2024 Big 12 Tournament Preview & Conference Awards

CBB Review prepares you for every conference tournament leading up to Selection Sunday on Mar. 17. Up next: The Big 12 Tournament.

Yet again, the Big 12 was the best regular conference during the regular season. Nine probable tournament teams, and no shortage of exciting finishes. With the expansion from 10 to 14 teams, we get an extra day of the Big 12 Tournament.

Can Houston defend its regular season title? Will Kansas State play its way into the NCAA Tournament? What’s going on with Kansas? These are just a few of the many storylines we will see in Kansas City during the Big 12 Tournament.

2024 Big 12 Conference Awards

Player of the Year: Jamal Shead, Houston

Freshman of the Year: JaKobe Walter, Baylor

Transfer of the Year: Hunter Dickinson, Kansas

Coach of the Year: TJ Otzelberger, Iowa State

First Team:

• G: Jamal Shead, Houston (13.2 PPG, 6.2 APG, 3.9 RPG, 2.3 SPG)
• G: RayJ Dennis, Baylor (13.5 PPG, 6.7 APG, 3.8 RPG, 1.4 SPG, 49.4 FG%, 36.2 3P%)
• G: Kevin McCullar Jr., Kansas (18.3 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.5 SPG, 80.5 FT%)
• F: Dylan Disu, Texas (16.1 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.2 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 50.2 FG%, 51.3 3P%, 81.1 FT%)
• C: Hunter Dickinson, Kansas (18.0 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.4 BPG, 55.0 FG%, 35.0 3P%)

Second Team:

• G: Tamin Lipsey, Iowa State (12.5 PPG, 4.8 APG, 4.6 RPG, 2.8 SPG, 36.8 3P%)
• G: LJ Cryer, Houston (15.7 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.1 SPG, 38.9 3P%, 87.1 FT%)
• G: Max Abmas, Texas (16.8 PPG, 4.3 APG, 2.9 RPG, 1.0 SPG, 37.1 3P%, 91.1 FT%)
• G: Pop Isaacs, Texas Tech (16.0 PPG, 3.6 APG, 3.2 RPG, 1.0 SPG)
• F: Emanuel Miller, TCU (16.0 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.1 SPG, 49.0 FG%, 39.4 3P%, 82.1 FT%)

Big 12 Tournament Simulation

*All times EST

First Round – Tue., Mar. 12

12. UCF (16-14, 7-11) vs. 13. Oklahoma State (12-19, 4-14) – 12:30 p.m. on ESPN+

These two teams played just once this season, with the game coming in late February. It resulted in a 6-point road win for UCF. This season has been nothing short of a nightmare for Oklahoma State, and they are currently on a five-game losing streak. This game will be closer than most people think, but UCF should come out on top.

Ariel’s pick: 12. UCF

11. Cincinnati (18-13, 7-11), vs. 14. West Virginia (9-22, 4-14) – 3 p.m. on ESPN+

These two teams played in the final game of the regular season, and the final score was 92-56 Cincinnati. Yikes. Cincinnati really didn’t want to play in this game and know they have to make it deep into the tournament to steal a bid in the NCAA Tournament. So, playing this extra game isn’t ideal. I expect Cincy to start hot, and not look back.

Ariel’s pick: 11. Cincinnati

Second Round – Wed., Mar. 13

12. UCF vs. 5. BYU (22-9, 10-8) – 12:30 p.m. on ESPN

Imagine telling someone a few years ago that BYU and UCF would be playing each other in the Big 12 tournament. BYU can shoot the lights out of the ball, and UCF is elite defensively. BYU has the talent to get to the next round.

Ariel’s pick: 5. BYU

8. TCU (20-11, 9-9) vs. 9. Oklahoma (20-11, 9-9) – 3 p.m. on ESPN+

Oklahoma has quietly been terrible since beating Oklahoma State at home in mid-February. Since then, they are 2-5. The two wins were a buzzer-beater three against Oklahoma State and an overtime win against Cincinnati. TCU is the much better team, despite the even records. Emanuel Miller went for 27 points last time the two teams played, and expect him to do similar on Wednesday.

Ariel’s pick: 8. TCU

7. Texas (20-11, 9-9) vs. 10. Kansas State (8-10, 18-13) – 7 p.m. on ESPN+

After starting 4-1 in conference play, Kansas State went 1-7 in their next eight games. However, they finished the season strong, going 3-2 with wins over BYU and Iowa State. Texas has been widely inconsistent all season, and it will come down to the guard play in this game.

