The Big 12 Tournament is about to begin, and there are still some teams that are playing for a spot in the NCAA tournament, plus there are seeding implications on the line as well. I’m going to take a shot at predicting each game’s outcome for the entire Big 12 tournament. It all starts Tuesday morning at 11:00, so let’s get into it.
Tuesday, March 10th
No. 13 Baylor vs No. 12 Arizona State, 11:30 AM, ESPN+
We get things going with Baylor and Arizona State. This should be a pretty evenly matched game and may very well come down to the wire. Either of these teams could win, but I’ll take the Sun Devils, who looked pretty good against good teams in the final week of the regular season.
Winner: Arizona State
No. 16 Utah vs No. 9 Cincinnati, 2:00 PM, ESPN+
There’s not much to debate in this one. Cincinnati is the better team and should move on with no issues.
Winner: Cincinnati
No. 15 Kansas State vs No. 10 BYU, 6:00 ESPN+
BYU is the better team, and Kansas State’s horrific season will thankfully come to a close.
Winner: BYU
No. 14 Oklahoma State vs No. 11 Colorado, 8:30, ESPN+
Colorado won the regular-season matchup by double-digits, and there’s no reason to believe they won’t win a rematch.
Winner: Colorado
Wednesday, March 11th
No. 5 Iowa State vs No. 12 Arizona State, 11:30 AM, ESPN
Arizona State’s run ends here. Iowa State fans will have Kansas City rocking, and having a top 10 team nationally playing on the second day of the Big 12 tournament goes to show just how deep this conference is this season. The Cyclones will get a big win here to get their postseason off on the right foot.
Winner: Iowa State
No. 8 UCF vs No. 9 Cincinnati, 2:00 PM, ESPNU
UCF closed the season on a three-game losing streak, while Cincinnati had an up-and-down season but had big wins over Kansas and BYU in the final month of the season. UCF was a lock for the tournament for most of the season, but now they are on the bubble and need to get a win in Kansas City to support their resume. This one should be a fantastic day two game at the Big 12 tournament. Knowing they need a win for their NCAA tournament bid chances to increase, I like the Knights coming out on top.
Winner: UCF
No. 7 West Virginia vs No. 10 BYU, 6:00 PM. ESPNU
I can’t figure out this West Virginia team. They have some quality wins, including a win over the Cougars just a couple of weeks ago, but they have also lost to Kansas State, Oklahoma State, and Utah over the past month. BYU should have a decent amount of support in Kansas City, more than West Virginia, so I lean Cougars in this one.
Winner: BYU
No. 6 TCU vs No. 11 Colorado, 8:30 PM, ESPN2
Colorado just doesn’t have enough juice to win multiple games in Kansas City. TCU closed the season on a five-game winning streak to get itself in position to make the NCAA tournament. A win in Kansas City would certainly help their status.
Winner: TCU
Thursday, March 12th, All Games on ESPN or ESPN 2 (TBD)
No. 4 Texas Tech vs No. 5 Iowa State 11:30 AM
Texas Tech has continued to play well without JT Toppin and even beat Iowa State in Ames just a couple of weeks ago. With revenge on the mind, I think the Cyclones get one back against the Red Raiders in Kansas City.
Winner: Iowa State
No.1 Arizona vs No. 8 UCF 2:00 PM
Arizona is one of the best teams in the country, and UCF shouldn’t give them too much trouble on a neutral court. The Knights will be a nervous wreck on Selection Sunday, but should get into the dance.
Winner: Arizona
No. 2 Houston vs No. 10 BYU 6:00 PM
Houston continues to be one of the feistiest teams in the country. BYU making it to the semifinals would not shock me, but Houston is just the better team from top to bottom, and I expect them to pick up this win. The Cougars will be a dangerous lower-seeded team in the national tournament.
Winner: Houston
No. 3 Kansas vs No. 6 TCU 8:30
Kansas will have a large contingent driving up the road from Lawrence and should make for a home atmosphere for the Jayhawks. TCU took them to overtime at Allen Fieldhouse early in conference play, but Kansas should be able to handle them more efficiently this time around.
Winner: Kansas
Friday, March 13th, Games on ESPN or ESPN 2
No. 1 Arizona vs No. 5 Iowa State 6:00 PM
Arizona dominated Iowa State in Tucson near the end of the regular season. Iowa State always plays with an extra boost in Kansas City with their large traveling fanbase each March, and it will feel a lot like Hilton South in this matchup. Arizona is the better overall team, but it’s hard to bet against Iowa State in this specific spot.
Winner: Iowa State
No. 2 Houston vs No. 3 Kansas 8:30 PM
Kansas beat Houston on Big Monday just a few weeks ago, and the Jayhawks should have a bigger crowd in Kansas City. However, when it comes to tournament play, the Cougars feel like the team to beat in this one. This would be one of the best games in Kansas City this week if we get this matchup.
Winner: Houston
Saturday, March 14th, Championship Game, 5:00 PM, ESPN
No. 2 Houston vs No. 5 Iowa State
I’m sure the folks in Kansas City would love to see a Kansas vs Iowa State championship, but this would be a fantastic final. Iowa State beat Houston in Ames back on Monday, February 16th, in what was a great back-and-forth battle. Cyclones fans would show out for this one, but it won’t quite be the same as a Hilton Big Monday feel. Houston will be out for revenge from that February loss, and a Big 12 tournament championship would give the Cougars momentum heading into the big dance.
Winner and Big 12 Tournament Champion: Houston
No matter how this whole thing shakes out, the Big 12 will be well represented as the NCAA tournament bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday. This is March!
