Houston is the undisputed favourite of the Large 12, which gives one final probability of redemption for the preseason darlings.
When match time rolled round in Kansas Metropolis, the Large 12 males’s basketball hierarchy was all the time destined to look completely different.
Convention realignment was notably robust on the Large 12, which bid farewell to prior champions akin to Oklahoma, Missouri, and Texas. That trio’s transfer to the SEC gave a number of the newcomers, akin to Houston, Arizona, Cincinnati, and BYU, a direct alternative to succeed. After all, they needed to cope with a number of the holdovers, not least of which was preseason No. 1 Kansas.
However some (BYU, Texas Tech) rose and others (Kansas, Cincinnati) drastically fell, creating a comparatively open bracket as issues get a bit of crowded in Kansas Metropolis. People who made the ascent now have an opportunity to indicate why they belong on the high. March, after all, is about redemption and miracles—and there are many such intriguing such narratives buried within the early parts.
What: 2025 Large 12 Males’s Basketball TournamentWhen: March 11-15Where: T-Cellular Heart, Kansas Metropolis, MO
Meet The Groups
(1) Houston Cougars (27-4, 19-1)
Head Coach: Kelvin Sampson (eleventh season, 291-83)Gamers to Watch: LJ Cryer (15.3 factors, 43.1 three-point subject objective share), Emanuel Sharp (11.8 factors, 41.3 three-point subject objective share), J’Wan Roberts (11.1 factors, 6.4 rebounds)Final Large 12 Title: None (Final NCAA Event Look: 2024)
The Cougars will search their first via the three: they enter this yr’s match ranked fourth within the nation with a 3-point success fee slightly below 40 %. They’ve confirmed equally dominant on the opposite aspect of the ball, posting the nation’s greatest defensive effectivity ranking and permitting the fewest factors per recreation at 58.1. Doubtless fuming over final season’s no-show within the Large 12 title recreation in opposition to Iowa State, UH has been one of the dominant groups within the nation following a disappointing displaying in Las Vegas’ Gamers Period Traditional: it enters the convention tourney on a 10-game successful streak and its lone loss in regulation got here in opposition to Auburn (the group at the moment under them in lively Related Press rankings).
(2) Texas Tech Pink Raiders (24-7, 15-5)
Head Coach: Grant McCasland (2nd season, 47-18)Gamers to Watch: JT Toppin (18.1 factors, 9.3 rebounds), Likelihood McMillian (14.7 factors, 44.2 three-point subject objective share), Darrion Williams (14.3 factors, 5.1 rebounds)Final Large 12 Title: None (Final NCAA Event Look: 2024)
The Pink Raiders are the one group to tag the Cougars since November, taking an 82-81 additional time determination on the highway again on Feb. 1. Adjusting nicely to the high-level recreation after a Mountain West breakout at New Mexico, Toppin is producing late first-round draft decide buzz whereas McMillian has dealt with work from deep since arriving as a graduate switch from Grand Canyon. This would be the final stand for assistant coach Matt Braeuer, who has been nominated to function the subsequent head coach at Stephen F. Austin.
(3) Arizona Wildcats (20-11, 14-6)
Head Coach: Tommy Lloyd (4th season, 108-31)Gamers to Watch: Caleb Love (16.4 factors, 4.2 rebounds), Jaden Bradley (11.9 factors, 1.9 steals), Toba Awaka (8.6 factors, 8.0 rebounds)Final Large 12 Title: None (Final NCAA Event Look: 2024)
The change from the Pac-12 to the Large 12 has been a rollercoaster for the Wildcats: they had been 4-5 amidst the vacation season earlier than successful their first 5 new convention excursions (and 11 of their first dozen) however went 3-5 the remainder of the way in which. One factor that has stay powerfully constant has been the Wildcats’ inside recreation: Tuscon misplaced Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award watchlist candidate Motiejus Krivas early on however has pulled in a Large 12-best 39.9 rebounds per recreation, besting their opponents by over seven, additionally topping their new brethren.
