Tonight the Big 12 will kick off its 28th conference tournament semifinals with the 4 seed BYU Cougars facing off against the 1 seed Houston Cougars at 5:00 PM MST. Then the 2 seed Texas Tech Red Raiders will battle the 3 seed Arizona Wildcats in the night-cap.
These matchups provide a unique opportunity for the Big 12 to crown a brand new champion. Whichever team wins will be the first first-time winner since Texas in 2021. Previously the conference tournament has been dominated by defending champs Iowa State, five-time winners, and perennial powerhouse Kansas, 12-time winners. Both of those teams were eliminated in the quarterfinals.
This year, all four teams that remain in the tourney would be first-time winners. Let’s take a quick look at each one.
Regular Starters: Milos Uzan, L.J. Cryer, Emanuel Sharp, Joseph Tugler, and J'Wan Roberts
The Houston Cougars were one of the title favorites coming into this season and continue to prove time and time again that they are a dominant force in college basketball. Head coach Kelvin Sampson is known for being tough on his players, but that has proven successful as they crush nearly every team they play, including a near undefeated conquest of the second best conference in basketball.
Regular Starters: Elijah Hawkins, Chance McMillian, Kerwin Walton, Darrion Williams, JT Toppin
Texas Tech is led by JT Toppin, one of the best players in the country, and have a very strong supporting cast. There is a reason it was the only Big 12 team to defeat Houston in conference play, and second place in this conference is no joke. The Red Raiders made a run to the national championship in 2019, and don't be shocked if they do it again.
Regular Starters: Jaden Bradley, Caleb Love, Anthony Dell'Orso, Trey Townsend, and Tobe Awaka
Can the Arizona Wildcats ever have a down year in basketball? I don't think it is possible. They continue to retool and reload each season to continue as a threat in the postseason. Arizona started slow, losing four of its first seven games, but picked up quickly behind the play of Caleb Love. They are a danger to make some noise in March.
Regular Starters: Egor Demin, Trevin Knell, Richie Saunders, Mawot Mag, and Keba Keita
The team we all know and love. Our boys. This truly might be the greatest BYU team in quite a few years, although I think 2020 would give them a run. One of the hottest teams in basketball, BYU, riding a nine-game win streak, looks poised to make some noise in the NCAA tournament. It faces a tough test against projected #1 seed Houston tonight, but regardless the Cougars are on their way to something special.
No matter how tonight and tomorrow go, we are guaranteed to see a brand new team hoist that coveted Big 12 championship trophy. For any of these teams, that would be a major accomplishment, but no doubt a stepping stone to a much larger goal of holding a different trophy on April 7th.
All starting lineups were acquired from RotoWire.