Big 12 Basketball Discussion: Who Goes To The NCAA Tournament? Who Gets Screwed?

When it comes to qualifying for the NCAA Tournament, every major conference has its teams that are sure to be playing for the National Championship in March.

But, what about all of those teams on the bubble?  After all, that's what March Madness is about isn't it?

In the Big 12 Conference this season there are many questions floating around as we head into the final stretch of Big 12 play.  Although some teams are already in the tournament, the higher seed is always the goal.

Sure, Kansas and Texas are the front-runners, but what about their seeding?  With Kansas, the No. 1 team in the nation for less than 24 hours before being whipped by K-State, a lot could change.  

Will Kansas grab a consecutive No. 1 seed?  How will they be able to achieve it?

Is there anyway for Kansas to grab a share of the Big 12 title after losing to K-State?

Will Texas be able to win out and go undefeated in the last season of the original Big 12 Conference?  Texas is on its way to stealing the Big 12 title outright from the Kansas Jayhawks for the first time in six seasons.  Does anyone left on Texas' schedule have what it takes to take down the future No. 1 team in the country?

Now, we have to look at the middle of the pack.  The Big 12 Conference is filled with many good teams this season and many of them are still fighting for a NCAA tournament birth.

Did K-State seal its fate into the tournament with its stunning upset on Monday?  Or has the damage already been done with the bad conference losses?

Another team that has been less than electrifying this season is Baylor.  After making an Elite Eight run last season and returning guys like LaceDarius Dunn and Quincy Acy it seemed as if Baylor would kill the Big 12.  

Well, it hasn't turned out that way.

Baylor has lost at Kansas State, at Iowa State and at Oklahoma.  Two bottom dwellers in the conference in ISU and OU were able to win at home over the Bears.  To me, that's anything but impressive for the NCAA selection committee.

Can Baylor knock off Missouri, Texas A&M or Texas to close the season?

Will Mizzou be able to win on the road before the season is over?

What about Oklahoma State?  A handful of good wins, but nothing to shove in the face of the selection committee.  What do the Cowboys need to do in order to secure a safe place in the NCAA tournament?

And what are your thoughts on Colorado and Nebraska?  Any chances of these two teams sneaking their way into the tournament in their last campaign as Big 12 Conference members?

So many questions are still floating around this conference in the middle of February which will only make for an exciting photo finish.  

Where will teams end up?  What seeds will the top teams land?  Who will get screwed out of the tournament altogether?

I want to know your opinion.  What do you think will happen?  

As always, discuss!

For all of Kip's Big 12 coverage on B/R and FOX Sports follow him on Twitter @KipReiserer