The message is now simple: either win or go home.

The women’s Big 12 Championship tips off Friday at the American Airlines Arena in Dallas, Texas, but with the way that conference play has unfolded in the past few weeks, no real team has a definite advantage entering the tournament.

Baylor, who is currently the top seed in the conference, even suffered back-to-back losses in its final games of the season, including one to Iowa State. With the conference shaking out they way it did, it seems the Cyclones have found some extra confidence heading into the tournament.

“Anybody in this conference, if they play like they know how to play, any team can be beat,” said junior guard Nicole “Kidd” Blaskowsky. “That’s what makes us the Big 12. There are great teams out there and it’s just going to be a matter of who wants it more.”

No. 5 Iowa State (18-11, 9-9 Big 12) has earned a first round by in the tournament and will face No. 4 Oklahoma State (19-10, 9-9 Big 12) at 11 a.m. Saturday.

The Cyclones have three players who hail from Texas on their roster, including senior point guard Nikki Moody, who grew up in Dallas.

Now, going home for her final Big 12 tournament, Moody said this one is already more special than the others.

“My parents have been coming to every single game so far, but I get to be at home and being at home is more comfortable for me,” Moody said. “Playing in Texas is more comfortable for me. I think being in that environment is just going to be a lot of fun for me.”

The Cyclones have faced Oklahoma State twice already this season, but have twice failed to come up with a win against the Cowgirls.

The Cowgirls also beat the Cyclones last season in the conference tournament by 10 points, eliminating them from the event.

ISU coach Bill Fennelly is trying to keep his players focused on the game ahead, instead of on the games in the past, something that he said is the best thing to do in a situation like this.

“Players don’t remember those things like we all want them to or think they do,” Fennelly said. “When you get into a postseason event, you want to play as well as you can and if you get beat, you hope you get beat giving it your best shot. That’s the thing you try to prepare for.”

Fennelly also said he hasn’t allowed any discussion on what happened in the regular season, hoping to keep his players looking forward and focusing on the next game.

Some of the players on the team, however, can’t help but reflect on the past few games against the Cowgirls. And the fact that they were swept this season by Oklahoma State, Blaskowsky said, is going to make this time around a little more special.

“There’s a lot of pride on this team and this game I think is going to be more personal for everyone in their own way,” Blaskowsky said. “They are a great team and they have very versatile players. When you have that kind of people on the court, you have to step up to it. It’ll be a challenge, but I think it’ll be a good first game for us in the tournament.”