The Kansas Jayhawks have been the top dog in the Big 12 for well over a decade, and they’ll likely cruise to another No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament even if they lose Saturday’s conference title game. Their opponent, West Virginia, is looking to establish itself as a major player after being a relative newcomer to the conference.
West Virginia vs. Kansas 2016, Big 12 tournament: Time, TV schedule and live stream
West Virginia will look for its first conference title since joining the Big 12.
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
The Mountaineers joined the Big 12 after the original Big East dissolved in 2012. They had a rough couple of years adjusting to the new level of competition, but in the 2014-15 season WVU re-emerged as contenders. The Mountaineers finished 23-8 in the regular season and fourth in the Big 12, reaching the Sweet 16 afterwards.
This year, the Mountaineers continued to assert themselves, earning the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament and edging out Oklahoma 69-67 in a chaotic semifinal game. Buddy Hield nearly won the game with a crazy half-court shot, but replays revealed that he didn’t get it off before the buzzer sounded.
The Jayhawks’ path to the final was much more straightforward. Although they had some trouble with Baylor in the semifinals, they ultimately walked away with the 70-66 win. Bill Self’s team is where it’s usually at -- in the hunt for a No. 1 seed and looking to make a run towards the Final Four.
These teams split their regular-season series, with the home team winning each time. Things could be just as even when they square off in Kansas City on Saturday.
How to watch
When: Sat. 6 p.m. ET
Where: Sprint Center, Kansas City, Mo.
TV: ESPN
Announcers: Brent Musburger, Fran Fraschilla, Holly Rowe
Online: WatchESPN
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