort of verbal correction was imminent.

As freshmen usually are in their first semester, he was in the wrong.  It wasn't, however, what Rodriguez thought.

Head coach Frank Martin sent in a substitution for someone else, and the game continued. Kansas State went on to defeat Alabama 71-58. Rodriguez turned in his best all-around performance of the year, with a career high in points (13) and assists (7) in 26 key minutes as other guards battled foul problems and overall off nights. 

Martin, afterward, explained, in somewhat cryptic fashion, why his freshman, who was on the receiving end of a much-discussed, in-game tongue lashing against West Virginia, erred in his thinking that he was coming out of the game.

Video: K-State starters introduction from Sprint Center

Just prior to the start of the Alabama game, Kansas State had a chance to try out a slightly different starting lineup introduction. The arena lights went out, the flashers came on, and I think most KSU fans were sold. More than a few times following the game, I heard positive feedback and the sentiment that somehow, if possible, the Wildcats should try to do something very similar at Bramlage Coliseum. (There are some technical advances at Sprint Center not available in Manhattan, so keep that in mind.)

Watch the video I had a chance to shoot using the Xoom Tablet and judge for yourself. Leave a comment. I'm interested in hearing from more than the few I had a chance to talk with after the game.