Mike Anderson and the University of Missouri are close to completing a two-year extension that would keep the coach from further entertaining overtures from Arkansas.

The deal would add two years to the five remaining on Anderson's current contract.

A source said the two sides have been working out the terms of an extension for weeks and that a proposal is awaiting approval from the UM Board of Curators, who would discuss it during their scheduled meeting in Rolla, which began Monday morning and will conclude Tuesday.

Missouri has compiled a record of 111-57 since Anderson, who spent 17 years in Fayetteville, Ark., as an assistant coach took over the program in 2006 and has reached the past three NCAA Tournaments.

Missouri’s pressure defense is something that concerns Cincinnati Coach Mick Cronin.

“I’m a little bit worried about how our guys will handle it,” he said. “We really haven’t faced anybody who has played their kind of game all year.”

The Tigers average 9.8 steals a game, tied with Duquesne for tops in the nation.

According to Cronin, his message has been simple: “Pass the ball to the guy who is open. And do it right away.”

Cronin went on to point out that the ones who dribble too much are the ones that end up with all the turnovers.

The Big 12 is reportedly close to signing 10-year, $60 million television rights deal with Fox, a $40 million in increase from what it now receives from its cable contract.

The conference’s broadcast rights contract with ABC/ESPN expire after the 2015-16 season.

Two sources indicated that the $60 million might be a low-end projection. A deal could be announced by early April.

Kansas defeated Texas by an 85-73 final in the title game of the 2011 Big 12 Tournament.

Marcus Morris was named Tournament MVP and joined on the All-Tournament team by brother and teammate Markieff Morris, Jordan Hamilton and Tristan Thompson (Texas) and Alec Burks (Colorado).

• Click here to view RealGM’s comprehensive list of 2011 Conference Tournaments.

Ohio State is the No. 1 overall seed in the 2011 NCAA Tournament and will be placed in the East Region.

Joining the Buckeyes No. 1 seeds is Kansas in the Midwest, Pittsburgh in the Southeast and Duke in the West.

Pitt is the only No. 1 seed to not win their conference tournament, losing to eventual champion Connecticut in the quarterfinals.

San Diego State, North Carolina, Notre Dame and Florida are the No. 2 seeds, while Syracuse, Purdue, Connecticut and BYU are the No. 3 seeds. Kentucky, Louisville, Texas and Wisconsin are the No. 4 seeds.

Kansas and Duke were also No. 1 seeds in the 2010 NCAA Tournament, while Ohio State was a No. 2 and Pitt was a No. 3.

The Final Four will be held in Houston on April 2nd and 4th.

• Click here to view RealGM’s 2011 NCAA Tournament Page.

Michael Dixon scored 17 points and hit eight of nine key free throws to lead Missouri to an 88-84 victory over Texas Tech that put an end to a season-long, three-game skid for the Tigers.

It was Dixon’s speed, drive and daring that saved the Tigers, who advanced to face Texas A&M at 8:30 tonight in the Big 12 quarterfinals.

Missouri, 23-9, very likely took away the angst at what a fourth straight loss might have done to their NCAA Tournament seeding, if not the assurance of making the Big Dance.

Marcus Morris of Kansas won the Big 12 Player of the Year Award, while Tristan Thompson of Texas was named Freshman of the Year and Ricardo Ratliffe was Newcomer of the Year.

Joining Morris on the First Team are Alec Burks (Colorado), Marcus Denmon (Missouri), LaceDarius Dunn (Baylor), Jordan Hamilton (Texas) and Jacob Pullen (Kansas State).

On the Second team are Thompson, Markieff Morris (Kansas), Kris Middleton (Texas A&M), Perry Jones (Baylor) and Diante Garrett (Iowa State).

On the Third Team are Gary Johnson (Texas), Cory Higgins (Colorado), Lance Jeter (Nebraska), David Loubeau (Texas A&M), Rodney McGruder (Kansas State) and Marshall Moses (Oklahoma State).

Dogus Balbay of Texas was named Defensive Player of the Year.

• Click here for more award information from the Big 12.

No. 2 Kansas defeated No. 22 Missouri 70-66 on Saturday to win their seventh straight Big 12 championship.

Marcus Morris and Thomas Robinson had double-doubles for the Jayhawks, who handed the Tigers their first home loss of the season.