https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/insider/story/_/id/39104820/biggest-questions-every-major-conference-point-2023-24-men-college-basketball-season


"Life is good in the Big 12. It's the best league in the country yet again, with national championship contenders and plenty of depth to produce a slew of NCAA tournament bids. But if there is one potential concern for three months from now, it's the top teams beating up on each other and hindering their opportunities for a 1-seed. Three teams are among the top six of the AP poll (Kansas, Houston, Baylor). Houston is ranked No. 1 in the NET, BPI and KenPom; Houston, Baylor and Oklahoma are still undefeated; and 11 teams have legitimate NCAA tournament hopes.

Then again, Kansas entered Selection Sunday last year with seven losses and the conference championship, despite losing five Big 12 games -- and still received a 1-seed. The Jayhawks had 17 Quad 1 wins, more than anyone else in the country. Second to them was Texas, with 16. Of the eight teams with double-digit Quad 1 wins last season, five came from the Big 12. We might be headed toward a similar situation this season. Like I said, life is good in the Big 12."

I would think the "they'll just beat each other up" argument would've died after Tech, Baylor and Kansas made runs to the final in consecutive years, two of which won it all. And there were, what, 3 Big 12 teams in the Elite 8 last year? If anything I think the league's strength proves it's way more preparation than it is a hindrance.

The Big 12 tourney, however...

Where are you getting 3 B12 teams in the E8 last year? I may be wrong but I'm thinking it was just KSU
Oops Tx as well

I think "beating up on each other" is a seasonal thing. I it's just another way of saying that in conference play everybody plays each other and even the better teams can lose.

parch said:

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I would think the "they'll just beat each other up" argument would've died after Tech, Baylor and Kansas made runs to the final in consecutive years, two of which won it all. And there were, what, 3 Big 12 teams in the Elite 8 last year? If anything I think the league's strength proves it's way more preparation than it is a hindrance.

The Big 12 tourney, however...

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The beat each other up thing may hold true for Houston because they've never had to do it before.

I think it is very likely that the championship game will be between two of: Arizona, Purdue and Baylor. It will probably be Arizona versus Purdue but we certainly could be there.

historian said:

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I think it is very likely that the championship game will be between two of: Arizona, Purdue and Baylor. It will probably be Arizona versus Purdue but we certainly could be there.

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I will buy this (Baylor) once I see them win a game against a tough opponent where they aren't shooting lights out but are still able to win with defense and controlling the glass on both ends - until then I'm not buying Final 4.

That's reasonable. This week they will have that chance.

historian said:

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That's reasonable. This week they will have that chance.

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Or maybe we shoot lights out in all games this week