2024 Big 12 Tournament Semifinals Recap
Kansas City, MO - The Big 12 tournament has had all the top four seeds enter the semifinals. The first semifinal game with host the Texas Tech Red Raiders (#4) and the Houston Cougars (#1). Houston is looking to advance to their first-ever Big 12 championship game. The second semifinal game will have Baylor (#3) compete against Iowa State (#2). These two teams are very evenly matched and, therefore should be very competitive.
Texas Tech (#4) VS Houston (#1)
Houston got to attack right away offensively, proving they are much more than just a defensive team. Grant McCasland, head coach of the Red Raiders, started to speak viciously towards his players as the competitive spirit was flowing through his veins. Jamal Shead and his team only allowed eight points during the first eleven minutes of action as they showcased why they are the number one defensive-rated team in the nation. Texas Tech eventually found their rhythm as they went on a 13-0 run in the final stretch. Houston remained in the lead, 32-29 at the break.
Houston decided to quit playing around as they were determined to build a lead that the Red Raiders could not catch up to. The Cougars went on a 17-1 run that lasted over five minutes. In the end, Texas Tech couldn’t do anything to slow down Houston as the Cougars won, 82-59. They will advance to the Big 12 championship for the first time since joining the conference.
Baylor (#3) VS Iowa State (#2)
The Cyclones got off to a terrific start, leading 9-1 within the first three minutes and forcing Scott Drew to call an early timeout. Tamin Lipsey, star point guard for the Cyclones, got off to a great start as he knocked down a pair of early triples. The bigs of Baylor started to make a difference as they were grabbing important rebounds and then getting the ball to the guards to get into transition. Jayden Nunn committed a flagrant one-foul by shoving Lipsey to the ground with his forearm as he was trying to create space to move. This incident allowed Iowa State to grab all the momentum in the game. At the break, Iowa State led 35-27.
Once the whistle blew to signal the start of the second half, the Cyclones were off to the races. Ja’kobe Walker could not get anything going offensively which really impaired their ability to make a comeback. Iowa State kept on scoring regardless of how contested their shots were as Keshon Gilbert led the charge with 20 points. Every time that Baylor would try to shrink the lead, Iowa State kept responding back. Iowa State would go on to win, 76-62, and advance to the Big 12 championship game.
