Of all the major conference tournaments this week, this one feels the most open.
Here’s everything you need to know heading into this weekend’s Big 12 Championship Game in Kansas City.
Who can end Arizona’s run?
There’s no denying Arizona has been great this season.
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The Wildcats won the Big 12 regular-season title and went 29-2 on the year while dominating many teams. They also had some big wins late on, including a 23-point win over Kansas and a 26-point win over Iowa State. But the Wildcats will have to survive a crowded Big 12 field to achieve that feat, and there are plenty of teams that could end this week’s tournament in Kansas City early.
Houston might be the best choice. The Cougars posted a 26-5 record and looked capable of making another Final Four appearance multiple times under Kelvin Sampson — though they only lost three consecutive ranking games before ending the year with three straight wins.
If all goes well, there are a few teams that could shine. Kansas State is one of them, and it could be relying on Darin Peterson. The potential NBA lottery pick’s frequent absences this season have been questioned at times, but when he’s at his best, the Jayhawks look like a top team. Iowa State also has wins over Kansas and Houston this season despite losing three of its past five games.
Oh, and don’t forget AJ Dybantsa and BYU. Despite Richie Saudners’ ACL injury and poor performance, the Cougars could easily pull off a surprise win or two in Kansas City behind their likely No. 1 overall pick.
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Sure, Arizona looks like a true No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. But no matter what, the Big 12 Championship is not theirs.
Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament Basics
Time: March 10th to 14th
Location: T-Mobile Center | Kansas City, MO
TV: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN+
Brackets for the Big 12 men’s basketball tournament have been determined. (Big 12)
Big 12 Men’s Basketball Schedule, Results
All times ET
Tuesday, March 10 – Round 1
Game 1 | No. 12 Arizona State vs. No. 13 Baylor | 12:30 PM | ESPN+
Game 2 | No. 9 Cincinnati vs. No. 16 Utah | 3 p.m. | ESPN+
Game 3 | No. 10 BYU vs. No. 15 Kansas State | 7 p.m. | ESPN+
Game 4 | No. 11 Colorado State vs. No. 14 Oklahoma State | 9:30 PM | ESPN+
Wednesday 11 March – Round 2
Game 5 | No. 5 Iowa State vs. Game 1 Winner | 12:30 PM | ESPN/2
Game 6 | No. 8 UCF vs. Game 2 winner | 3 p.m. | ESPNU
Game 7 | No. 7 West Virginia vs. Game 3 winner | 7 p.m. | ESPNU
Game 8 | No. 6 TCU vs. Game 4 Winner | 9:30 PM | ESPN2/U
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Thursday, March 12 – Quarter-finals
Game 9 | No. 4 Texas Tech vs. G5 Champions | 12:30 PM | ESPN/2
Game 10 | No. 1 Arizona vs. G6 Champions | 3 p.m. | ESPN/2
Game 11 | No. 2 Houston vs. G7 Champions | 7 p.m. | ESPN/2
Game 12 | No. 3 Kansas vs. G8 Winner | 9:30 PM | ESPN/2
Friday 13 March – Semifinals
Game 13 | G9 Winner vs G10 Winner | 7 PM | ESPN/2
Game 14 | G11 Champions vs G12 Champions | 9:30 PM | ESPN/2
Saturday, March 14 – Championship
Game 15 | G13 Champions vs G14 Champions | 6 PM | ESPN
