Big 12 basketball predictions: List of probable teams that could make March Madness 2024 ft. Kansas
Big 12 basketball is poised for a big March Madness. Expectations are sky-high for perhaps the nation's deepest basketball league.
NCAA frontrunners like Kansas and Houston make the Big 12 a particularly meaningful group. But which Big 12 teams will be in the NCAA Tournament, and which ones will be on the sidelines?
Big 12 basketball predictions 2024: Top contenders
Kansas
The Jayhawks (21-7, 9-6) haven't left the top-10 all season. That's unsurprising with inside/outside duo Hunter Dickinson (18.3 ppg, 10.9 rpg) and Kevin McCullar (19.0 ppg, 4.4. apg) running the show.
Kansas leads the nation in assists per game (19.5) and is fifth nationally in shooting (49.8%). They're definitely in the Tournament.
Houston
The No. 1 Cougars (25-3, 12-3) are all about defense. They hold opponents to just 56.2 points per game on 37.7% shooting-- both being leading marks in the nation.
Houston averages 10.4 steals per game but commits just 8.7 turnovers per game. LJ Cryer (15.3 ppg, 2.4 rpg) and Co. are likely the No. 1 seeds in the Tournament.
Iowa State
Iowa State moves into March ranked eighth overall, and looking for a jump.
The Cyclones (22-6, 11-4) are nearly as stingy defensively as Houston, giving up 62.3 ppg (seventh nationally) and forcing 17.8 turnovers per game.
A balanced team with four double-digit scorers, Iowa State is quietly making waves and may continue doing so in the NCAA Tournament.
Baylor
While not quite on the level of the aforementioned three teams, Baylor (20-8, 9-6) is still a significant team to follow.
The No. 15 Bears are 24th nationally in scoring (81.6 ppg) and fifth in 3-point shooting (39.7%). Guard Ja'kobe Walter (14.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg) is worth keeping an eye on, as is his team.
Dark horse teams to watch in Big 12 basketball
BYU
Beating Kansas hurt BYU's cover as a dark horse team-- they may just be a great team.
Coach Mark Pope's Cougars (20-8, 8-7) score the ball well (82.6 ppg) and shoot the second-most 3-point shots in college basketball (32.5 attempts per game).
BYU also has seven players scoring 9.2 points per game or better. They could surprise in March.
Texas
It's been an up-and-down season for the Longhorns (18-10, 7-8), but one reason they could surprise is guard Max Abmas.
The Oral Roberts transfer with over 3,000 college points could come up big. March is about big-time guards and Texas certainly has one.
Big 12 Basketball standings
Big 12 basketball bracket predictions
Teams In: Houston (No. 1 seed), Kansas, Iowa State, Baylor, BYU, Texas Tech, Texas
Teams on the Bubble: Oklahoma, Kansas State
Not getting in: TCU, Cincinnati, UCF, Oklahoma State, West Virginia
Which Big 12 basketball team do you like? Who will win the NCAA Tournament? Sound out in the comments section below.