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Houston Among Top Big 12 Contenders in March Madness Odds
Less than one month to go before March Madness betting begins, and the Big 12 has several championship contenders. Let’s take a look at the Big 12 NCAA tournament picture. All bracket projections are courtesy of ESPN’s Joe Lunardi and the latest odds are per BetUS Sportsbook.
𝟰 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝟭𝟭.
The March to March Madness continues. ⏳#Big12MBB 🤝 @MarchMadnessMBB https://t.co/QHr5lSJTP8
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) February 17, 2024
Big Dance-Bound
There’s no shortage of contenders in the Big 12 with several of the top teams already locking in their spot in the NCAA tournament. This is of course unofficial, but a quick glance at your favorite bracktologist’s projections.
Looking for the top Big 12 contender? Head over to Texas where Houston is a favorite to land one the four No. 1 seeds. Houston is third in the odds to win March Madness at +850, behind UConn and Purdue. The Cougars’ odds are better to make the Final Four at +200.
Depending on how the Big 12 tournament shakes out, Kansas has a chance at a No. 1 seed as well. This would take a bit of work from the Jayhawks whose stumbles have happened away from Allen Fieldhouse.
Kansas is projected to be a No. 2 seed heading into their final five games of the regular season. Vegas still views the Jayhawks as a longshot contender at +2200 to win the title. Kansas has +450 college basketball odds to make the Final Four.
We just couldn’t wait any longer…
Check out the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Championship bracket preview 🏀 pic.twitter.com/a2JrR5CpeF
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) February 18, 2024
Iowa State is another contender with its current No. 3 seed status. The Cyclones may be slightly behind Kansas in the bracket seeding, but have the same odds to cut down the nets at +2200. Iowa State has +500 odds to make a Final Four trip.
Baylor is also predicted to be a No. 3 seed. The college basketball odds view the Bears as a significant step back from the other top Big 12 teams. Baylor has +4000 championship odds and +900 just to make the Final Four.
Here are where the remaining Big 12 teams are projected to be in the March Madness bracket: No. 6 BYU, No. 6 Texas Tech, No. 8 Oklahoma, and No. 8 Texas.
On the Bubble
An argument can be made that Oklahoma and Texas still have work to do in order to firm up their NCAA tournament spots. TCU is projected to be a No. 9 seed showing its resume is viewed as incomplete.
Cincinnati is another team that has a chance to make the NCAA tournament. Heading into this final stretch, Lunardi has the Bearcats in his first four teams outside the bracket.
Wait ‘Til Next Year
Big 12 basketball is not for the faint of heart with several teams needing to win the Big 12 tourney to make the March Madness bracket. UCF started off strong with upsets over Kansas and Texas.
Johnny Dawkins’ crew has fallen as the Knights have hit the meat of the Big 12 schedule. UCF could get a major boost next season if former five-star transfer Mikey Williams is eligible to play.
Mikey Williams has committed to UCF 🚨 @619PRESIDENTIAL pic.twitter.com/5ACLG0u6vK
— Overtime (@overtime) January 12, 2024
Oklahoma State has back-to-back wins over BYU and Cincinnati. The Cowboys will still need to make a deep Big 12 tournament run to have an NCAA tournament spot.
Kansas State is 5-8 in the Big 12 after making a remarkable run to the Elite Eight last season. Finally, West Virginia is already looking ahead to next season with a 9-17 record, the worst of any Big 12 team.
Questions Of The Day
How many Big 12 teams will make the NCAA tournament?
Right now, projections have nine Big 12 teams making the NCAA tournament. The potential remains for as many as 10 Big 12 teams to make March Madness.
Which Big 12 team has the best odds to win the national championship?
Houston is the Big 12 favorite and a national title contender with +850 odds to win the championship.
