The Kansas Jayhawks and Baylor Bears proved to be the cream of the Big 12 crop this season with each procuring 14-4 conference records. Even though they went on to win the NCAA tournament last season, the Bears failed to win this tournament after getting bounced in the semis by Cade Cunningham and the Oklahoma State Cowboys. As for Kansas, it never even got to participate in its semifinal matchup with the Texas Longhorns due to a positive COVID test and subsequent quarantining followed by contact tracing. As such, both teams will be eager to make their mark to set up a potential third showdown after the teams split their pair of regular season meetings with both home teams holding serve at online sportsbooks. As well respected the Big 12 is with eight of its members ranked amongst the top-50 per the Pomeroy Ratings, the bracket couldn’t be more top heavy evidenced by the betting odds for the teams seeded 1-4. I mean who doesn’t want to see KU, Baylor, Texas Tech and Texas duking it out in the semis?! The following are my favorite, underdog and longshot selections to bring home the back come Saturday night.
The Big 12 Tournament will be held at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, MO beginning Wednesday, March 9, 2022. BookMaker.eu will have NCAA basketball odds available for every game until the nets are cut down.
Big 12 Tournament Odds at BookMaker.eu
Kansas -200
Baylor +200
Texas Tech +340
Texas +550
TCU +2000
Oklahoma +4000
Iowa State +5000
K-State +8000
West Virginia +13000
Favorite to Bet: Baylor Bears +200
Scott Drew lost four starters from his national championship squad, yet still found a way to earn a share of the 2021-22 regular season title. On top of that, he was forced to do it without LJ Cryer and Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua for the better part of the last three weeks. I came away extremely impressed with the way the defending champs handled their business over the last month with it logging wins in seven of eight played games. One of those triumphs came against the Jayhawks whom they toppled 80-70 as 3-point home favorites in the rematch. KU simply didn’t have the defensive fortitude to sweep the season rivalry when it mattered most in the second half. James Akinjo looks to finally be recovered from an earlier season injury, while Flo Thamba has stepped his game up in Tchatchoua’s absence. And don’t forget about Adam Flagler who could go HAM at the drop of a hat! This team has the balance at both ends of the floor necessary to not only win the Big 12 tournament, but also the Big Dance!
Underdog to Bet: Texas Longhorns +550
If it was a given that Texas was going to march a consistent offense onto the court every passing game, the Longhorns would be my biggest futures odds position of the Big 12 tournament! While it’s been a roller coaster ride in Chris Beard’s first go-round in Austin, he still coached the team to 20-plus wins and turned the Horns defense into one of the most efficient in the country (No. 12). Playing to one of the tougher schedules in the country (No. 21) while slowing games to a crawl (No. 340) should have it primed and ready to make some noise over the course of the next week. The path to the finals sets up very nice as well. It tips things off in the quarters against TCU whom it swept in the regular season (1-1 ATS), and will then likely run into Kansas for a third time in the semis. While lucky to not get swept by the Jayhawks, both games were only decided by an average of 5.0 points with the defeat going to overtime in the Phog. Wouldn’t it be something if Beard gets a third crack at his former team in the finals?!
Longshot to Bet: Iowa State Cyclones +5000
If you’re a value seeker, you’re going to want to get down on the Clones at this number STAT! It’s not going to last. I personally couldn’t believe oddsmakers initially offered up T.J. Otzelberger’s kids at such a handsome return. If ever there was a team that could go on one of those patented March-esque runs to a tourney title, it’s the 2021-22 Iowa State Cyclones. This is a team that just battled back from a 25-point deficit at Baylor to make a game of it in the regular season finale. This team has moxie. This team has grit. Those are the types of characteristics you’re looking for when looking to cash in on a dart throw. Its inability to hold onto the basketball (No. 284) and inability to not send opponents to the free throw line (No. 312) are no doubt bothersome, but the team makes up for it by playing a stifling brand of defense (No. 10) while forcing a ton of turnovers (No. 6). The quarterfinal pairing with Texas Tech is bothersome, but the Clones did split the season rivalry with the Red Raiders. It also hammered OU recently and covered the CBB odds in both losses to Baylor. This is a lottery ticket were talking about here folks; I’m more than happy pinning my hopes and dreams on a couple studs like Izaiah Brockington and Tyrese Hunter - you should to if ya feel like gambling!
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