Big 12 Tournament Tips Off: Houston Seeks Conference Crown in Expanded Field

The road to March Madness runs directly through Kansas City this week as the expanded 16-team Big 12 Conference Tournament descends upon the T-Mobile Center. After a season of thrilling upsets, dominant performances, and the integration of four new programs, the stakes are higher than ever for teams looking to solidify their NCAA Tournament seeding or punch their ticket to the Big Dance.

The Houston Cougars enter the tournament as the team to beat, having secured their second consecutive Big 12 regular season title. Head Coach Kelvin Sampson has molded a consistently excellent program, known for its suffocating defense and disciplined offense. While Houston enjoyed regular season success, the Big 12 Tournament offers a different kind of challenge – a gauntlet of potentially four games in four days, where depth, resilience, and a little bit of luck can prove to be the deciding factors. The Cougars will be looking to claim their first Big 12 Tournament championship, adding another accolade to their impressive season.

However, the path to the title will be anything but easy. The Big 12 has proven to be a brutally competitive conference, with no easy nights and a plethora of teams capable of pulling off upsets. Several teams pose a legitimate threat to Houston’s aspirations.

Texas Tech, under the guidance of a new coach, has emerged as a force in the conference. They’ve already demonstrated their ability to compete with the best, securing a victory against Houston earlier in the season. Their strong offense and tenacious defense make them a dangerous opponent for any team, and they will be vying for the title.

Arizona, one of the newcomers to the Big 12, has seamlessly integrated into the conference, showcasing an explosive offensive attack that has overwhelmed many opponents. Their ability to score points in bunches makes them a team that nobody wants to face in a tournament setting. If their defense can hold up, they have the potential to make a deep run.

Brigham Young, another new addition to the Big 12, has exceeded expectations this season, displaying a balanced approach that has propelled them to a top-four seed. Their ability to shoot the ball from beyond the arc makes them a difficult matchup, and they will be looking to make a statement in their first Big 12 Tournament appearance.

Iowa State, a team with a history of strong tournament performances, should never be counted out. The Cyclones have a knack for finding success in the Big 12 Tournament, and their experience in high-pressure situations could prove to be invaluable. They are a dark horse contender with the potential to surprise.

Beyond the teams vying for the championship, several programs are looking to improve their NCAA Tournament resumes. Kansas, a perennial powerhouse, has had an up-and-down season, but a strong showing in Kansas City could help them secure a better seed in the Big Dance. Their talented roster and experienced coaching staff make them a dangerous team to face.

Baylor, another team with NCAA Tournament aspirations, needs to solidify their position with a strong showing. They have the talent to compete with the best, but they need to find consistency in their performance. A deep run in the tournament would greatly improve their seeding prospects.

West Virginia is also on the bubble, hoping to impress the selection committee with a strong performance. Their grit and determination make them a difficult team to play against, and they will be fighting for every possession. A few key wins could be enough to secure their spot in the NCAA Tournament.

The tournament format offers advantages to the top teams. The top four seeds – Houston, Texas Tech, Arizona and Brigham Young – receive a double-bye, giving them a significant rest advantage and a clearer path to the later rounds. Teams seeded 5-8 receive a single bye, giving them a slight edge over the teams that have to play on the first day.

The tournament begins on Tuesday, March 11th, with the first-round games. No. 12 Oklahoma State faces No. 13 Cincinnati, No. 9 TCU battles No. 16 Colorado, No. 10 Kansas State takes on No. 15 Arizona State, and No. 11 Utah squares off against No. 14 UCF. These opening-round matchups will be crucial for teams looking to build momentum and advance in the tournament.

The second round on Wednesday sees the top eight teams enter the fray. No. 5 Iowa State awaits the winner of the Oklahoma State-Cincinnati game, No. 8 West Virginia faces the winner of the TCU-Colorado matchup, No. 7 Baylor takes on the winner of the Kansas State-Arizona State game, and No. 6 Kansas battles the winner of the Utah-UCF contest. These games will be pivotal in setting the stage for the quarterfinal matchups.

The quarterfinal games on Thursday will pit the top four seeds against the winners of the second-round games. No. 4 Brigham Young will face the winner of the Iowa State game, No. 1 Houston will take on the winner of the West Virginia game, No. 2 Texas Tech will battle the winner of the Baylor game, and No. 3 Arizona will square off against the winner of the Kansas game. These games will be intense, high-stakes battles with a spot in the semifinals on the line.

The semifinals on Friday will determine the two teams that will compete for the championship. The winners of the Brigham Young and Houston quarterfinal games will face off in the first semifinal, while the winners of the Texas Tech and Arizona quarterfinal games will battle in the second semifinal. These games will be hard-fought, emotional contests with a championship berth at stake.

The championship game on Saturday will be a culmination of all the hard work and effort put in by the two remaining teams. The winner will be crowned the Big 12 Tournament champion and will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

The entire tournament will be available on ESPN networks, with the first round exclusively on ESPN+. The second round will have two games on ESPN+ and the other two on either ESPN, ESPN2, or ESPNU. The quarterfinals and semifinals will be on either ESPN or ESPN2, and the championship game will be on ESPN.

With a newly expanded field and a host of talented teams vying for the title, the Big 12 Tournament promises to be an exciting and unpredictable event. Kansas City will be the center of the college basketball world this week as teams battle for supremacy and a chance to make their mark on the road to March Madness. The Big 12 Conference has consistently proven to be one of the toughest in the nation, and this year’s tournament is set to be another thrilling chapter in its history. Don’t miss a moment of the action as these teams fight for the crown and a chance to dance.