March Madness is officially upon us with Selection Sunday just two days away.
With the Big 12 Tournament semifinals set to tip off Friday night in Kansas City, let’s take a quick look at where all the Big 12 teams stand, and how many will likely make the Big Dance.
Last year, the Big 12 set a conference record and nation-high eight teams to the NCAA Tournament. With the addition of four more schools this year (Utah, Arizona, Arizona State and Colorado), including powerhouse Arizona, the Big 12 looked primed to get 9 or even 10 teams in the tournament this year before the season started.
However, with a relatively poor showing in non-conference play, the Big 12 went from being the top conference, to now being rated by many prognosticators as the third best conference this year. But that will all play out during the tournament as teams and conferences separate themselves.
While it’s solid that the Big 12 will get 8 teams in, there’s disappointment knowing the league was hoping to set another record with more teams in this year.
Without further ado, here’s a look at where all the teams currently stand.
Important: Data has been taken from Bracket Matrix which takes into account all 107 brackets from prognosticators around the country.
Houston
Next game: vs. BYU (Big 12 semifinals)
Projected Seed: 1
Bracket Matrix Seed: 1.00
Whether Houston loses or wins Friday night, the Cougars are a lock for a No. 1 seed. This would give Houston the No. 1 seed for the third year in a row. For the Big 12, this would give the conference at least one No. 1 seed for the fifth consecutive year.
Houston looks to make amends after going out early and losing in the Sweet 16 last year.
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Texas Tech
Next game: vs. Arizona (Big 12 semifinals)
Projected Seed: 3
Bracket Matrix Seed: 2.74
According to Bracket Matrix, the Red Raiders and St. John’s are in a fight for the last No. 2 seed. St. John’s is barely ahead, however, if the Red Storm lose today, combined with a Texas Tech win, that should be enough for the Red Raiders to move ahead.
Texas Tech looks to make amends after losing in the first round to North Carolina State. However, to the Red Raiders credit, NC State did make it to the Final Four last year, something that many people believe Texas Tech can do this year.
Iowa State
Next game: NCAA Tournament (Lost to BYU in Big 12 quarterfinals)
Projected Seed: 3
Bracket Matrix Seed: 3.11
According to Bracket Matrix, Iowa State is right behind Texas Tech, however, with the Cyclones loss to BYU yesterday, Iowa State won’t have a chance to move up with more wins. With the Cyclones having lost 4 of their last 7 games, they aren’t peaking either so it’s safe to assume that Iowa State will stay at a No. 3 seed.
The Cyclones were a No. 2 seed last year and got knocked out in the Sweet 16. Like Houston and Texas Tech, they’ll look to make amends as well with a better showing this year.
Arizona
Next game: vs. Texas Tech in Big 12 semifinals
Projected Seed: 5
Bracket Matrix Seed: 4.62
Arizona continues to gain ground as the Wildcats look to get a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats are right behind Clemson and with a win tonight against Texas Tech, combined with a Clemson loss, would make all the difference. If Arizona ends up winning the Big 12 altogether, I see them getting a No. 4 seed, no matter what.
BYU
Next game: vs. Houston in Big 12 semifinals
Projected Seed: 6
Bracket Matrix Seed: 6.13
BYU took another giant step forward to improve its seeding with a win over Iowa State in the Big 12 quarterfinals. The Cougars are one of the hottest teams in the country and have won nine straight, including four games against ranked opponents — with two of those games on the road and one at a “neutral” site.
According to Bracket Matrix, BYU is a 6 seed — they were a 7 seed yesterday — based on 100+ brackets from prognosticators across the country. If the Cougars can knock off Houston today, I think the Cougars will be knocking on the door as a 5 seed. The committee has rewarded hot teams in the past and not only is BYU on a hot streak, but they are deserving too as that would make 10 wins in a row and 5 ranked wins during that time too. If they don’t beat Houston, I still think the Cougars comfortably get a No. 6 seed.
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Kansas
Next game: NCAA Tournament (Lost to Arizona in Big 12 quarterfinals)
Projected Seed: 7
Bracket Matrix Seed: 6.98
Kansas has lost five of their last nine games and seven of their last 13 games. However, brand names make a difference which is why many prognosticators have Kansas as a No. 7 seed. A non-blue blood would likely be a 8-10 seed with the same resume.
After falling to Arizona in the Big 12 quarterfinals, all the Jayhawks can do is watch as other teams around them are still playing. Kansas could drop to an 8th seed depending on how things shake out over the next two days. With how the No. 1 seeds are playing right now, there is quite a difference playing against a No. 2 seed in the second round vs. a No. 1 seed in the second round. Because of this, let’s hope the Jayhawks don’t fall further than a No. 7 seed.
Baylor
Next game: NCAA Tournament (Lost to Texas Tech in Big 12 quarterfinals)
Projected Seed: 10
Bracket Matrix Seed: 9.78
Baylor came up just short in a 76-74 loss to Texas Tech in the Big 12 quarterfinals, but at least they showed they can got toe-to-toe with one of the best teams in the country. Most prognosticators have Baylor making the tournament as a No. 10 seed, but you never know how a committee will react to a team that is 19-14 on the year, which many prognosticators saying the Big 12 is the third best conference so far this year.
For the Big 12’s sake, let’s hope the Bears get in and make some noise after losing in the second round as a No. 3 seed last year.
West Virginia
Next game: NCAA Tournament (Lost to Colorado in second round of Big 12 tournament)
Projected Seed: 10
Bracket Matrix Seed: 10.41
Get ready for some fireworks. West Virginia is squarely on the bubble right now after losing to Colorado — the Big 12’s worst team — in the second round of the Big 12 tournament. A win over the Buffaloes would have likely guaranteed the Mountaineers a spot in the tournament but now it’s closer to a 50/50 shot as most prognosticators have them as one of the last four teams in. When it’s that close, you don’t want to leave it up to a committee.
For the Big 12’s sake, let’s hope the Mountaineers make it in, and even better if they can sneak in as one of the teams with the last four byes.
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Big 12 Tournament: BYU Sets Records in Win Over Iowa State — Here’s All The Reactions
