The Big 12 Tournament is in full swing, determining the conference champion and awarding the winner an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
It provides seeding advantages (double-byes for top teams like Arizona and Houston) and boosts at-large bids’ resumes. The champion secures one of 68 NCAA spots regardless of regular-season record; others rely on selection committee metrics like NET rankings.
As a result, it can be a very important competition for many. Indeed, it can also influence the NCAA mens basketball championship odds in a dramatic way, with bettors able to keep an eye and learn all about the early favorites before the competition starts.
The Big 12 has historically been one of the most successful conferences, sending multiple teams to the national title game annually and claiming five national titles. Over the last five editions, the conference has led in bids and wins:
- 2025: 8 teams, 7 wins
- 2024: 7 teams, 9 wins
- 2023: 7 teams, record not specified but strong
- 2022: Kansas national champions, 13-5 record
- 2021: Baylor national champions, 11-6 record
Kansas and Iowa State have combined to win 18 of the previous 28 editions. Seven other titles have gone two teams that are no longer in the league. The conference boasts five NCAA titles (1952, 1988, 2008, 2021, 2022) and nine total from current members.
This year’s edition of March Madness should have another strong showing from Big 12 teams. Projections suggest that there will be between 7 and 8 teams, with top seeds expected to be Arizona (28-2), Houston (25-5), and Kansas (21-9), regardless of how well they do in the Big 12 Tournament.
Arizona Wildcats favorites to win Big 12 Tournament
Arizona Wildcats enter the 2026 Big 12 Tournament as the clear favorites due to their dominant regular season, where they clinched the first Big 12 title in program history with an 18-2 conference record and 29-2 overall mark.
As the No. 1 seed, they earned a double-bye, positioning them to face lower-seeded opponents in the quarterfinals after the first two rounds, which minimizes early wear in the loaded Kansas City bracket.
Their offensive efficiency ranks among the nation’s best at 1.177 points per possession, complemented by a stifling defense (0.928 defensive efficiency, second in the Big 12), allowing them to control games through relentless interior play and a fast pace of 73.6 possessions per game.
Key individual honors further underscore their edge, with some top player contributions throughout the year.
Jaden Bradley earned Player of the Year (13.4 PPG, 4.6 APG), Tobe Awaka took Sixth Man (9.9 PPG, 9.7 RPG off bench), and coach Tommy Lloyd was named Coach of the Year for navigating the toughest league. Standouts like freshman Brayden Burries (16 PPG, All-Big 12 First Team), Motiejus Krivas, and Bradley provide scoring depth, while their low reliance on threes reduces variance in a single-elimination format.
Though they’ve shown vulnerability in narrow losses to Kansas and Texas Tech, their overall resume, which iuncludes beating top opponents like BYU and Baylor, makes them the safest bet ahead of Houston and Kansas. A title run would mark their first Big 12 tourney championship and solidify a No. 1 NCAA seed.
What about Houston and Kansas’ chances?
Houston Cougars, the No. 2 seed, have strong chances, thanks to their elite defense and physical style that excels in tournaments. With a 26-5 record (14-4 Big 12), they’ve rebounded from a mid-February slump (losses to Iowa State, Kansas, Arizona) by winning three straight, controlling pace and rebounding under Kelvin Sampson. Double-bye helps, and their path avoids Arizona until potentially the final; a title would mark a repeat as reigning champs.
Their key players drive their top-tier defense (No. 1 nationally) and rebounding edge, making them tournament threats. Guards Emanuel Sharp (16 PPG, versatile scoring) and Milos Uzan (12 PPG, 2+ APG) handle perimeter creation, with Sharp’s 3PT shooting (38%) stretching defenses while Uzan’s efficiency (50% FG) sustains drives. Centers Kalifa Sakho (8 PPG, 2.6 RPG, elite rim protection) and Joseph Tugler anchor the paint, grabbing 30+ rebounds per game as a unit; bench spark Mercy Miller adds timely buckets.
This group thrives in low-scoring affairs (team avg 71 PPG), where second-chance points (15+ per game) and turnovers forced (18/game) wear down foes like in their recent three-game win streak.
Kansas Jayhawks, No. 3 seed, are valued for Bill Self’s postseason pedigree and home-court edge in Kansas City. Despite 22-9 (12-6 Big 12), they boast solid defense and freshman Darryn Peterson’s clutch scoring. The key wins over Houston (69-65) and Arizona (84-61) help to highlight their upset potential. Double-bye eases their bracket, and avoiding Arizona early boosts title hopes, positioning them as a hedge play.
They lean on frontcourt dominance and guard versatility for upset potential, despite inconsistencies. Flory Bidunga leads with 14 PPG/9.0 RPG (team-high 280 REB, 83 BLK), controlling boards and finishing inside (65% FG); Tre White (12 PPG/6.9 RPG/3 APG) provides all-around impact with rebounding for a guard. Bryson Tiller (10 PPG/6.1 RPG, 43 BLK) bolsters the interior, while Melvin Council Jr. directs as point (high AST/TO ratio) and freshman Darryn Peterson delivers clutch scoring in big wins like vs. Arizona. Their 22-9 record hides a potent rebounding machine (38 RPG avg), fueling comebacks in Kansas City.
