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Big 12 Basketball Takeaways: Kansas State, Texas Tech share regular season title

By Chris Kern

LUBBOCK, TX - MARCH 04: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders reacts after making a basket during the second half of the game against the Texas Longhorns on March 4, 2019 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Texas 70-51. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX - MARCH 04: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders reacts after making a basket during the second half of the game against the Texas Longhorns on March 4, 2019 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Texas 70-51. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 24: Barry Brown #5 of the Kansas State Wildcats controls ball against the Loyola Ramblers in the first half during the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament South Regional at Philips Arena on March 24, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 24: Barry Brown #5 of the Kansas State Wildcats controls ball against the Loyola Ramblers in the first half during the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament South Regional at Philips Arena on March 24, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Kansas State, Texas Tech Are Final Four Contenders

Kansas State and Texas Tech both took care of business this week to earn a share of the Big 12 regular season title. They’re both defensive minded teams who have improved greatly on the offensive end of the floor. Each team has gone through struggles this season but they are playing their best basketball at the best possible time.

The Wildcats picked up two double-digit wins this week against TCU and Oklahoma. They started Big 12 play 0-2 before finishing 14-2 which makes them one of the hottest teams in the country. They made the Elite Eight a year ago and they certainly are capable of getting back there again this season.

They’re led by their seniors in Barry Brown and Dean Wade who are two of the best players in the whole country. These two guys don’t get the respect they deserve but they certainly make an impact that very few players in this country do.

Texas Tech also had a slump in conference play and their chances of winning a Big 12 title was very slim. Their record fell to 5-4 in conference after getting blown out in Allen Fieldhouse but since then they’ve been a completely different team.

Their defense is one of the best in the country but it has been their improved offense that makes them a final four contender. A large part of that is their star guard, Jarrett Culver. Culver looks like he will win the Big 12 Player of the Year award for the job he has done this season. It’s been a full team effort for them but Culver is the guy who makes them go.

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Both of these teams made the Elite Eight a year ago and they look ready to make a run back there this season. The way these teams defend at a high level makes them very tough to beat in a tournament format. If these two teams offenses continue to play like they have been then expect both of these teams to at least make the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament.

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