Big 12 Basketball: 2024 conference tournament preview and predictions

Predictions

Game 1: #13 Oklahoma State vs. #12 UCF

UCF came into Stillwater and beat the Cowboys in their only contest during the regular season. The Knights should squeak by again because of their stifling defense. Give me UCF in the kickoff of the tournament.

UCF 70, Oklahoma State 58

Game 2: #14 WVU vs. #11 Cincinnati

A similar tale in the first game as the Bearcats just simply have too good of a defense for West Virginia to handle. The Mountaineers have been tumbling throughout the last two months, going 1-9 since the beginning of February. Bearcats are going to win this one.

Cincinnati 74, WVU 62

Game 3: #5 BYU vs. #12 UCF

The Cougars’ offense is built to handle the Knights, beating UCF both times in close contests in the regular season. Barring rust being a difference-maker, you think the fresh legs for BYU will be the key to a physical contest.

BYU 82, UCF 76

Game 4: #8 TCU vs. #9 Oklahoma

It will be interesting to see if the rumors to start this week of Porter Moser considering the DePaul job have any impact on the Sooners’ preparation. Both teams are tournament-quality teams. Give me the senior leadership of Jameer Nelson, Emanuel Miller and TCU in this one.

TCU 74, Oklahoma 70

Game 5: #7 Texas vs. #10 Kansas State

I really see whichever team wins this one going on a run in Kansas City. Texas has been the better team of late and I’ll take the offensive firepower of Abmas, Tyrese Hunter and Dylan Disu in this one. A loss here likely ends the tumultuous season for Tang’s team.

Texas 76, Kansas State 68

Game 6: #6 Kansas vs. #11 Cincinnati

No McCullar and Dickinson make this a tough one for the Jayhawks. The conference is too good to expect Kansas to weather those losses in a single elimination run and the Bearcats have too good of a defense to not move on.

Cincinnati 72, Kansas 64

Game 7: #4 Texas Tech vs. #5 BYU

This should be a great battle between two teams that should battle for Sweet 16 appearances next weekend. BYU’s proven that they are up for the conference’s physicality and brought great performances into hostile environments, holding up against Iowa State up to the buzzer. I like the Cougars to build further on their resumé.

BYU 74, Texas Tech 69

Game 8: #1 Houston vs. #8 TCU

It’s hard to see the Horned Frogs outdueling the Cougars twice this season, especially with preferential seeding on the line for Sampson’s squad. As great as Nelson has been for Jamie Dixon’s squad, the Cougars are playing their best basketball right now and looking to maintain that output headed into the dance.

Houston 68, TCU 56

Game 9: #2 ISU vs. #7 Texas

I don’t mean to make this sound like I’m discounting the season the Cyclones have had, but this game is very intriguing if Abmas is able to harness a little bit of Kemba magic. The Cyclones took care of the Longhorns in Austin earlier in the season. I think this is a single-possession game late into the second half. 7-out-of-10 times I think Oltzenberger’s squad handles business, but I can’t help but think we get some chaos in a very competitive conference tournament.

Texas 72, Iowa State 70

Game 10: #3 Baylor vs. #11 Cincinnati

A surprising run for Cincinnati likely comes to an end when the Bearcats run into the high octane offense from Waco. You beat the Bearcats’ defense by making perimeter shots, something that the Beas are more than capable of.

Baylor 78, Cincinnati 66

Game 11: #1 Houston vs. #5 BYU

BYU’s statement run comes to an end when they face the cream of the college basketball crop. As great as Mark Pope’s team has been on offense, Houston’s top flight defense is just something few teams are equipped to circumnavigate. Difficult seeing the difference in backcourts not playing a massive factor in this one.

Houston 74, BYU 66

Game 12: #3 Baylor vs. #7 Texas

This should be a fun one with two shotmaking teams trying to outmatch each other. The two schools split the series, but it appeared that Baylor turned a corner in the last matchup. This should be a special game that comes down to the wire, but I’ll give the edge to Texas’ defense.

Texas 86, Baylor 83

Game 13: #1 Houston vs. #7 Texas

It was a good run for the Longhorns but the Cougars are looking to plant a flag with this matchup. No better claim to the overall seed and a statement that you belong in the power conference landscape than winning both the regular season and conference tournament. The Kemba candidate Abmas can’t wriggle past Shead and company here.

Houston 66, Texas 58