Phillips 66 Big 12 Women's Basketball Championship
The Phillips 66 Big 12 Women's Basketball Championship is the conference championship tournament for the Big 12 Conference women's basketball teams. The championship is held annually and determines the champion of the Big 12 Conference.
Format
The format of the Phillips 66 Big 12 Women's Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament featuring all ten Big 12 Conference teams. The first four rounds of the tournament are played at a neutral site, with the semifinals and championship game being played at a predetermined location.
The tournament bracket is determined by regular season conference standings. The top six teams receive first-round byes while the remaining four teams play in the first round.
History
The Phillips 66 Big 12 Women's Basketball Championship began in 1997 and was initially held at various campus sites. In 1998, the tournament moved to a neutral site and has been held at neutral sites ever since.
The Baylor Lady Bears have been the most successful team in the tournament's history, winning ten championships as of 2021. Other teams that have won the tournament multiple times include the Oklahoma Sooners, Texas Longhorns, and Texas Tech Lady Raiders.
Importance
The Phillips 66 Big 12 Women's Basketball Championship is an important event for both the participating teams and the conference as a whole. The winner of the tournament receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament.
The tournament also provides exposure for the Big 12 Conference and its member schools. The championship game is typically broadcast on national television, giving the conference and its teams increased visibility.
2021 Tournament
The 2021 Phillips 66 Big 12 Women's Basketball Championship was held from March 11-14, 2021, at the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri. The tournament was played without fans in attendance due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The Baylor Lady Bears won their eleventh championship, defeating the West Virginia Mountaineers in the championship game by a score of 76-50.
Conclusion
The Phillips 66 Big 12 Women's Basketball Championship is a highly anticipated event for Big 12 Conference women's basketball fans. The tournament provides excitement and exposure for the conference and its member schools. The 2021 tournament was a success despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and fans can look forward to next year's tournament with optimism.
