NCAAB: Big 12 Tournament preview
Kansas Jayhawks guard Devon Dotson yells in celebration after a score and a foul. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire)
March 10th, 2020
For quite some time, the Big 12 Tournament has been dominated by just two teams — perennial power Kansas and feisty Iowa State.
With Missouri in the SEC since 2012, Iowa State and Kansas are the only current Big 12 programs to win the tournament since 2005. Iowa State is the defending champion and has won four of the last six conference titles.
This year’s tournament appears to be a contest between Kansas and Baylor, but there are a few fringe contenders that could shake things up with a good run.
Odds to win the Big 12 Tournament
| Team | Big 12 Tournament Odds |
|---|
Kansas Jayhawks | +150 |
Baylor Bears | +200 |
Texas Tech Red Raiders | +500 |
West Virginia Mountaineers | +800 |
Texas Longhorns | +1400 |
Oklahoma Sooners | +1400 |
TCU Horned Frogs | +3000 |
Oklahoma State Cowboys | +6000 |
Iowa State Cyclones | +7000 |
Kansas State Wildcats | +800 |
The favorite: Kansas
Kansas is the favorite to win the tournament at +150. This is not unusual, and after another conference season where the cream rose to the top, Kansas is clearly the most talented team in the Big 12. Devon Dotson is a Wooden Award contender and arguably the best player in the conference.
Kansas center Udoka Azubuike is The Associated Press Big 12 player of the year. Baylor’s Scott Drew was picked as coach of the year.
— AP Top 25 (@AP_Top25) March 10, 2020
Read more: https://t.co/EKkPFi106e pic.twitter.com/ij5ww4cdZX
The biggest difference maker in the conference might be center Udoka Azubuike, though, who is averaging a double-double and has 75% field goal percentage. He also is an effective and intimidating rim-protector who gives Kansas the chance to play opportunistic and aggressive defense at the other four positions.
Kansas is the deserving favorite in this year’s tournament.
The live longshot: TCU
Seventh-seeded TCU is on on the opposite side of the bracket, away from Kansas. The Horned Frogs get the chance to face off against Baylor, which should be an easier game. TCU just defeated Baylor, 75-72, on Feb. 29, and that win demonstrates both to the players and to bettors that the Frogs are capable of winning a rematch.
Head coach Jamie Dixon is battle tested and senior guard Desmond Bane is averaging 43.4% from three-point range. TCU likely doesn’t have enough to overcome a loaded Kansas roster, but if it can get past Baylor in the second round, 30-1 is a tremendous value.
Player to watch: Jared Butler
If there’s one player to keep any eye on during this year’s tournament, it’s Baylor guard Jared Butler. Butler is the engine for the Bears and is third in the conference in points per game (15.8). He’s also ranks in the top 10 in assists and steals.
Butler is the cerebral leader of a team that has shown it can trade heavyweight punches with favored Kansas, and if Baylor makes a run, it will be driven by Butler’s excellent play.
Jared Butler's handles are a thing of beauty. pic.twitter.com/5tL3R47aaQ
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) January 11, 2020
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