Arguably the most competitive league in college hoops will begin tournament play this Wednesday. The Big 12 is stacked this season, with multiple teams capable of making deep runs in March. The conference tournament should provide some fireworks, as NCAA seeding will be on the line. Let’s take a look at everything we should know for the first tip-off in Kansas City.
Big 12 Tournament Bracket
Favorite To Win: Baylor Bears
The Bears have stood out in a league of phenomenal teams. Baylor only dropped one game this season, and it came in a week where they were just starting to play again after a COVID-related program pause. This is a team that has legitimate national championship aspirations. Led by their backcourt of Jared Butler and Davion Mitchell, the Bears attack you for 40 minutes. They shoot the ball better than just about every team in the country, and are very physical on the defensive end of the ball. Scott Drew has never had a group like this in Waco. Navigating the Big 12 Tournament will be tough, but toughness defines this group.
Player To Watch: Cade Cunningham
Cunningham is the projected #1 overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. Earlier today, he was named the conference player of the year. While I personally would’ve gone with Jared Butler, it’s hard to ignore what Cunningham has done in his lone season for Oklahoma State. Cunningham has incredible command over the offense and always seems to make the right basketball play. His high IQ blended with his size and skill are what intrigues NBA scouts so much. He’s also currently dealing with an injury, so it will be interesting to see if he’s limited at all as the Cowboys gear up for March Madness. If healthy, however, Cade is the player that can take Oklahoma State on a magical run through March.
Team To Watch: Oklahoma Sooners
There are a lot of great options for this pick in the Big 12. Every team seeded 1-7 is dangerous, and they’re all playing for something in Kansas City this week. I’m going with the Sooners because I think they have the most at stake this week. A top-10 team just weeks ago, Oklahoma has been on a skid lately. They enter the tournament on a four-game losing streak, including a very bad loss to Kansas State. The losses pushed them all the way into the 7th seed in the conference, meaning they’ll have to play Wednesday night in Round 1. A loss to 2-21 Iowa State in round one could honestly put their entire tournament status into question. Nobody’s facing more pressure this week than Lon Kruger and his crew.
Current Tournament Teams: 7
Even with that warning above, I don’t think Oklahoma will lose to Iowa State. That win would lock them in, and keep the conference number at 7. Baylor, Kansas, Texas, West Virginia, Oklahoma State, and Texas Tech will all be dancing regardless of what happens to them this week. I’m looking at the Big 12 as the conference that might be the most successful in March.
Prediction: Baylor
It isn’t unreasonable to pick a number of these teams to get hot this week, but Baylor’s given me no reason to believe they’re dropping a game in the conference tournament. At their best, the Bears shoot it better than anyone in the conference, they defend better than anyone in the conference, and they have tremendous leaders. I think Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma State and West Virginia are all capable of giving them a scare, but ultimately this team is built for these moments. Baylor’s aspirations extend beyond the conference tournament this season, but adding some extra hardware along the way isn’t a bad place to start.
