Four Big 12 Basketball Teams Hover on NCAA Tournament Bubble in Latest Bracketology
As March Madness draws near, the NCAA Tournament bubble picture is becoming clearer—and messier. According to ESPN’s Joe Lunardi, the Big 12 Conference is caught in the middle of that chaos, with four teams straddling the tournament cut line in his latest bracketology update.
Despite what some are calling a “down year” for Big 12 basketball, the conference is still projected to send multiple title contenders to the NCAA Tournament. But the real story lies just outside the safe zone, where West Virginia, BYU, Kansas State, and Cincinnati are all hovering near the bubble.
Currently, both West Virginia and BYU are projected to be in the field if the tournament started today. The Mountaineers are among the last four byes, while BYU is listed within the last four in. Meanwhile, Kansas State finds itself in the next four out, and Cincinnati is slotted even further down in the next-next four out group. This means that while two Big 12 teams are hanging on, two others are just outside looking in.
The Big 12 standings further highlight the tight race. As of now, BYU sits at 8-6 in conference play, West Virginia is at 6-8, Kansas State holds a 7-7 record, and Cincinnati lags at 5-9. With only a handful of regular-season games remaining, each matchup carries significant postseason implications.
This week’s schedule features high-stakes action. BYU will face a tough test against No. 23 Kansas, while West Virginia and Cincinnati will go head-to-head, in a game that could knock one out of contention entirely. Kansas State, meanwhile, will take on Utah in a game that could shift their tournament outlook.
According to Lunardi, the Big 12 is projected to send eight teams to the 2025 NCAA Tournament. The confirmed selections include Houston, Iowa State, Texas Tech, Arizona, Kansas, Baylor, West Virginia, and BYU. Notably, Kansas State is currently ranked No. 75, and Cincinnati sits just behind at No. 77 in Lunardi’s projections.
With its combination of depth and competitiveness, the Big 12 remains one of the most respected basketball conferences in the country. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the conference land 10 or even 11 teams in the final tournament field if bubble squads can finish strong.
As the regular season winds down, every possession matters. For West Virginia, BYU, Kansas State, and Cincinnati, the margin for error is slim, and each upcoming contest could make or break their March Madness dreams. Keep your eyes on the Big 12—it’s where the most intense bubble battles are brewing.
