March 5, 1999

By BRIAN MAHONEY
AP MegaSports Writer

KANSAS CITY, Mo.-- Big 12 coaches were reluctant to choose a favorite to win the conference tournament. But if they were forced to make a guess, it would be hard to pick against Missouri.

The second-seeded Tigers (20-7), rested and healthy after a first-round bye, play their first tournament game Friday when they battle Kansas State (19-11) in a quarterfinal contest in Kansas City, Mo.

At No. 24, Missouri is the only Big 12 team in this week's Associated Press poll. The Tigers finished second to Texas in the regular season and showed they are ready for the tournament by knocking off the Longhorns in Austin in their finale.

"We're going into the tournament full blast," center Monte Hardge said following that victory.

More importantly, it appears that Missouri is going in at full strength. Freshman guard Keyon Dooling returned to the lineup against Texas following an ankle injury and concussion and was able to play 28 minutes. Doctors have said that there is no damage to the ankle.

The Tigers closed the regular season with two straight wins and have one of the Big 12's best all-around players in Albert White, who averages 16.4 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. They also beat Kansas State twice this season, but coach Norm Stewart refuses to name his team as the favorite.

"In basketball today there are fewer and fewer actual upsets," he said. "Parity makes things possible. That's why there's such interest."

Kansas State also has momentum after the best shooting game in Big 12 tournament history. The seventh-seeded Wildcats shot 59 percent in an 87-76 first-round victory over Texas A&M on Thursday.

The Wildcats closed the regular season by losing five of their last nine games, but led the Big 12 by holding opponents to 37 percent shooting. If they can do that plus get the type of hot shooting they got Thursday, they have a chance to upset the Tigers.

"I've always said if we can get everyone shooting the ball well, we can be pretty good," Wildcats forward Josh Reid said. "I've always said if we're all shooting well, we'll get some good inside shots."

The winner advances to face third-seeded Kansas or sixth-seeded Nebraska in the semifinals.