Big 12 Basketball Tournament: What every team needs in Kansas City this week

10. Kansas State needs to go on a run

The good news: On the final Saturday of the regular season, the Wildcats picked up their 3rd Top 10 victory of the season with a win over Iowa State.

The bad news: At the moment, the Wildcats likely find themselves on the outside looking at the NCAA Tournament. Neither Joe Lunardi nor Jerry Palm has the Wildcats in the projected tournament field. Jerry Palm does have the Wildcats on the bubble as they gear up for the conference tournament.

The question is, how many games does Kansas State need to win in order to go dancing? Their first matchup in Kansas City is with the Texas Longhorns. This is a must-win game. Should they win that, they will face Iowa State. Will another win over the Cyclones be enough? Should they win that, they will likely play Kansas or Baylor in the semifinal game. While a semifinal win should certainly get them in, 2 wins (Texas and Iowa State) would put them squarely on the bubble. 

9. Oklahoma needs a win/8. TCU needs a win

The 8/9 matchup between Oklahoma and TCU is a big one. While both schools appear to be in the NCAA Tournament field according to both Joe Lunardi and Jerry Palm, whoever wins this game is a lock for the field and will only improve their selection Sunday seeding. A loss may put either TCU or Oklahoma on the bubble, potentially a first-four matchup in Dayton next week. TCU won the only previous matchup between the two on their home court. The matchup is set for approximately 2PM CT on Wednesday.