Big 12 Women's Basketball Regular Season Champions
Women's basketball has been a staple of college sports for decades, and one conference that consistently produces top-notch talent is the Big 12. From legendary coaches to superstar players, the Big 12 has seen it all. But one thing that sets the conference apart is the dominance of its regular season champions. In this article, we'll take a look at the history of Big 12 women's basketball, highlighting some of the best teams and players to ever grace the court.
Early Years
The Big 12 Conference was formed in 1994, but women's basketball had been a part of many of the schools' athletic programs for decades prior. In fact, one of the earliest recorded women's basketball teams from the Big 12 comes from the University of Kansas in 1957. That year, the team went 5-2, marking the beginning of a long and storied history for women's basketball in the Big 12.
Legendary Coaches
Throughout the years, many legendary coaches have led teams in the Big 12. Perhaps the most well-known is Pat Summitt, who coached at the University of Tennessee from 1974 to 2012. Though Tennessee is not part of the Big 12 conference, Summitt's impact on women's basketball overall cannot be overstated. She won eight national championships and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000.
Another legendary coach in the Big 12 is Kim Mulkey, who has been the head coach of the Baylor Bears since 2000. Mulkey has led her team to three national championships and has been named National Coach of the Year three times. She is known for her fiery personality and her ability to get the most out of her players.
Dominant Teams
Over the years, many teams in the Big 12 have dominated the regular season. One of the most dominant was the Kansas Jayhawks team of 2013. Led by head coach Bonnie Henrickson and star player Angel Goodrich, the Jayhawks went 12-6 in conference play and won the regular season championship. Though they fell short in the NCAA tournament, their regular season success was undeniable.
Another recent powerhouse in the Big 12 is the Baylor Lady Bears. Led by head coach Kim Mulkey and superstar player Brittney Griner, the Lady Bears won the regular season championship in 2019 with a perfect 18-0 record in conference play. They went on to win the national championship that same year, cementing their place as one of the best teams in Big 12 history.
Superstar Players
Over the years, the Big 12 has produced countless superstar players. One of the most recent is Breanna Stewart, who played at the University of Connecticut before being drafted to the WNBA. Though she did not play in the Big 12, her impact on women's basketball overall cannot be overstated. Stewart led UConn to four consecutive national championships from 2013 to 2016 and was named the Final Four Most Outstanding Player all four years.
Another standout player from the Big 12 is Brittney Griner, who played at Baylor from 2009 to 2013. Griner was a dominant force on the court, using her 6'8" frame to block shots and score at will. She won three national championships with Baylor and was named the Naismith College Player of the Year twice.
Conclusion
The Big 12 Conference has a long and storied history of producing talented women's basketball teams and players. From legendary coaches like Pat Summitt and Kim Mulkey to dominant teams like the 2013 Kansas Jayhawks and the 2019 Baylor Lady Bears, the Big 12 has seen it all. And with talented players like Breanna Stewart and Brittney Griner making their mark on the sport, it's clear that the conference will continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the years to come.