No. 1 Nebraska (29–0, 16–0)

Player to watch: Kelsey Griffin (20.4 points, 10.4 rebounds per game)

The Huskers step into the Big 12 tournament with a clean slate and senior Kelsey Griffin at the helm. Griffin was chosen as the Big 12’s Player of the Year and head coach for Nebraska Connie Yori was named the Big 12 Coach of the Year. Nebraska can play fast, but the Huskers have beaten every conference foe this season and are the favorites for the tournament.

No. 3 Oklahoma (21–9, 11–5)

Player to Watch: Amanda Thompson (12.8 points, 10.1 rebounds per game)

The Sooners had a big question mark at the post coming into this season with the loss of both Paris sisters. However, Thompson has stepped up in their place, averaging a Paris-like double-double number in points and rebounds this season. In addition, the Sooners sport one of the best guard duos in the country in Nyeshia Stevenson and Danielle Robinson, making them poised to do some damage in the tournament if they are clicking on all cylinders. The final week of their regular season had a dichotomy of performances, as they took a 78-55 beating from 4th seeded Texas A&M on Tuesday before demolishing 7th seeded Oklahoma State 95-62 on Sunday.

No. 4 Texas A&M (22–7, 10–6 Big 12)

Player to watch: Tanisha Smith (15.2 points, 5.3 rebounds per game)

Texas A&M clinched the No. 4 seed in the tournament by winning six of its last seven games including key wins over Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas. The Aggies will be relying on their second-ranked offense (75.2 points per game) to lead them deep into the tournament. Senior guard Tanisha Smith, junior center Danielle Adams and sophomore guard Tyra White are the Aggies’ top scorers. The three Kansas City natives have combined for 41 points per game and all rank in the conference’s top 30 in scoring. The Aggies will play the second game on Friday against the winner of Texas and Missouri.

No. 5 Texas (21–9, 10–6)

Player to Watch: Kathleen Nash (12.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 48.1 percent 3-pointers)

Texas has been extremely hot and cold this season, as they have gone on several winning and losing streaks. It is currently the winners in 10 of its last 14, recovering to sweep its opponents last week following three prior consecutive losses. The Longhorns may be the biggest, most athletic team in the conference, and easily have the talent to carry them to late-round upsets should the opportunity present itself. Senior guard Kathleen Nash is on track to set the school record for three-point percentage, with a blistering .481 from behind the arc this season.

No. 6 Baylor (22–8, 9–7)

Player to Watch: Kelli Griffin (7.9 points, 4.9 assists per game)

The obvious story for the Bears right now is the absence of freshman phenom Brittney Griner for their quarterfinal game against Colorado. Griner was suspended for two games last week for taking a swing at the face of Texas Tech’s Jordan Barncastle following an on-court tussle last Wednesday. She poured in 24 points and had 10 rebounds the last time these two teams met, but with her in street clothes for round two against the Buffaloes, Baylor will have a diminished post presence in the paint. This could spell upset for Baylor if Colorado can find their shot early in the game.

No. 7 Oklahoma State (21–9, 9–7 Big 12)

Player to watch: Andrea Riley (25.5 points, 6.7 assists per game)

The Cowgirls started the season by winning seven of their first eight games. They followed up their 7-1 start by proceeding to lose the next five games. But wins over Iowa State and Texas prevented Oklahoma State from dropping to below a .500 conference record. Senior guard Andrea Riley led all-Big 12 scorers averaging 25.5 points for a team that averaged 73.1 points per contest. Oklahoma State will open its tournament play on Thursday facing off against 10th-seeded Kansas.

No. 8 Texas Tech (17–13, 5–11 Big 12)

Player to watch: Jordan Murphree (12.4 points, 4.3 rebounds per game)

While Jordan Barncastle suffered a literal bruise after Baylor’s Brittney Griner punched her in the face on March 3, the Lady Raiders are also feeling the pain as they are in a three-game losing streak. A 10-point loss to Oklahoma state was followed by the intense Baylor battle, which resulted in a nine-point loss. Tech’s last game of the regular season ended in an overtime 3-point loss to Missouri. The Raiders face Kansas State in the first round of the tournament, a game that will likely be a close one.

No. 9 Kansas State (13–17, 5–11 Big 12)

Player to watch: Ashley Sweat (16.7 points, 5.1 rebounds per game)

The Wildcats would be on a seven-game losing streak heading into the tournament if it wasn’t for the two-points that slid them past Colorado last Wednesday. The Kansas State vs. Texas Tech game in the first round of the tournament should be a close one, as both teams are playing near the same level at this point in time.

No. 10 Kansas (15–14, 5–11 Big 12)

Player to watch: Sade Morris (10.1 points per game, .735 free throw percentage)

The Jayhawks lost their top player, Danielle McCray, after a season-ending ACL injury in early February. After the loss of McCray from the lineup, Kansas has a surprising win over Kansas State in its first game without the senior standout. Since the victory over their in-state rival, however, the Jawyhawks have lost seven of their last eight contests. Kansas faces Oklahoma State in its first round game of the NCAA tournament, a challenge for the Wildcats, but the Cowgirls will be coming off a thumping that Oklahoma handed them on Sunday.

No. 11 Colorado (13–16, 3–13 Big 12)

Player to watch: Brittany Spears (17.5 points, 8 points per game)

With only Missouri finishing below them, the Buffaloes were unable to find much success during the season. Colorado struggled both defensively and offensively. The Buffaloes allowed 66.4 points per game to opponents. Junior forward Brittany Spears and senior guard Bianca Smith both ranked in the top 15 in scoring and earned All-Big12 honors, but did not receive much of a supporting cast as the rest of the team averaged only 36.3 points. Colorado will play Baylor in the last game of Thursday’s first round bracket.

No. 12 Missouri (12–17, 2–14)

Player to Watch: Jessra Johnson (12.7 points, 6.1 rebounds per game)

2010 meeting vs. Texas: L 60–41

As they enter the Big 12 tournament, the Tigers find themselves riding their longest Big 12 winning streak of the season: one. Missouri upset eighth-seeded Texas Tech in overtime on Sunday, effectively ending the Lady Radiers’ NCAA hopes. Texas mauled the Tigers in their only meeting this year, which came just last week. Nothing short of a miracle will be needed in order for Missouri to have any hopes of beating the far athletically superior Longhorns in the first round.