Busting Brackets
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Big 12 Basketball: Key storylines heading into 2019 NCAA Tournament

By Chris Kern

LAWRENCE, KANSAS - FEBRUARY 25: Kamau Stokes #3 of the Kansas State Wildcats drives toward the basket as Mitch Lightfoot #44 of the Kansas Jayhawks defends during the game at Allen Fieldhouse on February 25, 2019 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KANSAS - FEBRUARY 25: Kamau Stokes #3 of the Kansas State Wildcats drives toward the basket as Mitch Lightfoot #44 of the Kansas Jayhawks defends during the game at Allen Fieldhouse on February 25, 2019 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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AMES, IA – JANUARY 5: Tyrese Haliburton #22, Michael Jacobson #12, and Nick Weiler-Babb #1 of the Iowa State Cyclones, block as Dedric Lawson #1 of the Kansas Jayhawks attempts to pass the ball in the first half of play at Hilton Coliseum on January 5, 2019 in Ames, Iowa. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA – JANUARY 5: Tyrese Haliburton #22, Michael Jacobson #12, and Nick Weiler-Babb #1 of the Iowa State Cyclones, block as Dedric Lawson #1 of the Kansas Jayhawks attempts to pass the ball in the first half of play at Hilton Coliseum on January 5, 2019 in Ames, Iowa. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /

Iowa State and Kansas in the Midwest Region

The Iowa State Cyclones and Kansas Jayhawks being put into the midwest region is a huge mistake. In no circumstance should a four and a six seed be given a chance to have home-court advantage in a potential Sweet 16 and Elite Eight game. Sure it’s about money but this is a huge advantage for them over the top seeds in the region.

If North Carolina has to travel to Kansas City to play Kansas in the Sweet 16 that will be very tough for them to get a win in that. Sure the Jayhawks haven’t been as good as they normally are so the Tar Heels would be favored but that’s exactly why Kansas shouldn’t be in the Midwest region.

Non-Big 12 fans may question why this homecourt advantage means so much to Iowa State but if you have watched the Big 12 Tournament over the past few years then you’ll know. In the Big 12 Tournament Final, they had at least a 50-50 split with Kansas fans possibly even outnumbering them.

The Cyclone fans are intense and they travel very well. If Kentucky had to face them in the Sweet 16 it would be a huge disadvantage. Iowa State will need to get through Ohio State and Houston first if they want to head to Kansas City.

One positive for Kentucky and North Carolina is that they also have fantastic fanbases. They will need them to prove themselves and make the trip to Kansas City otherwise it is possible that they will be playing essential road games despite being the higher seed.

The NCAA Tournament is a great event but it is most importantly a huge money maker. We’ll all forget about this wants the games are underway but these matchups are set up for a reason. A regional featuring North Carolina-Kansas and Iowa State-Kentucky matchups would do extremely well ratings wise as those are four of the best fanbases in the country.

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