The Big 12 & the Big Dance

The following is a look at the seasons in which a Big 12 Conference men’s basketball team has reached the Final Four and how the last weekend of those seasons played out.

Although the conference has been around since the 1996-97 season, it has yet to see a basketball school crowned as champion.

Kansas, making its 13th Final Four appearance of all-time and third in the Big 12 era, has a shot to be the first this weekend in San Antonio, Texas.

2002

Big 12 Participants: Kansas and Oklahoma

Others: Indiana and Maryland

Outcome: Maryland defeats KU, 97-88; Indiana defeats OU, 73-64; Maryland defeats Indiana, 64-52, for title.

Most Outstanding Player: Juan Dixon, Maryland

2003

Big 12 Participants: Kansas and Texas

Others: Syracuse and Marquette

Outcome: KU defeats Marquette, 94-61; Syracuse defeats UT, 95-84; Syracuse defeats KU, 81-78, for title.

Most Outstanding Player: Carmelo Anthony, Syracuse

2004

Big 12 Participant: Oklahoma State

Others: Georgia Tech, UConn and Duke

Outcome: G-Tech defeats OSU, 67-65; UConn defeats Duke, 79-78; UConn defeats G-Tech, 82-73, for title.

Most Outstanding Player: Emeka Okafor, UConn

2008

Big 12 Participant: Kansas

Others: North Carolina, Memphis and UCLA.

Outcome: ????