2024 Big 12 Tournament odds, prediction: Fade Houston

Headlined by the No. 1-ranked Houston Cougars, it’s expected to be their conference to lose despite four teams ranked inside the AP Top 25 to close the regular season.

Iowa State is ranked No. 7 heading into the Big 12 Tournament, with Baylor ranked No. 14 and Texas Tech No. 25.

The Cougars are still massive favorites heading into the conference tournament despite the formidable competition that is in front of them.

Oddsmakers at BetMGM Sportsbook have Houston as -150 favorites to win the Big 12, followed by Iowa State (+400) and Baylor (+600).

Interestingly, Texas Tech is way down the odds board, coming in at 20/1, the sixth-best odds in the conference, despite being nationally ranked and having defeated Baylor on Saturday.

The Red Raiders have two byes and open tournament play in the quarterfinals.

Texas Tech is far down the oddsboard because they are on the same side of the bracket as the Cougars and would meet in the semifinals, should both teams win in the quarterfinals.

The teams on the right side of the bracket have a far better chance of reaching the conference championship, with a hedge spot available once they get that far.

Houston is No. 1 in adjusting rating according to KenPom, but -150 is crazy considering the strong teams they may have to face in the semifinals and finals.

A good long shot is the Kansas Jayhawks, who have 14/1 odds.

They are on the right side of the bracket and are ranked No. 18 in the country in adjusted efficiency margin, according to KenPom.

Kansas also will be without stars Hunter Dickinson and Kevin McCullar Jr., per ESPN.

However, the Jayhawks already their potential quarterfinal opponent, Baylor, on Feb. 10.

Iowa State is the No. 2 seed and only beat Kansas at home by four.

BetMGM’s odds are too high here, the highest in the sports betting market by far with others giving the 2022 national champions +800 odds win the Big 12.

PICK: Kansas Jayhawks win the Big 12 Tournament (14/1, BetMGM)