As we head into the final two weeks of the Big 12 regular season, the race for the title is heating up, with four teams still in contention. Arizona and Houston are currently leading the pack, each boasting an 11-2 record.
Close on their heels are Iowa State and Kansas, both tied for third with 10-3 records. It's shaping up to be an exciting finish!
Texas Tech, sitting at 9-4, has an outside shot at the title but faces an uphill battle without their star player, JT Toppin, who is sidelined with an ACL injury. They face challenging road games against Iowa State and BYU, making their path to the top a difficult one.
Meanwhile, teams like BYU, UCF, and West Virginia, all with 7-6 records, would need nothing short of a miracle to climb into the title conversation. Their chances are slim, but in the Big 12, surprises are always possible.
The upcoming matchups among the top four teams are where the drama will unfold:
- Arizona at Houston on Saturday, February 21st
- Arizona vs Kansas on Saturday, February 28th
- Arizona vs Iowa State on Monday, March 2nd
- Houston vs Arizona on Saturday, February 21st
- Houston at Kansas on Monday, February 23rd
- Kansas vs Houston on Monday, February 23rd
- Kansas at Arizona on Saturday, February 28th
- Iowa State at Arizona on Monday, March 2nd
Arizona arguably faces the toughest stretch, with games against each of the top contenders, including a crucial matchup against Houston. This game will be pivotal, as the winner will gain a significant edge with a tiebreaker advantage.
Houston, if they manage to overcome Arizona, will quickly turn their focus to a challenging Big Monday showdown at Kansas. Bill Self’s perfect 40-0 record in Big Monday games at Allen Fieldhouse looms large. Even if Houston splits these games, they could still find themselves atop the standings, given their favorable closing schedule against Colorado, Baylor, and Oklahoma State.
Kansas, on the other hand, will look to capitalize on a victory over Houston, which would give them a critical tiebreaker. Their remaining schedule includes games against Cincinnati, Arizona State, and Kansas State, but the real test will be their clash with Arizona on February 28th, a game that could very well decide the conference leader.
Iowa State’s path is slightly less complicated, with only one more matchup against a top-four opponent. However, that game is a tough one on the road against Arizona.
A loss there could dash their hopes of finishing first. They also face a tricky road game at BYU.
As the regular season winds down, the Big 12 standings promise plenty of excitement. With so much at stake, every game feels like a playoff.
Who will emerge as the top seed heading into the Big 12 tournament? Only time will tell in this thrilling race to the finish line.