Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship
The Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship is an annual college basketball tournament that serves as the conference championship for the Big 12 Conference. The tournament typically takes place in March and includes all ten teams from the conference. The winner of the tournament earns an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.
History of the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship
The first Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship took place in 1997, shortly after the conference was formed. The tournament has been sponsored by Phillips 66 since 2015. Before that, the tournament had several different sponsors, including Dr Pepper, Phillips 66, and Sprint.
The tournament format has varied over the years. Initially, the tournament featured only the top eight teams from the conference, with the higher-seeded teams hosting the lower-seeded teams in the first round. In 2012, the tournament expanded to include all ten teams in the conference, with the bottom four teams playing in the first round and the top six teams receiving a bye.
Format of the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship
The current format of the tournament includes all ten teams from the Big 12 Conference. The bottom four teams play in the first round, with the winners advancing to the quarterfinals to play the top four seeds from the conference. The winners of the quarterfinals advance to the semifinals, and the winners of the semifinals play in the championship game.
The tournament typically takes place over five days, with multiple games being played each day. The championship game is usually held on the final day of the tournament.
Past Champions of the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship
Over the years, several teams have won the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship. The Kansas Jayhawks have won the most championships, with 11 titles to their name. Other past champions include the Oklahoma Sooners, the Iowa State Cyclones, and the Baylor Bears.
Recent champions include the Kansas Jayhawks, who won the tournament in both 2020 and 2021. The 2021 tournament was particularly memorable, as it was held during the COVID-19 pandemic and included several safety protocols to protect players and coaches.
How to Watch the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship
The Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship is typically broadcast on various television networks, including ESPN and CBS. Fans can also stream the games online through various platforms, such as the ESPN app or the CBS All Access app.
Tickets to the tournament are also available for purchase, although availability may be limited due to COVID-19 protocols and other factors.
Conclusion
The Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship is an exciting tournament that brings together some of the best college basketball teams in the country. With a rich history and a competitive format, the tournament is a must-watch for any basketball fan. Whether you're watching from home or attending the games in person, the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Championship is sure to provide plenty of thrills and excitement.