2023 Big 12 Tournament Championship Preview and Prediction
The 2023 Big 12 Tournament Championship takes place on Sunday, March 16. The Big 12 is probably the top conference in all of college basketball. There are an expected nine bids from the Big 12 which would lead all conferences. The championship will consist of one-seed Houston and seventh-seed Iowa State. This is a huge matchup between two heavyweights this year as Houston will be a one-seed in the tournament and Iowa State is expected to be a two-seed in March Madness. Here, is a short preview and prediction for the Big 12 Conference Championship.
Houston Cougars
Houston has been one of the best teams all season and there is a good chance they cut down the nets at the end of March Madness. Head Coach Kelvin Sampson leads a fantastic Houston program that has had multiple one-seeds in the past few years. However, they have not been able to get over the hump and become champions. They have a great shot this year because of their top-tier defense. Houston is the number one scoring defense in college basketball as they only give up 56.6 points per game. Also, they are number one in turnover ratio at 7.4. It is hard to beat a team that forces a lot of turnovers and protects the ball well at the other end of the floor.
Finally, they are led by their elite guard duo of Jamal Shead and L.J. Cryer. Shead is a phenomenal two-way threat as he averages 13.2 points, 6.3 assists, and 2.3 steals. Cryer, who is a transfer from Baylor, is the offensive juggernaut that averages 15.6 points per game on 40.7 percent shooting from the field and 39.2 percent shooting from three. These two will need to have a strong game if Houston wants to be Big 12 Champions.
Iowa State Cyclones
Iowa State has performed extremely well this season as they surpassed expectations. Head Coach T.J. Otzelberger has had solid teams in the past but this team might be his best chance to win March Madness since he has been with the Cyclones. He has turned Iowa State into an elite defensive team this year as they are fifth in scoring defense only conceding 61.9 points per game this year. They force a lot of turnovers and are second in all of college basketball in steals per game with 10.5. Their great defense has helped them achieve their 26-7 record.
However, Iowa State also has a well-balanced offensive attack as they have four double-digit scorers. The Cyclones are led by junior guard Keshon Gilbert who averages 13.7 points per game, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists. Guard Tamin Lipsey averages 12.4 points, 4.8 assists, and a whopping 2.7 steals per game. They have a high-ceiling scorer in forward Milan Momcilovic who averages 10.8 points per game and can get hot and help take over a game. Iowa State has had a fantastic season and there is a good chance they can cap it off with a Big 12 title.
Big 12 Championship Prediction
This has all the ingredients to be a solid tough-nosed championship game. These teams split the season series with each team taking the win at home in tight contests. I think Houston will take home the championship on the neutral site. Houston simply is the better team and does everything Iowa State does but better. Anything can happen in a win or go home but the Houston defense will be too much for the Cyclones.
I expect a lower-scoring game with each team forcing turnovers and tough shots from their opponents. Shead will be the best player on the court and he will continue his amazing season. Finally, Cryer has been kept in check by the Cyclones in two meetings this season but I think he will have a good conference championship. Houston will play their great brand of defense and I expect them to have enough offense to knock off Iowa State. I think Houston will defeat Iowa State in the Big 12 Tournament Championship in a slugfest with a score of 64-59.
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