Rush The Court

The seven Big 12 teams that heard their names called tonight were never really a mystery. Not because of the leaked bracket, but because of the quality and depth of the conference compared to its peers. While power conference bubble teams like Syracuse, Michigan and Oregon State had to sweat it out before ultimately getting a nod, the Big 12’s bubble has long been settled. Instead, the burning questions around this league are more about the results to come, as the conference hopes to exorcise its March demons over the next few weeks after three years of disappointment.

Kansas (30-4; #1 South)

• Outlook: It’s not a given that the Jayhawks will make it to Houston, as they’ll face several strong teams and coaches who are no strangers to NCAA Tournament success, but there’s no clearly under-seeded team lurking in the South region. Colorado has a good big man in Josh Scott who could make life miserable for Kansas’ interior in a potential second-round meeting, but the Buffaloes don’t have any other players the Jayhawks should fear. If anyone upsets Kansas prior to the Elite Eight, the opponent most capable of doing it is California in the Sweet Sixteen. The Bears have two lottery picks and several three-point shooters who can keep up with the Jayhawks’ potent arsenal, but Kansas would still be favored. Anything can happen with this team, but if you thought they were a good bet to make the Final Four going into Selection Sunday, there’s no reason to waver now.

Oklahoma (25-7; #2 West)

• Outlook: Ryan Spangler, Buddy Hield, Jordan Woodard and Isaiah Cousins have been playing together forever and would like to have more than last season’s Sweet Sixteen appearance to show for their illustrious careers. Hield’s supporting cast has struggled lately and there are some strong defenses in the West region, but Oklahoma will be in excellent shape if its offense can rediscover the consistency it showed in the first half of the season.

West Virginia (26-8; #3 East)

• Outlook: The Mountaineers went 13-6 away from Morgantown, so the press can travel, but West Virginia drew perhaps the toughest 14-seed in Stephen F. Austin. The Lumberjacks are an experienced NCAA Tournament club that can generate turnovers nearly as frequently as West Virginia. This similarity could induce an upset of the Mountaineers, a team that struggles to hold onto the ball when their press doesn’t create easy baskets. Still, West Virginia’s depth and coaching should aid them in avoiding a First Round stunner. Notre Dame and Michigan (potential Second Round opponents) aren’t as scary as they have been in recent years, but better defensive teams (Wisconsin or Xavier) could be waiting for the Mountaineers if they make a run to the second weekend. The ‘Eers have a good shot to get Philadelphia and let the chips fall from there as long as they can get past Brad Underwood’s team.

Iowa State (21-11; #4 Midwest)

• Outlook: After the Cyclones missed on the opportunity to challenge Kansas for the Big 12 regular season title followed by an oh-fer in the Big 12 Tournament, this year’s Big Dance is Iowa State’s last shot. The Cyclones may not have much fuel left in the tank but they will use what they have in a first round game against another fast-paced squad in Iona. Compounding the challenge of keeping pace in a likely track meet is that the Cyclones have to play the first weekend at altitude in Denver. Steve Prohm’s bunch is talented, experienced and wants to leave a lasting legacy, but their style, thin rotation and opening weekend location aren’t an ideal combination.

Baylor (22-11; #5 West)

• Outlook: There was some outcry on social media after it was revealed that the Bears would play Yale in Providence — just a short drive away from the Elis’ New Haven campus — but Scott Drew’s team won seven games away from Waco and is significantly more athletic than its first round opponent. Baylor’s ceiling is significantly higher than its 2-4 stretch entering the dance would suggest, but with Duke, Oregon and Oklahoma looming, the Bears’ defense, which finished eighth in Big 12 play, will have to improve in a hurry.

Texas (20-12; #6 West)

• Outlook: In making the NCAA Tournament in Shaka Smart‘s first year, the Longhorns are already ahead of schedule. If they can get past Northern Iowa in the first round, they’ll likely have one of the country’s best defenses in Texas A&M waiting for them. The Aggies would pose quite a challenge, but it could also be a good matchup for Texas since they do such a good job of holding onto the ball. There’s also the intriguing (though improbable) chance of a VCU/Shaka revenge match in the Sweet Sixteen. The Longhorns aren’t the Big 12’s best hope of a sustained NCAA Tournament run, but relative to their strength, they have it pretty good.

Texas Tech (19-12; #8 Midwest)

• Outlook: Texas Tech struggled heavily away from Lubbock, while first-round opponent Butler has wins over four NCAA Tournament teams in neutral or road environments (Temple, Cincinnati, Purdue and Seton Hall). Texas Tech will certainly have a shot, but given their preseason selection as the last-place team in the Big 12, the Red Raiders will continue to play with nothing but house money.