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The upsets were limited this year in the Big 12 Tournament this year, but the games still provided some great entertainment. After all the smoke had settled, the Big 12 Tournament champion will be decided between the Kansas Jayhawks and the West Virginia Mountaineers.
1 Kansas vs. 2 West Virginia
Broadcast Info: 5:00 p.m. on ESPN
What To Watch For
The two teams split the season series, as West Virginia was one of just three conference losses for the Jayhawks. The Mountaineers won in Morgantown by 11 with the help of seniors Jaysean Paige, who scored 26 points and Devin Williams, who put up 17 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. West Virginia's focus on driving to the basket paid off, as they were able to take 33 free throw attempts compared to Kansas' 13. Perry Ellis was the lone star the Jayhawks had in the game, scoring 21 points and bringing down 7 rebounds.
Kansas got payback a month later, beating West Virginia by 10 in Lawrence in the middle of the 13 game win streak the Jayhawks are still riding. Perry Ellis scored 21 again in the game, while Landen Lucas was a monster on the boards, grabbing 16 rebounds against one of the best rebounding teams in the country. Frank Mason III was able to stop Press Virginia as well, scoring 14 points. The Mountaineers forced 15 turnovers, but it wasn't enough to power past the star-studded Jayhawks.
The key to tonight's game will be whether or not the Kansas guards can get by West Virginia's relentless press. In the loss, Mason had 7 turnovers, a season high for the Jayhawk junior, while turning the ball over just twice in the victory. Devonte' Graham also had a season high of 5 turnovers during Kansas' win. If Kansas can get the ball past half court consistently and limit their turnovers, the Jayhawks should coast to victory.