Big 12 Basketball: 2024 conference tournament preview and predictions
By Tuck Clarry
Key Teams
The favorite: Houston
Hard to not go with the #1 seed and the team that has controlled the conference from start to finish. Two early conference blemishes on the road made this league look closer than it was, but Houston has clearly been the most complete team all season. In a neutral court environment, you take the team that’s able to replicate their defense and scoring on the road and that’s the Houston Cougars’ calling card.
Biggest threat: Baylor
The only way to beat a great defense is a great offense and the Baylor Bears have the firepower to give any team in the conference fits. The team shoots 40% from deep on nearly 22 attempts per contest. They hold ther 13th best effective field goal percentage in the country at 56.3%. The tandem of Dennis and Walter is relentless when they’re right and having stretch scoring from the forward position and Jalen Bridges gives them a wrinkle of additional scoring options in the frontcourt that Scott Drew’s most recent teams didn’t necessarily have.
Keep an eye on: Kansas State
The Wildcats are the lone bubble team in the conference that has their tournament livelihood in question. If Tang’s team doesn’t pick up at least two wins before getting bounced, they don’t even need to turn on CBS on Sunday. That win-or-go-home scenario, as well as channeling whatever the hell that Kansas drama was all about might be enough that Kansas State overstay their invitation to the conference tournament. But the offense is going to need to be awake to ensure that they’re not bounced before Friday.