Baylor

The Big 12 cellar-dwellers may not be a force this year, but they’re building for the future with only two seniors on the team. The Bears were a tough out at home, led by the play of freshman guard Curtis Jerrells and sophomore Aaron Bruce. The Bears could be a tricky first-round team if their opponent takes them lightly.

Colorado

Coach Ricardo Patton has the Buffaloes in position for their first NCAA Tournament bid since 2003. The Buffs graduate 10 seniors this year, so this will be their best chance to make some noise in the near future. Sophomore guard Richard Roby leads the team with 18 points per game.

Iowa State

The Cyclones regular season was marked by unmet fan expectations and surprising home losses. Still, Iowa State owns one of the best backcourts in the country, which may be enough to have a puncher’s chance at making a run in the conference tournament.

Kansas

The Jayhawks were one of the nation’s hottest teams, winning 10 in a row and 17 of 19 before an 80-55 loss at Texas. Kansas has played well, but with eight freshmen and sophomores averaging more than 10 minutes per game, how they will deal with postseason pressure remains to be seen. If the youth holds up, the Jayhawks will have a favorable seed to make a deep tourney run in the NCAA Tournament.

Kansas State

The Wildcats have been competitive this season, but look to be a year away from being a threat for an NCAA Tournament bid. Only one senior averages more than 10 minutes and team leader Cartier Martin, who averages 18.4 points per game, will return next season. Kansas State has the talent to hang around until the weekend, but will run out of gas against one of the more athletic teams in the conference.

Missouri

The Tigers have been a mess since the midseason resignation of coach Quin Snyder. Missouri seems to just be trying to get the season over with and shouldn’t make it out of the first day.

Nebraska

The Huskers find themselves squarely on the bubble with conference foe Colorado, needing a strong showing to finish the regular season and at least a three-day stay in Dallas to have a chance at making the field of 65. The Huskers’ key is balance, with four players averaging at least 10 points, and they should be a tough out for anyone but the top two.

Oklahoma

The Sooners have been walking a fine line lately, winning three straight games by one point. Coach Kelvin Sampson’s group is 4-2 in one-point games so far. The Sooners have shown the ability to play with anyone – they beat Texas – but have also shown flaws, falling to Missouri. The key to Oklahoma will be the play of big men Taj Gray and Kevin Bookout.

Oklahoma State

Perhaps the only team with a more tumultuous season than Missouri is Oklahoma State. Legendary coach Eddie Sutton took midseason medical leave after back pain and a DUI sent him to treatment for alcohol abuse. The offense revolves around sophomore Jameson Curry, who averages 13.8 points per game. The Cowboys are another youth-heavy team – no seniors average more than 10 minutes – setting them up for a return to prominence soon.

Texas

The Longhorns come into the tournament as the team to beat. Three of the Longhorns’ four losses came against teams in the Top 25, and they should sew up a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament barring a complete collapse in Dallas. The 1-2 punch of P.J. Tucker and LaMarcus Aldridge combines for 32 points per game.

Texas A&M

Coach Billy Gillispie has the Aggies’ program going in the right direction. With 20 victories in sight, Texas A&M could play its way into the field of 65 with a strong showing at the Big 12 tournament. It appears the Aggies will have a favorable first two games in Dallas, so a strong finish to the season will force the selection committee to take a hard look at Texas A&M.

Texas Tech

The Red Raiders have struggled this season, but Bobby Knight’s program could make a run next year. Tech has zero seniors on this year’s team, making them a possible conference sleeper and a team to watch next year. However, without a good showing to close out this season, even the NIT may be out of the question.

– Grant Wall and Brett McIntyre