The Griner Effect.

This weekend is the Big XII Women's Basketball Tournament in Dallas. Groupon has a deal out right now - $40 for the Friday and Saturday games. A pretty good price if it was going to be a good tournament. However, I imagine this year's will look similar to last year's championship. With Baylor returning their entire starting line-up and going in as the #1 seed again, the Bears are sure to dominate from tip-off of the second round.

I can appreciate an athlete with talent. Any athlete, male or female, that dominates a sport deserves recognition. So why is it that The Griner Effect leaves a bitter taste in my mouth and creates some fire in my eyes? I get all Metta World Peace-like whenever I see her beat her chest. I guess everyone is entitled to their expressive ways.

Brittney Griner is a female athlete playing on a women's collegiate basketball team. I do not question her gender any more than I question her game. She is an extraordinary player with extraordinary qualities. Under the direction of a fearless and competitive coach, Griner was able to develop her qualities and possess a dominating skill set under the basket.

So again, what is it about her that has people shaking their heads rather than pumping their fists? When Sophia Young was the face of Baylor, nobody questioned her place in the game. When Courtney Paris averaged almost 20 boards a game for Oklahoma, no one doubted her role on the court.

Maybe it was that one game in 2010. You know, the one against Texas Tech where Jordan Barncastle's nose lost to Brittney's right hand...

Or more recently when Brittney got called for a flagrant in February against UConn's Stefanie Dolson only to be followed by an obvious no-call later in the game. And that is when a close, competitive game started to go in Baylor's favor.

Now before anyone starts accusing me of hating the player, let me set you straight by saying I fear I may be hating the game. It was entertaining the first and second year, watching Griner showcase her talents. But this year, it hasn't been fun. I've been on the sideline of a rebuilding team, Texas. Between the Longhorns rebuilding and my favorite bar, which burned down a year and a half ago and is supposedly rebuilding (they haven't broken ground yet!), it's no wonder I haven't become a closet alcoholic at the mercy of my recliner and mini fridge. This year, the Big XII is a struggling conference with an already-crowned Champion coasting the season. Every game is over by the half. Brittney leads in scoring and blocks and doesn't come close to her opponents in minutes played. 40 points against Texas Tech. 50 points against Kansas State. And let's not overlook the triple-double she recorded against West Virginia, her 5th in her career. She is a beast. And I mean that in the most complementary, non-Rutgers-stigma way possible.

It was a celebrated era when UConn went on their run - undefeated in '08-'09 and again in '09-'10. Maya Moore was a goddess on the court. She dominated, as well...but apparently in a more graceful manner? No one questioned her role and her gender. She was a Husky Queen. Right up there with Taurasi and Sue Bird.

Now, back to the Tournament. We just saw what Baylor, or rather Brittney, can do against the Wildcats...

Drop-step dunk, WHAT?!

Texas is struggling...again. Texas Tech has lost a couple in a row. Oklahoma is surprisingly holding their own. With four Sooners suffering season-ending injuries earlier this year, Sherri Coale is doing what she does best with eight active players and two volleyball players they picked up for the Spring season. Iowa State is having a decent season. But decent gets overlooked when next to phenomenal. Oh, and decent probably won't get you a conference title this year. Sorry, Lady Cyclones.

So, how do you hype up a tournament that is over before it begins?

You posterize the face of the Conference. Nneka Enemkpali and Brittany Chambers don't sell tickets. Brittney Griner does. The Griner Effect, March 8-11.

-bObD.