This Year is Perfect for an Extra Competitive Big 12 Conference

Last season's weight-room controversy during the NCAA Tournament may have been a blessing in disguise. Following the revelation of the disparity in the availability of training equipment between the men's and women's tournaments, the women's tournament saw its highest ever TV ratings. Later that year, the Women's College World Series set ratings records as well.

Now, the cynics might point to the fact that these events were being shown on "higher profile" channels, with games being featured on ESPN and ESPN2 instead of the typical ESPNU or ESPN+ that they would normally receive. And while I agree that the channel placement definitely made a huge difference, it's hard to ignore the impact that public outcry likely had on how those channel assignments were ultimately decided.

But what does this have to do with Kansas and the Big 12? Over the last decade, the eventual conference winner has typically only had one challenger, and the race has been decided well before the end of the season. Add in the fact that games have been extremely difficult to find, and enthusiasm for the conference has waned long before the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments.

However, in a year where women's sports are more accessible than ever, the conference is having one of the best and most compelling conference races in the country. After the upsets that occurred last night (AFTER we recorded today's podcast episode), there are still five different teams that have a legitimate chance of winning at least a share of the regular season title.

The Baylor Bears and Iowa State Cyclones share the conference lead at 10-3. The Kansas Jayhawks and Oklahoma Sooners are one game behind at 9-4 and the Texas Longhorns are two games back at 8-5. And these teams have multiple games against each other in the final two weeks in the season. Kansas alone plays each of the other contenders.

And it's not like this is a competitive conference that is mediocre. In each of the Top-16 reveals that preview the tournament selection process, the Big 12 has had 4 teams included, the most of any conference.

All this (and the extra attention it brings) comes together at an important time for a conference. where membership is changing over the course of the next few seasons. As more sports become relevant from a broadcast perspective, it is important to show that the conference as a whole is robust and ready to take on the challenges it will be facing in this ever-changing college sports landscape. The depth being shown in this conference race is an important first step.