Updated September 21, 2026
Historically, the Big 12 has been Kansas' conference to lose in college basketball. But the addition of some new blood into the conference, and some elite challengers for the Jayhawks, has meant that this conference could go in any number of directions this year. Here, we look at the college basketball betting odds for the year in Big 12 basketball and break down the contenders to win the conference championship.
Team | Odds |
|---|---|
Arizona | +100 |
Houston | +200 |
Iowa State | +700 |
Kansas | +800 |
Texas Tech | +1700 |
Cincinnati | +4500 |
TCU | +6000 |
BYU | +10000 |
West Virginia | +18000 |
UCF | +40000 |
Colorado | +50000 |
Baylor | +50000 |
Arizona State | +60000 |
Oklahoma State | +80000 |
Kansas State | +80000 |
Utah | +100000 |
Odds current as of March 9, 2026
The favorites to win the Big 12 title this season are the Arizona Wildcats. The Wildcats flew under the radar for the most part this season, with late start times out West having a lot to do with that. But they went 29-2 overall during the regular season and dropped just two of their 18 games in Big 12 play.
Not far behind Arizona in the Big 12 tournament odds are the Houston Cougars. Kansas has long been the class of the Big 12, but the addition of Houston to this conference has made this league's status much more unpredictable in recent seasons. Houston is so dominant on the defensive end of the floor, which will make it hard for anyone to defeat them in the conference tournament in Kansas City, with the Cougars hoping this tournament serves as a springboard to another deep NCAA Tournament run.
Among the other teams in the Big 12, the two with the best chance to supplant Houston as conference tournament champs are Iowa State and Kansas. Iowa State won this tournament two seasons ago and certainly has the ability on both ends of the floor to do it again. Meanwhile, Kansas has been unpredictable going into conference tournament time. They have an elite big man in Flory Bidunga, but the presence of guard Darryn Peterson has not been a given, which could cost them again in this tournament.
The Big 12 was formed in 1996 and its teams have participated in the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament since 1997. The tournament is a single-elimination tournament lasting four rounds. The tournament winner earns a berth in the annual NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball tournament.
Kansas has been the conference’s dominant force with 12 Big 12 tournament wins in 16 championship game appearances. Iowa State is 6-0 in its six championship games, including their upset win over Kansas in 2019. Oklahoma has won three of its five championship games while Missouri has won two of their four. Meanwhile, Texas has two wins in its eight championship game appearances. But Oklahoma, Missouri, and Texas have all left for the SEC, as conference realignment has had a huge impact on Big 12 basketball.
Since 2006, only Kansas (9), Iowa State (5), Missouri (2), Texas (2), and Houston (1) have won the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament. Meanwhile, the Big 12 is home to two of the last four National Championship programs, with Baylor winning it all in 2021 and Kansas doing so in 2022.
Wins | Big 12 Team | Last Year Won |
|---|---|---|
12 | Kansas | 2022 |
6 | Iowa State | 2024 |
3 | Oklahoma | 2003 |
2 | Missouri | 2012 |
2 | Oklahoma State | 2005 |
2 | Texas | 2023 |
1 | Houston | 2025 |