As the 2024-25 men’s college basketball season draws near, a burning question looms: which power conference will reign supreme? According to preseason projections, the Big 12 is poised to take the crown, edging out fierce competitors like the SEC and Big Ten. But what sets the Big 12 apart in this high-stakes battle for hardwood dominance?
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Bracketology expert Joe Lunardi’s preseason rankings paint a vivid picture of the Big 12’s prowess. The conference boasts an impressive nine projected NCAA tournament bids, trailing only the Big Ten and SEC in total entries. However, it’s the average seed of 4.1 that truly sets the Big 12 apart – a testament to the league’s depth and top-tier talent.
Elite Teams Leading the Charge
At the heart of the Big 12’s success lie its elite teams, with two projected No. 1 seeds in the NCAA tournament. This level of excellence at the top is unmatched by any other power conference, giving the Big 12 a distinct advantage in the race for supremacy.
“It’s that level of elite teams, including two projected No. 1 seeds, that puts the Big 12 at the top of the rankings,” Lunardi notes.
Joe Lunardi, ESPN Bracketology Expert
Expansion Without Compromise
The Big 12’s success is even more remarkable considering its recent expansion. While the departure of powerhouses Oklahoma and Texas raised concerns, the conference has seamlessly integrated new members without sacrificing its competitive edge. The addition of Arizona, a perennial contender, has further bolstered the Big 12’s strength.
As one insider reveals, “Arizona is a significant addition for 2024-25, comparable to Houston a year ago.” The pressure now falls on fellow newcomers Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah to match the contributions of last season’s additions, BYU, Cincinnati, and UCF.
The Chasing Pack: SEC and Big Ten
While the Big 12 leads the charge, the SEC and Big Ten are hot on its heels. The SEC’s transformation into a basketball powerhouse is evident, with a staggering 10 projected NCAA tournament bids. As one observer quips, “When Kentucky is picked to finish eighth in a league, that conference as a whole is probably pretty good.”
Meanwhile, the Big Ten faces a perplexing dilemma: despite consistently delivering quantity, with a projected 10 bids, the conference has struggled to translate that into quality. The Big Ten’s 11.4% Sweet 16 advancement rate since 2020 is the lowest among power conferences, and the league hasn’t produced a national champion in nearly a quarter-century.
The Best of the Rest: ACC and Big East
The ACC and Big East, while not boasting the same depth as their counterparts, still pack a punch. The ACC’s rich tournament history and the Big East’s resurgence, led by two-time defending champion UConn, ensure that these conferences cannot be overlooked in the battle for supremacy.
As the 2024-25 season unfolds, all eyes will be on the Big 12 to see if it can maintain its perch atop the power conference hierarchy. With elite teams, savvy expansion, and a hunger to prove itself, the Big 12 is well-positioned to fend off the challenges posed by the SEC, Big Ten, and others. The road to the Final Four runs through the heartland – and the Big 12 is ready to defend its throne.
“The Big 12 led the way last season with eight bids. It’s turned out to be a very rare case in which an expanded league did not suffer a metrics decline,” a conference insider reveals.
As the battle for college basketball supremacy rages on, one thing is certain: the Big 12 has positioned itself as the conference to beat. With a potent mix of top-tier talent, depth, and the ability to adapt and evolve, the Big 12 is poised to leave an indelible mark on the 2024-25 season and beyond. The gauntlet has been thrown down – now it’s up to the rest of the power conferences to rise to the challenge.