(4) BYU Cougars (23-8, 14-6)
Head Coach: Kevin Younger (1st season)Gamers to Watch: Richie Saunders (16.0 factors, 43.7 three-point subject objective share), Egor Demin (10.8 factors, 5.6 assists), Fousseyni Traore (8.5 factors, 5.5 rebounds)Final Large 12 Title: None (Final NCAA Event Look: 2024)
Mark Pope’s departure and the leap into the Large 12 can’t tame the Cougars, whose eight-game successful streak (together with a double-overtime overcome Iowa State) allowed them to sneak again into the nationwide rankings. BYU is equally able to firing up threes, because it leads all energy convention applications with 10.6 profitable triples a recreation this season. The Cougars have additionally dealt with themselves within the inside, as their rebounding margin of plus-6.0 per recreation is second within the convention.
(5) Iowa State Cyclones (23-8, 13-7)
Head Coach: T.J. Otzelberger (4th season, 93-43)Gamers to Watch: Curtis Jones (17.0 factors, 4.5 rebounds), Keshon Gilbert (13.8 factors, 48.4 subject objective share), Joshua Jefferson (12.7 factors, 7.5 rebounds, 50.9 subject objective share)Final Large 12 Title: 2024
The trail to a repeat hit a number of roadblocks, because the Cyclones had been besieged by a number of transient, if not expensive, medical absences that noticed them plummet from second within the nation to twelfth. ISU went 6-6 in its final dozen and 3-5 in its final eight, together with a stunning loss to sputtering Oklahoma State again on Feb. 25. The Cyclones have continued to hold a formidable defensive presence, forcing probably the most turnovers within the convention at over 15 a recreation.
(6) Kansas Jayhawks (20-11, 11-9)
Head Coach: Invoice Self (twenty second season, 608-146)Gamers to Watch: Hunter Dickinson (17.4 factors, 9.9 rebounds, 53.8 subject objective share), Zeke Mayo (14.0 factors, 4.7 rebounds), Dajuan Harris Jr. (9.1 factors, 5.7 assists, 1.4 steals)Final Large 12 Title: 2022 (Final NCAA Event Look: 2024)
America’s preseason No. 1 fell all the way in which to No. 6 in its personal convention and a number of the losses (i.e. a 34-point shellacking by the hands of BYU) had been notably perplexing. The Jayhawks’ facilitation has been positive, as they lead the convention in assists per recreation at 17.6. They’ve, nevertheless, misplaced a way of defensive depth of gritty intangibles after dropping each Johnny Furphy and Kevin McCullar Jr. to the NBA Draft, as KU was second to final in turnovers compelled.
(7) Baylor Bears (18-13, 10-10)
Head Coach: Scott Drew (twenty second season, 464-257)Gamers to Watch: Norchad Omier (15.6 factors, 10.7 rebounds, 56.8 subject objective share), VJ Edgecomb (15.0 factors, 5.4 rebounds), Robert Wright III (11.7 factors, 4.5 assists)Final Large 12 Title: None (Final NCAA Event Look: 2024)
After changing two 2024 NBA draft picks (Ja’Kobe Walter and Yves Missi) with a touted Miami switch (Omier) and a five-star recruit (Edgecomb), the Bears sit firmly on the bubble getting into championship week. Many are assured sufficient to incorporate them within the remaining 4 … groups getting in, that’s, however they could be among the many first to go if a bid stealer or two comes into play. Beating a spherical one winner could be good however solely a quarterfinal upset of Texas Tech would completely wash away the stench of latest losses to Cincinnati and Colorado.
