Big XII

The Big XII begins their conference tournament from Kansas City on Wednesday. To say this thing is wide open is an understatement. I think you’d comfortably pick Kansas most years but this years team should give you zero confidence.

On top of that, the league has 9 legitimate tournament teams. I doubt they get 9 and settle for 7 or 8 but it’s that wide open. Like the Big East, they have 9 teams inside the KenPom top 100 with Iowa State outside at 104. 

Oklahoma and Oklahoma State play in the 8/9 game Wednesday. A loss eliminates the Cowboys and a loss makes the Sooners sweat hard. At the least, a loss probably sends them to Dayton. Texas can’t afford a loss to Iowa State in the 7-10 game. 

Kansas State plays TCU in the 4-5 game. The Wildcats should feel safe while TCU looks safe. This is about seeding. TCU is 20th in KenPom still. If they were deeper and healthier, they’d be the kind of sleeper Sweet 16 team to look at. Baylor draws West Virginia in the quarters. They have to win that game. A loss pushes them to the NIT.

Kansas probably needs 1-win to lock up a 1-seed. If they lose here and get that 1-seed. They’d be the first 1-seed ever with 7 losses. Yeah, it’s that kind of year.

The Pick: Texas Tech