Big 12 Tournament Preview: Team Highlights and Historical Notes
The Big 12 Tournament begins on Wednesday in Kansas City. Each team has something at stake going into the tournament. Here we highlight each team’s record in the Big 12 Tournament, their success in winning the Big 12 Tournament title and what they’re hoping to accomplish (realistically) this week.
BAYLOR
Big 12 Tournament Record: 16-23
Big 12 Tournament Titles: None
Big 12 Tournament Finals Appearances: 3 (2009, 2012, 2014, lost all three).
Seed in 2021: No. 1.
Did you know?: Baylor has a winning record in just one round of the Big 12 Tournament — the quarterfinal round (7-6).
What’s at Stake?: The Bears appear to be a lock for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. So, the Bears are seeking to win its first Big 12 Tournament. In fact, with a title in Kansas City, the Bears would become the first No. 1 seed that ISN’T Kansas to win the title since 2004, when Oklahoma State claimed the Big 12 Tournament title.
READ MORE: Baylor Wins Big 12 Regular-Season Championship
IOWA STATE
Big 12 Tournament Record: 20-19
Big 12 Tournament Titles: 5 (2019, 2017, 2015, 2014, 2000)
Big 12 Tournament Finals Appearances: 5 (won all five).
Seed in 2021: No. 10.
Did you know?: Iowa State is the only team in the Big 12 with a spotless record in the Big 12 Championship game (5-0).
What’s at Stake?: The Cyclones are trying to avoid an exit in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament for the 12th in their history (3-11 in the first round entering the tournament).
READ MORE: Iowa State Basketball: Candidates to Replace Steve Prohm
KANSAS
Big 12 Tournament Record: 46-12
Big 12 Tournament Titles: 11 (2018, 2016, 2013, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2006, 1999, 1998, 1997)
Big 12 Tournament Finals Appearances: 14 (11-3 record).
Seed in 2021: No. 2.
Did you know?: Kansas is the only team in the Big 12 with a winning record in every round of the Big 12 Tournament. The Jayhawks are even 1-0 in the first round.
What’s at Stake?: The Jayhawks are out to win their 12th Big 12 Tournament championship and their third in the last five tournaments (the 2020 Tournament was canceled due to the pandemic).
READ MORE: Are the Jayhawks the ‘Overlooked’ Big 12 Team in March?
KANSAS STATE
Big 12 Tournament Record: 16-23
Big 12 Tournament Titles: None (won two Big 8 Tournament titles)
Big 12 Tournament Finals Appearances: 2 (0-2 record).
Seed in 2021: No. 9.
Did you know?: Kansas State has a 7-6 record in the Big 12 Tournament’s first round.
What’s at Stake?: The Wildcats are trying to win a game and get to the quarterfinals, where they have a 7-10 record all-time.
OKLAHOMA
Big 12 Tournament Record: 22-20
Big 12 Tournament Titles: 3 (2003, 2002, 2001)
Big 12 Tournament Finals Appearances: 2 (3-2 record).
Seed in 2021: No. 7.
Did you know?: Oklahoma is the only other team, besides Kansas, to win the Big 12 Tournament title three years in a row.
What’s at Stake?: The Sooners are out to, at the least, make a deep run to try and improve their standing in the NCAA Tournament.
OKLAHOMA STATE
Big 12 Tournament Record: 25-21
Big 12 Tournament Titles: 2 (2005, 2004)
Big 12 Tournament Finals Appearances: 3 (2-1 record).
Seed in 2021: No. 5.
Did you know?: Oklahoma State is the best team in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament all-time, sporting a 13-2 record.
What’s at Stake?: The Cowboys are trying to be the spoiler in the Big 12 Tournament, out to win their third tournament title with freshman Cade Cunningham leading the way.
READ MORE: It’s Time for Oklahoma State to Pay Mike Boynton
TCU
Big 12 Tournament Record: 5-8
Big 12 Tournament Titles: None.
Big 12 Tournament Finals Appearances: None.
Seed in 2021: No. 8.
Did you know?: TCU has reached the Big 12 Tournament semifinals just once since it joined the league, coming in 2017.
What’s at Stake?: The Cowboys are trying to reach the quarterfinals and, perhaps keep a sliver of hope alive for an NIT berth.
TEXAS
Big 12 Tournament Record: 26-23
Big 12 Tournament Titles: None.
Big 12 Tournament Finals Appearances: 6 (0-6 record).
Seed in 2021: No. 3.
Did you know?: Texas won two Southwest Conference Tournament championships in 1994-95, but hasn’t had the pleasure in the Big 12.
What’s at Stake?: The Longhorns are trying to get back to the Big 12 title game for the first time since 2011.
TEXAS TECH
Big 12 Tournament Record: 14-23
Big 12 Tournament Titles: None.
Big 12 Tournament Finals Appearances: 1 (0-1 record).
Seed in 2021: No. 6.
Did you know?: Texas Tech has a losing record in every round of the Big 12 Tournament.
What’s at Stake?: The Red Raiders are looking for a deep tournament run, hoping to improve their seeding in the NCAA Tournament.
WEST VIRGINIA
Big 12 Tournament Record: 8-7
Big 12 Tournament Titles: None.
Big 12 Tournament Finals Appearances: 3 (0-3 record).
Seed in 2021: No. 4.
Did you know?: The Mountaineers actually have the second-most conference tournament championships among Big 12 teams, when you include their time before the Big 12. The Mountaineers have 13, while Kansas has 15.
What’s at Stake?: The Mountaineers are seeking their first Big 12 Tournament championship, and their first finals appearance since 2018. Reaching the finals would give the Mountaineers four finals appearances in the last five tournaments.
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard. Send him a tweet with your question to be included in this week’s Big 12 Basketball Mailbag, which appears each Friday during the conference season.
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