Tylor Perry has been cold as of late. Can he heat up when it matters? Will Max Abmas continue his status of being a legend in March and will his team to victory? The crowd will lean toward Kansas State, and that boost will be enough to push Kansas State past and add another huge win to its bubble resume.

Ariel’s pick: 10. Kansas State

6. Kansas (22-9, 10-8) vs. 11. Cincinnati – 9:30 p.m. on ESPN2

There are a lot of questions surrounding Kansas. Hunter Dickinson suffered a shoulder injury during the Houston game. Will he play in this game? Kevin McCullar has been dealing with a knee injury for the past two months and sat out for a chunk of the Houston game because of it. Will he play? If the answer to both is no, does Kansas have the depth to beat Cincy?

At the end of the day, you can’t bet against Bill Self this early in the tournament, but if Cincy goes up, Kansas might not have enough firepower to get past Cincy. It’s really hard to make a pick without knowing the availability of both of their first-team Big 12 players.

Ariel’s pick: 6. Kansas

Quarterfinals – Thu., Mar. 14

4. Texas Tech (22-9, 11-7) vs. 5. BYU – 12:30 p.m. on ESPN

First of all, a round of applause to both these coaches. Texas Tech was picked to finish 8th and BYU was projected to finish 13th. Obviously, both surpassed expectations and then some. I expect this game to be a shootout, with both teams scoring 80. Expect BYU’s three-point shooting to just be a little too much for Texas Tech to handle.

Ariel’s pick: 5. BYU

1. Houston (28-3, 15-3) vs. 8. TCU – 3 p.m. on ESPN

Remember, one of Houston’s three losses in Big 12 play was against Houston. However, that was in January, and since then Houston is 14-1. Expect Houston to win this one comfortably.

Ariel’s pick: 1. Houston

2. Iowa State (24-7, 13-5) vs. 10. Kansas State – 7 p.m. on ESPN

When these two teams played in the season finale, Kansas State came out on top surprisingly. However, on a neutral court, it is hard to believe Kansas State can replicate that, and Iowa State’s defense will really slow down Perry and lead Iowa State to the semifinals.

Ariel’s pick: 2. Iowa State

3: Baylor (22-9, 11-7) vs. 6. Kansas – 9:30 p.m. on ESPN

Any other year, this feels like the perfect spot to pick the upset. However, with Kansas’ injury concerns, it is hard to believe that the Jayhawks could beat this talented Baylor team. RayJ Dennis was outstanding in their last matchup, and expect him to be the best player on the floor once again.

Ariel’s pick: 3. Baylor

Semifinals – Fri., Mar. 15

1. Houston vs. 5. BYU – 7 p.m. on ESPN

Nothing like an offense vs defense matchup. Having the double bye will really come into play in this one. This will be BYU’s third game in three days, and I expect all three to be close. The Cougars just won’t have enough gas to get past this grueling Houston defense.

Ariel’s pick: 1. Houston

2. Iowa State vs. 3. Baylor – 9:30 p.m. on ESPN

Remember the last time these two teams played? Baylor jumped out to a double-digit halftime lead. Then, Scott Drew got ejected, Iowa State mounted a comeback, but Baylor won after Momcilovic’s three at the buzzer was milliseconds late. Hopefully, we see a repeat of arguably the best Big 12 game of the season (minus the Scott Drew ejection). While I do expect Iowa State to have a much better crowd (TMobile Center is called Hilton South for a reason), Baylor’s talent will overwhelm Iowa State and take them to the championship.

Ariel’s pick: 3. Baylor

Finals – Sat., Mar. 16

1. Houston vs. 3. Baylor – 6 p.m. on ESPN

After five days, we finally reach the final of the Big 12 Tournament. Two Texas teams will look to come out of Kansas City with a title and improved seed in the NCAA Tournament. LJ Cryer gets to face his former team for a chance at a conference tournament title.

Remember the last time these two teams played? It sounds like Deja Vu, but Houston jumped out to a huge halftime lead, Baylor came all the way back, and it appeared Jamal Shead hit a deep three at the buzzer to win, but it was called late. Eventually, Houston would win this game in overtime. This game will be close, and expect a balanced effort from both teams. This game could go either way, but Houston’s guards will be enough to hoist the trophy and claim Big 12 regular season and tournament titles in just their first season.

Ariel’s pick: 1. Houston