Big 12 Tournament 2015: Iowa State vs. Kansas Schedule, Live Stream, Predictions

The Big 12 tournament championship game is set, and revenge is on Kansas' mind.

Exactly a year after their last matchup in the conference tournament, Kansas and Iowa State will decide the Big 12 championship. That semifinals loss was a shocking one for the Jayhawks to swallow, but Saturday night can provide a chance to completely wash that taste out of their mouth.

In 2013, Kansas won the Big 12 tournament. The Cyclones, after knocking off the Jayhawks in the semis, went on to win the title last season. Both teams come in battle tested and ready to put on a show to decide who is the best team in the conference.

Here's a look at the schedule and prediction for the championship game.

Big 12 Championship Game Information

Where: Sprint Center, Kansas City, Missouri

When: Saturday, March 14

Start Time: 6 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN

Live Stream: WatchESPN

Prediction

Since that semifinal showdown last year, the two programs have faced off twice. Iowa State won the first game at home and Kansas pulled out a 13-point victory in Allen Fieldhouse.

Saturday will be the rubber match after an outstanding regular-season series. Ear plugs might be necessary.

In an ugly win for Kansas on Friday, the Jayhawks proved they are much more than just a solid offensive team. Facing a Baylor team that has been steady all season, Fox Sports KC points out that Kansas shut down the Bears' offense:

Part of that was the return of Perry Ellis, who missed the previous two games. He tallied 11 points and six rebounds in his first game back, but the impact was so much more than what showed up on the stat sheet.

Brian Hamilton of Sports Illustrated notes just how important Ellis' return was for the Jayhawks:

"

The most tangible and necessary step was getting Ellis back on the floor. The 6'8" junior’s demeanor may be understated; his value is not. He received the loudest ovation of any Kansas player during pregame introductions, and his first shot – a corner 3-pointer on the second offensive possession – clearly imbued some belief in the entire sideline. He posted 11 points and six rebounds in 26 minutes, sitting the seven minutes after catching a knee to his right thigh, but the numbers were almost beside the point.

"

In order for Ellis to excel on Saturday, he'll have to go through Georges Niang. That hasn't been an easy task for any player with Niang being a force in the paint this season. Averaging 19.6 points over his last five games, Niang has turned it up down the stretch.

Along with Niang playing well, Iowa State has been the Cardiac Cyclones in March. All four games since the turn of the calendar have been sensational comebacks for ISU, via the team's official account:

In the end, however, it will be the Jayhawks that overpower the Cyclones and step on their neck in the second half.

Kansas hasn't won three straight games since Feb. 2. Ironically enough, that came against Iowa State. Expect a similar game on Saturday with Kansas clinching its fourth Big 12 tournament title in the last six years.

Prediction: Kansas 68, Iowa State 63

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