Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament - Championship

Preview & Prediction – Big 12 Basketball Tournament Championship

#1 Kansas (28-5) VS. #2 Kansas State (27-6) | - (Saturday, March 16th at 5pm)

The first time this season that Kansas played K-State they only came away with a 4 point win 59-55. Nobody on KU was overly impressive with Jeff Withey being the best on the team to finish with a double-double (11p/10r). Ben McLemore added 11 points and Travis Releford added 12, but it was a hard fought battle for Kansas to come out on top. K-State star Rodney McGruder was only 4-12 from the field and had 13 points trying to claw back in the game the whole time. Kansas took the lead and each time K-State went for the lead KU used their defense to stop them.

The next meeting against the two in-state rivals didn’t go the same as the first. Kansas whipped K-State 83-62 despite McGruder dropping in 20 points for KSU. Angel Rodriguez tried to help K-State with adding 17 points himself, but the Wildcats were doomed this entire game. Withey of course had another double-double (17p/10r), but the superstar McLemore showed up for this one. He put on a show with 30 points on 9-13 from the field and grabbed 7 boards. I wouldn’t have thought the game would be so lopsided, but it was.

KU rocked Iowa State 88-73 in the semifinals, and K-State kept a lead all game and rolled Oklahoma State 68-57. These two teams are both hungry for the championship, but KSU might be hungrier. K-State wants revenge and to prove all the haters wrong about who is the best team in Kansas. It’s all about who holds the trophy in the end. K-State plays so well-disciplined basketball that I just love watching their games. Kansas has all 5 starters that are all-stars in college basketball, they are the more fun team to watch. K-State will need the help from more than just McGruder to get the win tonight. KSU must play the ballgame without many errors and just keep hammering away against the mighty Jayhawks. I am always for an upset, and I always like to see the underdog win the game. But, I just don’t think K-State has what it takes to win this game tonight. I actually hope they prove me wrong. It should be a battle and may the best team in the state of Kansas win. Predicted Winner: Kansas