With a rough bowl season mercifully put to bed, Big 12 fans have something to look forward to this week: the start of the conference basketball schedule.
And it’s no exaggeration to say every Big 12 fanbase should be at least a little eager for this year’s 18-game slate. According to the metrics site kenpom.com, only the Big Ten rates better nationally than the Big 12 with the national non-conference schedule largely completed.
But even the Big Ten has some weaklings at the bottom of it barrel. The Big 12 stands as one of two leagues — along with the Big East — where every team has legitimate NCAA tournament aspirations if everything breaks the right way.