The NCAA Tournament is just over a month away, and the Big 12 is one of three conferences that have double-digit teams mentioned in the latest bracketology update from Joe Lunardi.

Several of those teams are on the bubble, though, and just eight of them are currently projected to make the field. But, there’s still a couple of weeks left in the regular season and the Big 12 Tournament standing between now and Selection Sunday.

There are a lot of opportunities for the league to secure more bids—or even lose some—between now and Sunday, March 16. So, how many Big 12 teams will make the cut? Let’s break it all down.

 

Houston has been to every Sweet Sixteen dating back to the 2018-19 season, and that’s not going to change in 2025. If the Coogs keep their stride in late February and make a run through the Big 12 Tournament, it’ll be hard to deny them a one-seed.

HCS Projection: No. 1 Seed (No. 4 Overall)

Iowa State suffered a midseason lull with Milan Momcilovic out, but now that he’s been added back to the starting lineup, the Cyclones are one of the best teams in the country. They’ll prove that down the stretch and jump to a two-seed.

HCS Projection: No. 2 Seed (No. 7 Overall)

JT Toppin is a one-man wrecking crew on his own, but he’s surrounded by a strong team and they’ve found their stride down the stretch. A loss to Arizona on the road shouldn’t scare anyone from backing this team for a deep run.

HCS Projection: No. 3 Seed (No. 12 Overall)

 

Arizona cooled off a bit with their 73-70 loss at Kansas State this week, but they’ve got games against Houston, Iowa State, and Kansas left on the schedule. I’m taking them to win two of those games and ride a wave of momentum into a great run in the Big 12 tournament.

HCS Projection: No. 4 Seed (No. 13 Overall)

KU’s inability to play consistent basketball isn’t going to bode well for them down the stretch, especially with how the regular season comes to a close. Their last three games are against Texas Tech, at Houston, and against Arizona. They currently sit as the five-seed in the Big 12 tournament, and anything more than two losses could be problematic.

HCS Projection: No. 5 Seed (No. 17 Overall)

Like Kansas, Baylor struggles to play consistent basketball from game-to-game, and it’s nearly impossible to know what you’re going to get from Scott Drew’s team. Granted, they’ve been bit big-time by the injury bug, but it makes this team hard to figure out. Baylor is capable of shooting the lights out of the gym, but they’re shaky at best on defense and that’s cost them several games. Still, they’re going to be in the tournament unless the wheels come off completely over the next couple weeks.

HCS Projection: No. 9 Seed (No. 35 Overall)

 

The Mountaineers just dropped a tough one against BYU, but should have enough opportunities down the stretch to hang on for a bid. However, it’s going to be close, as we have them secure one of the last bids in the tournament.

HCS Projection: No. 10 Seed (No. 39 Overall)

Anyone who counted Kansas State out of the race is eating their words now, as Jerome Tang’s group has found its groove. The schedule actually sets up very nicely for the Wildcats to finish out the season on a high note, sneak into the upper tier of the seeds for the Big 12 tournament, and then make a run. The Quad 2 (2-4) and Quad 3 (3-2) records might give pause for some, but I believe their late-season resurrection will end up winning the day.

HCS Projection: No. 11 Seed (No. 41 Overall)

BYU fans, it’s time to cinch down and hold on, because it’s about to get wild. BYU currently sits at 39 overall in the NET, but has a pretty brutal closing month to the regular season. Games against Kansas State and Kansas, plus road trips to Arizona and Iowa State give the Cougars plenty of chances for a pitfall. This team is going to ride the bubble all the way to Selection Sunday.

HCS Projection: No. 11 Seed (No. 44 Overall)

Cincinnati’s three-game winning streak has been impressive, especially considering that they’ve won all three games by double digits. Unfortunately, there are challenges ahead. Five of their final seven games come against tournament teams, and I don’t think the Bearcats will win enough of those to get over the hump.

HCS Projection: Next Four Out