The Big 12 Conference had an action-packed Saturday with all 16 men's teams and six women's teams hitting the court. It was a pivotal day, not just for the games themselves, but also because the NCAA Tournament committee unveiled its Top 16 seeds. Let’s dive into the key takeaways from this eventful day.
Seeding Day Ramifications
The NCAA's release of its Top 16 seeds offers a glimpse into how the top teams might be seeded come March Madness. Iowa State and Arizona emerged as No. 1 seeds, alongside Michigan and Duke.
This recognition for Iowa State, especially after their big win over Houston, was well-deserved. Houston sits as a No. 2 seed, while Kansas and Texas Tech are No. 3 and No. 4, respectively.
The Red Raiders' seeding was impacted by JT Toppin’s injury.
Iowa State faced a setback with a 79-69 loss to BYU, led by AJ Dybansta’s stellar performance. Whether this affects their top seed status remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, Arizona solidified their position with a 73-66 victory over Houston. This win marks Arizona as only the second team this century to notch three regular-season wins against AP Top-3 opponents, a feat last achieved by Kansas in the 2011-12 season.
Houston and Kansas are both under pressure as they prepare to face off. Houston risks a three-game losing streak, while Kansas could face consecutive home losses under Bill Self-a rare occurrence.
Texas Tech’s dominant 100-72 win over Kansas State should help maintain their No. 4 seed status, with Donovan Atwell breaking the school’s single-season three-point record.
A Bubble Kind of Saturday
As we approach the NCAA Tournament, teams on the bubble are fighting for every win. UCF managed a crucial 73-71 victory over Utah, moving closer to securing their tournament berth. TCU edged out West Virginia 60-54, but both teams still have work to do to solidify their spots.
West Virginia’s loss to TCU and earlier to Utah puts them in a precarious position. They need to capitalize on remaining Quad 1 opportunities to stay in the hunt. Oklahoma State's loss to Colorado likely ends their tournament hopes due to their poor conference record.
Cincinnati, however, is making a strong case with a four-game winning streak, including an impressive 84-68 win over Kansas. This victory, their largest home loss to an unranked team in 53 years, demands the committee’s attention.
Colorado Women Keep Rolling
The Colorado Buffaloes women’s team is on fire, winning five straight, including a 75-68 victory over No. 20 Texas Tech.
This win boosts them to 20 victories for the season and strengthens their NCAA Tournament chances. Colorado is now tied for fourth in the Big 12 with Texas Tech and could secure a No. 4 seed in the Big 12 Tournament, earning a double bye.
While Texas Tech’s Krista Gerlich is a strong candidate for Big 12 Coach of the Year, Colorado’s JR Payne is exceeding expectations, having been picked ninth in the preseason coaches poll.
In summary, the Big 12 showcased some thrilling basketball with significant implications for the NCAA Tournament. Whether it's teams solidifying their seedings or fighting to stay on the bubble, every game is crucial as March approaches.