A look at Thursday’s Big 12 Tournament quarterfinals
No. 5 Baylor (21-10) vs. No. 4 Texas (20-11)
When: 11:30 a.m.
TV: ESPN2
Baylor
Coach: Scott Drew
Tournament titles: None
RPI rank: 27
Players to watch: F Rico Gathers has been the Big 12’s top rebounder for several seasons, but he will soon switch to football and pursue a career in the NFL as a tight end ... F Taurean Prince was one of the league’s top scorers this season and received all-conference honors.
Pack enough clothes for: A long weekend. Baylor was at its best on the road this season. The Bears can make the final.
Most recent NCAA Tournament: 2015
What they are: An NCAA Tournament regular that ocassionally makes noise in March.
What the rest of the Big 12 sees: An above-average basketball team that is never easy to beat, but rarely wins big.
What they should be: Drew has built a good thing in Waco. It’s hard to imagine the Bears doing much better with another coach.
Texas
Coach: Shaka Smart
Tournament titles: None
RPI rank: 24
Players to watch: G Isaiah Taylor is one of the league’s top point guards, and may turn pro as a junior ... F Cam Ridley has been injured most of the season, but he may return this week.
Pack enough clothes for: One night. Texas may beat Baylor, but it’s hard to envision it getting past Kansas in the semifinals.
Most recent NCAA Tournament: 2015
What they are: A ranked team that recruits well.
What the rest of the Big 12 sees: An underachieving program that has declined steadily since Rick Barnes’ early years.
What they should be: A giant that challenges Kansas for Big 12 championships.
Oklahoma State-Kansas State winner vs. No. 1 Kansas (26-4)
When: 2 p.m.
TV: ESPN2
Kansas
Coach: Bill Self
Tournament titles: 1997-98-99-2006-07-08-10-11-13
RPI: 1
Players to watch: F Perry Ellis has never played better ... G Frank Mason continues to make his case as one of the conference’s top point guards.
Pack enough clothes for: A championship run. If Kansas doesn’t win a trophy this week, it will be a disappointment but won’t mean enough to lose an NCAA No. 1 seed.
Most recent NCAA Tournament: 2015
What they are: The basketball powerhouse of the Big 12.
What the rest of the Big 12 sees: A juggernaut that has won at least a share of 12 consecutive conference championships.
What they should be: The Big 12’s flagship basketball program.
TCU-Texas Tech winner vs. No. 2 West Virginia (24-7)
When: 6 p.m.
TV: ESPNU
West Virginia
Coach: Bob Huggins
Tournament titles: None
RPI rank: 10
Players to watch: G Jaysean Paige is a reserve in name only. The West Virginia guard is the team’s top player, and earned all-conference honors ... F Devin Williams averaged 12.7 points and 9.1 rebounds this season.
Pack enough clothes for: Long games. No one fouls more than West Virginia, which means its games will last well beyond two hours.
Most recent NCAA Tournament: 2015
What they are: A well-coached team with average talent.
What the rest of the Big 12 sees: Fouls, and lots of them. No opposing coach enjoys playing Press Virginia.
What they should be: As long as Bob Huggins is there, West Virginia will be a basketball power.
No. 6 Iowa State (21-10) vs. No. 3 Oklahoma (24-6)
When: 8:30 p.m.
TV: ESPNU
Iowa State
Coach: Steve Prohm
Tournament titles: 2000-14-15
RPI rank: 19
Players to watch: F Georges Niang is one of the toughest players to defend, as he can score on the inside and on the perimeter ... G Monte Morris leads the Big 12 in assists.
Pack enough clothes for: For three days. Iowa State has won this tournament in back-to-back years.
Most recent NCAA Tournament: 2015
What they are: A program with terrific fan support that can be both very good and very bad, depending on the coach.
What the rest of the Big 12 sees: A big home-court advantage at Hilton Coliseum with players recruited by Fred Hoiberg.
What they should be: Hoiberg and Larry Eustachy proved you can win in Ames. Iowa State needs to support Prohm the same way.
Oklahoma
Coach: Lon Kruger
Tournament titles: 2001-02-03
RPI rank: 5
Players to watch: G Buddy Hield is a contender for national Player of the Year ... F Ryan Spangler led the Big 12 in rebounding this season.
Pack enough clothes for: Another classic against Kansas. Everyone wants to see those two teams play a third time.
Most recent NCAA Tournament: 2015
What they are: A program with Final Four potential that often struggles to create fans interest.
What the rest of the Big 12 sees: A team with staying power under Kruger’s guidance.
What they should be: Oklahoma has everything a program needs to win the Big 12. It should regularly challenge Kansas.
Kellis Robinett: @kellisrobinett
This story was originally published March 9, 2016 at 3:46 PM with the headline "A look at Thursday’s Big 12 Tournament quarterfinals."