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2017 Big 12 Tournament: Five bold predictions

By Drew Dinnhaupt

Feb 27, 2017; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Frank Mason III (0) shoots as Oklahoma Sooners forward Khadeem Lattin (12) defends during the second half at Allen Fieldhouse. Kansas won 73-63. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2017; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Frank Mason III (0) shoots as Oklahoma Sooners forward Khadeem Lattin (12) defends during the second half at Allen Fieldhouse. Kansas won 73-63. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 25, 2017; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Monte Morris (11) is defended by Baylor Bears guard Manu Lecomte (20) at James H. Hilton Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2017; Ames, IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Monte Morris (11) is defended by Baylor Bears guard Manu Lecomte (20) at James H. Hilton Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports /

The top 4 seeds advance to the semifinal round

March is all about upsets and cinderella stories, right?

The Big 12 Tournament will feature the exact opposite. The top four seeds in the tournament, Kansas, West Virginia, Baylor and Iowa State, will all advance to the semifinal round, escaping potential upsets in the quarterfinal round.

Regardless of the opponent, Kansas should handle either No. 8 TCU or No. 9 Oklahoma in the quarterfinal. Not only are the Jayhawks extremely more talented, but Kansas will have an additional day of rest having earned a first-round bye.

No. 4 Iowa State faces No. 5 Oklahoma State in the quarterfinal. The Cyclones completed a season sweep against the Cowboys, and this contest won’t be any different from the regular season.

No. 6 Kansas State did manage to upset No. 3 Baylor in Waco during the season by two points. However, the Bears knocked off KSU at Bramlage Coliseum by nine. Baylor falling to Kansas State was simply a fluke, and the Bears’ defense will carry them over the Wildcats.

I believe West Virginia’s defense and intensity can beat anyone in the country, including No. 7 Texas or No. 10 Texas Tech in the quarterfinal. The Red Raiders pulled off an upset over WVU earlier this season, but this should not be a trap game the Mountaineers cannot handle.

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