Kansas’ regular-season conference title was validated at the Big 12 Tournament each year. It also confirmed its status as one the top seeds and heavy favorites to the NCAA Tournament.
This has changed over time.
Five schools participated in the Big 12 title game. Three schools won trophies: Texas last season and Iowa State three years ago. Jayhawks last year. Since the Cyclones won both the 2014 and 2015 editions, no school has ever won back-toback titles.
The tournament this year is expected to be just as open.
The sixth-ranked Jayhawks, ranked sixth in the country, are back as top seeds and will face the winner of Wednesday’s opening-round match between West Virginia and Kansas State. Baylor, the national champion defending, is the third-ranked seed. It tries to win the No. 2 seed in its Big 12 tourney championship. 14 Texas Tech is ranked third under Mark Adams, the coach of the year. The No. 21 Longhorns have the potential to defend their title of fourth seed in the tournament.
“I believe in these men. Chris Beard, who coached the Red Raiders in five Big 12 tourneys, said that he believes in these guys. He will also be representing Texas for the first-time. It’s been a difficult season. It’s the first time. It’s tough. While we play in the most difficult conference in the country, relationships are being built. It’s now fun. It’s time to win. It’s March!
Beard stated, “I believe we’re going be a major factor in Kansas City.” “I believe we’re going be a factor at the NCAA Tournament.”
TCU will host the Longhorns in Thursday’s quarterfinal round. TCU went 19-11 last season and split two regular-season games against Kansas. While Baylor plays No. 1, the Jayhawks will follow. The Red Raiders and 7-seed Oklahoma wrap up a quadruple of ranked games against sixth-seeded Cyclones.
The Jayhawks have been on a rollercoaster ride all season. In the last few weeks, they lost to Baylor and TCU consecutively. Then, they rebounded to beat TCU and win the No. Texas was the No. 1 seed.
They could still be the best team if the Jayhawks are healthy, which has been a major question this season.
Jalen Wilson, Kansas forward, stated that “these last few weeks we had the chance to seal it” and “kind of take it away for everyone but having two losses consecutively shocked us a bit.” “We are just now showing what we can do.”
BEARING DOWN
Baylor has participated in three Big 12 Tournament titles games without ever reducing the nets. In 2014, the Bears lost the No. 7 seed to Iowa State in finals.
Baylor guard James Akinjo said, “I feel really good regarding this team.” His team has won five consecutive games. “I feel like we are playing some of the best basketball right now. It’s possible to get better, but we have to keep going.
STAR SEARCH
Ochai Agbaji, Kansas’ guard, was unanimously selected for the All-Big 12 first-team selection this week. He also won The Associated Press Big 12 player award. Akinjo, Iowa State guard Izaiah Bergington, Nijel Pack from Kansas State, and Texas Tech forward Bryson Wils joined him for the first time.
SLIPPING CYCLONES
Iowa State won 12 of its 12 first games under T.J. Otzelberger. Then, it lost nine of its first twelve games to start league play. The Cyclones ended up finishing 20-11, having won just two games last season under Steve Prohm. A win in Kansas City would be enough to secure their NCAA Tournament status.
SURGING SOON
Former Loyola Chicago coach Porter Moser got Oklahoma off to a great start, winning 11 of its 13 games with highlights against Arkansas and Florida. The Sooners suffered a pair four-game skids in Big 12 play that put doubt on their NCAA eligibility. They are coming to Kansas City with three straight wins, and need a few more.
BIG NINE
The NCAA has banned Oklahoma State from playing in postseason play. This is part of a series of sanctions that will be imposed on the NCAA for violating rules. The Cowboys failed to win an exemption from the league tournament.
