For yet another year, the Big 12 proved that it is the strongest basketball conference in the nation, especially at the top. Kansas came away with their 11th straight conference championship, but there is no doubting that several teams were deserving of that honor this year. Iowa State, Oklahoma, West Virginia and Baylor all had chances to earn a share of the regular season title headed into the last week of regular season play, and each will be gunning for a tournament win at the Sprint Center in Kansas City. If the last two weeks are any sort of indication, this is going to be a tournament to remember.
The Favorites
Kansas Jayhawks: It's hard to not call Kansas the favorites headed into this tournament, since they are every season. But that status certainly isn’t unfounded, considering their incredible stretch of dominance in conference play. With arguably the best coach in the nation currently in Bill Self, KU can never be counted out of any game (as they recently showed in their incredible victory against West Virginia). The team has played well lately and they are deserving of being one of the favorites.
Make no mistake about it, however, the Jayhawks have anything but an easy road ahead of them. In terms of matchup in their first game of the tournament, they will face either Kansas State or TCU. As we all know, everything can be thrown out the window in rivalry games in college athletics, and on a neutral court it will be a tough game for the Jayhawks if they must face their in-state rivals from Manhattan. Not to mention, K-State defeated KU in their most recent meeting this season.
On the other hand, while the Horned Frogs were one of the worst teams in the Big 12 this season, starter Kelly Oubre, Jr. said on Monday that TCU is one of the toughest teams on defense that they had to play all season. Couple these intriguing matchups with the slew of players who may or may not play (Perry Ellis and Brannen Greene will both likely suit up, but nothing is official, while Cliff Alexander remains out indefinitely) and there are no sure things in this tournament for Kansas.
Iowa State Cyclones: Iowa State put together a very impressive regular season this year, and they will look to win a second straight Big 12 Tournament. They have the talent, they have the coaching, but can they put it all together? It’s been the question for most of Fred Hoiberg’s squads, even with their tournament victory last year. That being said, there are very few reasons to believe that the Cyclones cannot win it again.
Iowa State has proven that they can beat good teams (such as a victory at home over Kansas this year). They have proven that they can overcome adversity, such as when they were down 19 to Oklahoma in their second to last game of the season and they came back to win. They have also shown that they are much better at home, but then again that can be said of most teams. The Big 12 is a daunting conference and ISU has proven that they can hang with the best of them. With Georges Niang leading the team on the floor, and a higher NCAA Tournament seed likely in the balance, Iowa State can certainly run the table in the Big 12 Tournament again this year.
Baylor Bears: Don’t look now, but the Bears are getting hot just at the right time. While they did have a very good regular season throughout, Baylor capped off the campaign by winning five of their final six games, the only loss coming in overtime on the road against Texas. Don’t let their fifth place finish in the conference fool you, this is a team that can make some noise in the Big 12 Tournament, as well as the NCAA Tournament.
The biggest question with Baylor is their coaching. A large number of Big 12 followers and fans will happily jump on coach Scott Drew for a number of reasons. Sometimes these fans are just piling on, but the accusations and criticisms didn’t just spring up out of thin air, there are legitimate concerns. If Drew can call good games and not lose the games for Baylor, the team will take care of the rest. Baylor is a very dangerous team in this tournament.
The Sleepers
Kansas State Wildcats: Calling the Wildcats and enigma is probably the best way to describe Bruce Weber’s team this season. K-State finished with a losing record, defeated Oklahoma, Kansas and Iowa State in the last month of the season, while they also lost to Long Beach State and Texas Southern. KSU is a bizarre team this year, but they’re the kind of program that can be dangerous in March, when anything is possible.
They can be giant killers, they can be a team that just rolls over and dies. But this is a team that will confuse you and give you fits, which is exactly why they have a legitimate chance to win this conference tournament. Weber isn’t the best coach in the conference, they certainly don’t have one of the most talented rosters from top to bottom, but the Wildcats have proven that they can defeat anyone this season. Don’t be surprised to Kansas State win at least a couple games in Kansas City.
Texas Longhorns: UT is arguably the most disappointing team in the Big 12 this season. With a strong crop of freshmen, including Big 12 Newcomer of the Year Myles Turner, the Longhorns were the strongest team in the entire country in the front court. Yet, as the has drifted away, they have found themselves lingering out the outside of the tournament, needing wins desperately to make it to the Big Dance.
Texas is a team with a lot of question marks entering this tournament. Will their guard play be consistent enough to win games? Will Rick Barnes be able to out-coach his counterparts on the opposite bench? One thing is for certain though, this team has a ton of talent. While more is required to win in the Big 12, there is no mistaking that the Longhorns have the ability to make a run at the Sprint Center. They will need to prove, however, that they have the wherewithal to do it.
Players To Watch
Juwan Staten, West Virginia Mountaineers: One of the best players not only in the conference, but in the country, Staten is going to be the most vital part of a potential Big 12 Tournament run for the Mountaineers. Coach Bob Huggins has done a fantastic job with WVU this season, but Staten is the go-to guy. He scores, he facilitates, he just makes things work. His injury hampered the team late in the season, and it is pivotal for West Virginia that he is healthy now. West Virginia will make it to the NCAA Tournament regardless of the Big 12 Tournament, but a higher seed and the health of their best player will certainly determine how far they can advance. If Juwan Staten can’t go, neither will the Mountaineers in this year’s Big 12 Tournament.
Perry Ellis, Kansas Jayhawks: Ellis was the best player on the best team in the Big 12 this season, especially down the stretch. Before getting injured against West Virginia, Ellis has put up at least 20 points in 3 straight games, a huge factor in Kansas’ late success this season. That injury could be costly for Kansas, however. While Jamari Traylor and Landen Lucas have been serviceable for Kansas in the paint recently, there’s no telling how long that pairing can last successfully if Ellis doesn’t return (and of course, due to an eligibility issue, Cliff Alexander is likely done for the season). Ellis brings scoring, rebounding and experience to Bill Self’s team, and that will be vital in this tournament. If KU wants to win and have momentum headed into the Big Dance, they will need to have Perry Ellis healthy and on the floor.