Texas Basketball: Big 12 Tournament Preview

[Chris Flanagan]

Being in Kansas City, I can tell you the Big 12 tournament is a big deal here. This year, it's a big deal for the Texas Longhorns. So can the Texas Longhorns turn around a disappointing finish in the final 6 games by winning the Big 12 tournament? Here is Horn Sports's preview of the Big 12 tournament.

Tournament Infomation:

 

Name: Big 12 Tournament

 

Dates: March 12th through March 15th

 

Location: Sprint Center, Kansas City, MO

Favorite

Kansas Jayhawks

I believe people are making too much of Joel Embiid's injury. Yes it will affect them but they are still a very good team. Andrew Wiggins will be Andrew Wiggins. Perry Ellis and Taric Black can be good players in the post. They will have to make an adjustment but if they want that 2 seed in St. Louis, they have to win the Big 12 tournament.

Sleeper

Baylor Bears

I know, Scott Drew is a jerk and a sleazeball. However, Baylor is 7-1 in the last 8 games. They are getting hot at the right time and with a league that in reality can have 8 teams win this 4 day tournament, they can do it. They have NBA caliber players and a 3 point sharpshooter in Brady Heslep. They can upset OU and Texas (or West Virginia) and if the Joel Embiid injury does affect the Jayhawks, they can win it all.

What should be the goal of the Big 12 tournament for Texas Basketball

Get to the Finals

They should expect to beat West Virginia. They just have the Mountaineers's number this season. I wouldn't be shocked if they were able to pull off the upset against OU (or Baylor who knows) and get to the Finals. Right now, they are projected as a 6 seed in San Antonio which I don't think will change much because the NCAA selection committees like to get local teams into their pods so that attendance will go up. Just look at Lunardi's Bracketology, Duke is in Raleigh where Durham, NC is a suburb. Syracuse is in Buffalo, Kansas is playing in St. Louis, and on and on. The 4 and 5 seed pods are in Orlando, Spokane and San Diego. If the Longhorns beat West Virginia and get to the Finals, I can guarantee you they will be in San Antonio either as a 3 or 6 seed.

Prediction for Texas Basketball

I believe they will fall short of their goals, I do believe they beat West Virginia and fall to OU in the semifinals. I believe OU will win the tournament because they are healthy and good. Kansas will have to likely play Oklahoma State and Iowa State/Kansas State in the semifinals to even get to the finals. That's a tough stretch for a battered team that has already won the Big 12 regular season title and wants to win the NCAA championship.

If you're in Kansas City, go to:

The Plaza and the National WW1 museum

The Plaza is a fun place to go have some dinner and do some shopping. The National World War I Museum is a fascinating exhibit about the events leading up to war and the war itself before the US's involvement in 1917. I really enjoy my time up there. Also, if you are looking for some good BBQ. Oklahoma Joe's and Jack Stack's on the Plaza are my two favorite places. Oklahoma Joe's isn't far from the plaza but it's on the Kansas side of the city but if your GPS takes you to a gas station, that's the right place. I made that mistake the first time I ever went.

 

[utisdabomb12]

I don't think OU will win the tournament. Matter of fact I think there's a good chance Baylor beats them in the first game. OU style of play is not conducive at all to tournament play. Come tournament time you need two things 1) Easy baskets at the rim and 2) good defense. OU shoots entirely too many jumpshots and is inconsistent on the defensive end. Put them on a neutral court OU is not built for tournament time.