KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Big 12 Conference has undergone significant changes with the departure of long-standing members Oklahoma and Texas, but it has also welcomed four new teams this season. Despite these adjustments, several established women’s basketball programs are expected to battle it out for the championship in this inaugural 16-team era within the conference.
Among those anticipated contenders is No. 13 Kansas State, which was favored by coaches to clinch the title, bolstered by the return of preseason All-Big 12 selections Ayoka Lee and Serena Sundell. The fifth-ranked Iowa State, fueled by veterans Audi Crooks and Emily Ryan, received the second-most votes, while No. 12 Baylor, TCU, and No. 16 West Virginia also garnered considerable attention this preseason.
These institutions have securely established themselves in the Big 12 for years, and while they welcome Arizona, Arizona State, Utah, and Colorado to the league, they are determined to maintain their status and competitiveness within the conference.
“I’ve always believed that if you’re good enough to win the Big 12 championship, you’re also good enough to reach the Final Four and compete for a national title, and that belief holds true,” stated Kansas coach Brandon Schneider, who has led his team to reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament in two of the past three years. “When we compare leagues nationwide, none can rival the competitiveness of ours.”
Even in the absence of Texas—who has claimed the women’s Big 12 Tournament title twice in the last three years—and Oklahoma, which has been a national powerhouse, the conference is poised to be one of the toughest in the country. Notably, for the first time since the 2008 season, four teams in the league are ranked in the top 16 of the preseason AP Top 25 poll.
TCU and Utah have the potential to break into the rankings as well. The Horned Frogs, featuring standout shooter Madison Conner and the nation’s top transfer Hailey Van Lith, boast formidable talent. Meanwhile, Gianna Kneepkens, a preseason All-Big 12 selection, leads Utah’s strong roster.
“In the last two NCAA Tournaments, we’ve made significant strides,” noted Utah coach Lynne Roberts. “Even though we hail from the West Coast, I hope people recognize our accomplishments.”
This year’s women’s Big 12 title game will be held at T-Mobile Center for the second consecutive season but will take place on Sunday instead of the previous Tuesday schedule, which coincided with the eve of the men’s tournament. In the event BYU reaches the game, it will shift to a Monday date.
“The championship event at T-Mobile last year was truly remarkable,” exclaimed Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark, who relocated the tournament from the smaller Municipal Auditorium to the larger venue. “Ticket sales for this year go on sale later this week, and I anticipate a significant increase in demand.”
As the transfer portal remains a central aspect of college athletics, many players within the Big 12 have transitioned teams, leading to intriguing matchups against former teammates and rival schools. For instance, Aaronette Vonleh, who started every game for Colorado last season, is now at Baylor, while Ashley Chevalier transitions from Texas Tech to Houston. Additionally, Hannah Gusters, the top scorer from Oklahoma State, has moved to UCF, and Lior Garzon, who also played for the Cowgirls, is now with the Buffaloes.
One of the notable transfers is Hailey Van Lith, who previously played at Louisville and LSU before joining TCU for her final collegiate season. This past summer, she was part of the U.S. 3×3 basketball team at the Paris Olympics, where they won a bronze medal. Her experience in this fast-paced format, which emphasizes pick-and-roll strategies, is expected to facilitate her integration into TCU coach Mark Campbell’s offensive approach, especially alongside 6-foot-7 teammate Sedona Prince.
“A key reason I chose TCU was its offensive system,” Van Lith remarked. “I believe this environment will drive me to improve.”
Meanwhile, Houston’s coach Ronald Hughey sought insights from men’s basketball coach Kelvin Sampson as he faced his inaugural season in the Big 12 last year. Sampson, who previously coached in the league with Oklahoma, has provided valuable guidance to Hughey.
“Coach Sampson and I share a strong relationship, and I frequently observe his practices,” Hughey shared. “There’s a collective effort to ensure we excel. I often remind the young women that we’re competing alongside intense programs like the Houston men, and we strive to emulate their work ethic every day.”