(8) West Virginia Mountaineers (19-12, 10-10)
Head Coach: Darian DeVries (1st Season)Gamers to Watch: Javon Small (18.5 factors, 5.6 assists, 1.6 steals), Amani Hansberry (10.1 factors, 6.5 rebounds), Toby Okani (8.1 factors, 4.1 assists)Final Large 12 Title: None (Final NCAA Event Look: 2023)
The Mountaineers have fallen again all the way down to Earth after a scorching begin underneath DeVries, which was sadly marred by the season-ending shoulder damage for his son and fellow Drake switch Tucker. Burdened by a conference-worst rebounding margin (minus-3.4) something in need of a semifinal look probably is not going impress the committee and that can require getting via the mighty Cougars, who received the 2 matchups by a mixed 30 factors this season.
(9) TCU Horned Frogs (16-15, 11th of September)
Head Coach: Jamie Dixon (ninth season, 176-125)Gamers to Watch: Noah Reynolds (12.3 factors, 3.0 assists), Vasean Allette (11.5 factors, 4.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists)Final Large 12 Title: None (Final NCAA Event Look: 2024)
On the high of the early individuals, the Frogs have their work reduce out for them with regards to a return journey to the match, as they have been meandering throughout Fort Value after dropping then-leading scorer Frankie Collins resulting from a foot damage in December. It hardly takes a deep dive to search for proof of his impression, as TCU was the lowest-scoring group within the Large 12 this season at simply over 66 tallies a recreation.
(10) Kansas State Wildcats (15-16, 11th of September)
Head Coach: Jerome Tang (third season, 60-51)Gamers to Watch: David N’Guessan (13.3 factors, 7.2 rebounds, 63.8 subject objective share), Dug McDaniel (11.3 factors, 4.9 assists)Final Large 12 Title: None (Final NCAA Event Look: 2023)
The honeymoon is maybe formally over for Tang, who’s at risk of lacking out on the postseason completely after following up his Elite Eight displaying in yr one with a first-round exit in final yr’s NIT. If they’ll stage a miracle run, the Wildcats may get a pleasant enhance from the return of Coleman Hawkins, an Illinois switch who overcame a fracture in his tibia to make late seasons contributions. Kansas State introduced again flashes of cohesion via a six-game successful streak in February, one which featured wins over West Virginia, Iowa State, Kansas, and Arizona.
(11) Utah Utes (16-15, 8-12)
Head Coach: Josh Eilert (interim) Gamers to Watch: Gabe Madsen (15.3 factors, 2.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists), Ezra Ausar (12.4 factors, 5.0 rebounds)Final Large 12 Title: None (Final NCAA Event Look: 2016)
The Utes are merely enjoying out the ultimate levels of a misplaced season, one which value fourth-year boss Craig Smith his job. The countdown is formally underway for Alex Jensen to be faraway from his Maverick distress in Dallas, as one of many Utes’ latest losses got here in opposition to Tuesday opponent UCF on the highway.
(12) Oklahoma State Cowboys (15-16, 7-13)
Head Coach: Steve Lutz (1st season)Gamers to Watch: Abou Ousmane (12.5 factors, 5.4 rebounds, 1.1 steals), Bryce Thompson (12.4 factors, 2.7 rebounds)Final Large 12 Title: 2005 (Final NCAA Event Look: 2021)
After a close to full-on roster makeover following final season’s end within the cellar, the Pokes did not see an excessive amount of of an increase up the leaderboard, although they did up the defensive depth (second in Large 12 in steals) and likewise picked up a stunning upset win over Iowa State nearly two weeks in the past. Getting out of the opening is a completely affordable objective for Lutz’s makeshift group looking forward to any signal of progress.
(13) Cincinnati Bearcats (17-14, 7-13)
Head Coach: Wes Miller (4th season, 80-57)Gamers to Watch: Jizzle James (12.9 factors, 3.7 assists), Dillon Mitchell (9.5 factors, 6.5 rebounds)Final Large 12 Title: None (Final NCAA Event Look: 2019)
There was a substantial quantity of hype round yr two of the Bearcats’ Large 12 endeavors, particularly after successful 22 video games final yr. As a substitute, UC misplaced every of its first 4 convention video games and by no means recovered, with the underside falling out with three consecutive losses and the infamy of enjoying on the convention’s match’s opening day, roughly popping the bubble of a preseason rankings rep.
