Of all the major conference tournaments this week, this one feels the most wide open.
Here’s everything you need to know entering the Big 12 tournament this weekend in Kansas City.
Who can end Arizona’s run?
Look, there’s no denying that Arizona was great this season.
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The Wildcats won the Big 12’s regular season title and went 29-2 this year while dominating plenty of teams in their path. They picked up several blowout wins late, too, including a 23-point win over Kansas and a 26-point win over Iowa State. But the Wildcats had to survive a crowded Big 12 to pull that feat off, and there are plenty of teams who can end their tournament run early this week in Kansas City.
Houston might be the best bet. The Cougars went 26-5 and have repeatedly looked capable of making another Final Four run under Kelvin Sampson — though they did just lose three straight ranked games before ending the year on a three-game win streak.
There are several teams who could make noise if everything goes right. Kansas is one of them, and it’s likely dependent on Darryn Peterson. The potential NBA lottery pick has been absent frequently this season, something that’s been questionable at times, but the Jayhawks look like a top tier team when he’s at his best. Iowa State, despite losing three of its last five, has wins over both Kansas and Houston this season, too.
Oh, and don’t forget about AJ Dybantsa and BYU, too. Despite Richie Saudners’ ACL injury and their skid, the Cougars could easily pick up an upset win or two in Kansas City behind their possible No. 1 overall pick.
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Sure, Arizona looks like a true No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. But the Big 12 tournament is not theirs by any means.
Big 12 men’s basketball tournament basics
When: March 10-14
Where: T-Mobile Center | Kansas City, Missouri
TV: ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN+
The Big 12 men’s basketball tournament bracket is set. (Big 12)
Big 12 men’s basketball schedule, results
All times ET
Tuesday, March 10 — First Round
Game 1 | No. 12 Arizona State vs. No. 13 Baylor | 12:30 p.m. | 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 vs. No. 14 Oklahoma State | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN+
Wednesday, March 11 — Second Round
Game 5 | No. 5 Iowa State vs. Game 1 winner | 12:30 p.m. | 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 p.m. | ESPN2/U
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Thursday, March 12 — Quarterfinals
Game 9 | No. 4 Texas Tech vs. G5 winner | 12:30 p.m. | ESPN/2
Game 10 | No. 1 Arizona vs. G6 winner | 3 p.m. | ESPN/2
Game 11 | No. 2 Houston vs. G7 winner | 7 p.m. | ESPN/2
Game 12 | No. 3 Kansas vs. G8 winner | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN/2
Friday, March 13 — Semifinals
Game 13 | G9 winner vs. G10 winner | 7 p.m. | ESPN/2
Game 14 | G11 winner vs. G12 winner | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN/2
Saturday, March 14 — Championship
Game 15 | G13 winner vs. G14 winner | 6 p.m. | ESPN
