Big 12 Basketball: 2022 Conference Tournament preview and predictions
By Tuck Clarry
Who is the one seed?
If Baylor or Kansas is the team to cut down the nets in Kansas City, the Big 12 will earn another one seed and host either the Midwest or South regional. As of now, Baylor is widely considered to be the second overall seed in the tournament again, likely in the South region. However, Kansas is viewed to be the fifth strongest candidate for a one seed, which would swap them with the Bears should they win the conference championship.
If neither team makes the Big 12 finals, we may be looking at final hour call by the committee. Arizona and whomever between Auburn and Kentucky that goes the furthest in their conference tournament are the likely other one seeds after Gonzaga. Outside of early exits for the Bears and Jayhawks, it’s tough to imagine a team like Duke rise up and take the last 1 seed from the Big 12.
The teams are in, but where?
Unlike other conferences, a lot of the bubble theatrics for the Big 12 have subsided because of the complete resumés of the six teams that are going to make it. The fringiest pick, Iowa State, is safely slotted throughout every prognosticator’s speculative bracket as a middle 8 to 9 seed. But the Cyclones as well as TCU could be playing to raise their speed a spot or so if they’re able to catch fire and run through the tournament.
Texas Tech is an interesting team because of their inconsistent greatness. The Red Raiders have the ability to test anyone in the country, but they have not consistently shown up on offense away from Lubbock. They have an average seed line of 3 and that’s likely not to change because of the distance Kansas and Baylor have built-in securing their no-worse-than-2-seed standing. However, regional placement is important. Adams’ team would no doubt rather play in their natural time zone than play the second weekend in San Francisco or Philadelphia.