(14) UCF Knights (16-15, 7-13)
Head Coach: Johnny Dawkins (ninth season, 167-118)Gamers to Watch: Keyshawn Corridor (18.5 factors, 7.1 rebounds), Darius Johnson (16.5 factors, 40.9 three-point share)Final Large 12 Title: None (Final NCAA Event Look: 2019)
One may not less than have enjoyable betting the over on the Knights, who come into the match ranked fifth in Large 12 scoring (78.6 factors a recreation). That, nevertheless, is offset by some distressing defensive outings, ones that letting up over 80 on a nightly foundation and permitting opponents to shoot over 45 % from the sector, second worst within the Large 12 getting into championship week.
(15) Arizona State Solar Devils (13-18, 4-16)
Head Coach: Bobby Hurley (tenth season, 168-148)Gamers to Watch: BJ Freeman (13.7 factors, 3.9 rebounds), Jayden Quaintance (9.4 factors, 7.9 rebounds, 2.6 blocks)Final Large 12 Title: None (Final NCAA Event Look: 2023)
Regardless of touchdown five-star recruit Quaintance, it proved to be a making an attempt first yr of Large 12 play for Hurley’s Solar Devils, who capped off their season with 4 consecutive double-figure losses. Quaintance, regardless of his freshman prowess, could not do all of it, because the Solar Devils’ rebounding margins ranked towards the underside of the convention they usually had been dead-last in second probabilities off the glass.
(16) Colorado Buffaloes (12-19, 3-17)
Head Coach: Tad Boyle (fifteenth season, 310-202)Gamers to Watch: Julian Hammond III (12.6 factors, 3.1 assists, 1.1 steals), Andrej Jakimovski (9.7 factors, 4.8 rebounds)Final Large 12 Title: None (Final NCAA Event Look: 2024)
The Buffaloes’ first Large 12 tour was a problem after dropping Cody Williams and Tristan da Silva to the opening spherical of the 2024 NBA Draft. Although an early win over defending champion Connecticut misplaced worth because the yr went on, the younger Buffs do have a pair of late wins to construct upon, having bookended their remaining 5 video games with triumphs over Baylor and TCU.
Schedule
(All Instances ET)
Tuesday, March 11
(12) Oklahoma State vs. (13) Cincinnati, 12:30 p.m., ESPN+(9) TCU vs. (16) Colorado, 3 p.m., ESPN+(10) Kansas State vs. (15) Arizona State, 7 p.m., ESPN+(11) Utah vs. (14) UCF, 9:30 p.m., ESPN+
Wednesday, March 12
(5) Iowa State vs. OSU/UC, 12:30 p.m., ESPN or ESPN2(8) West Virginia vs. TCU/CU, 3 p.m., ESPN+(7) Baylor vs. KSU/ASU, 7 p.m., ESPN+(6) Kansas vs. UU/UCF, 9:30 p.m., ESPN or ESPNU
Thursday, March 13
(4) BYU vs. ISU/OSU/UC, 12:30 p.m., ESPN or ESPN2(1) Houston vs. WVU/TCU/CU, 3 p.m., ESPN or ESPN2(2) Texas Tech vs. BU/KSU/ASU, 7 p.m., ESPN or ESPN2(3) Arizona vs. KU/UU/UCF, 9:30 p.m., ESPN or ESPN2
Friday, March 14
Semifinal 1: 7 p.m., ESPN or ESPN2Semifinal 2: 9:30 p.m., ESPN or ESPN2
Saturday, March 15
Championship: 6 p.m., ESPN
Geoff Magliocchetti is on X @GeoffJMags
