Next, UCF beat Cincinnati 66-65 in an overtime thriller after the Bearcats fumbled a second-half lead. Then, the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback and head coach, alongside former Chiefs tight end Blake Bell, were courtside to watch BYU beat West Virginia 68-48.
The second round of the tournament ended with TCU beating Oklahoma State 95-88 in a close game. That means Kansas, seeded third, will face TCU Thursday night at 8:30.
See a full recap of the day, captured courtside by The Star’s Emily Curiel and Tammy Ljungblad.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was on hand for the BYU-West Virginia game at the Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Iowa State vs. Arizona State
Iowa State Cyclones forward Blake Buchanan (23) makes a basket against Arizona State Sun Devils during the first half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Arizona State guard Noah Meeusen (15) slips as Iowa State forward Milan Momcilovic (22) catches the ball before it goes out of bounds during the first half of a Big 12 men's basketball tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Iowa State Cyclones forward Joshua Jefferson (5) shoots a three-point basket against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the second half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Iowa State forward Blake Buchanan (23) dribbles up court while shielding the ball from Arizona State center Massamba Diop (35) before attempting a layup during the second half of a Big 12 men's basketball tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Arizona State Sun Devils center Massamba Diop (35) makes a slam dunk against the Iowa State Cyclones during the second half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Iowa State fans cheer from the stands after Iowa State defeated Arizona State 91-42 in a Big 12 men's basketball tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Iowa State Cyclones guard Jamarion Batemon (1) walks through a red-lit tunnel after Iowa State defeated Arizona State 91-42 in a Big 12 men's basketball tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Iowa State forward Joshua Jefferson (5) autographs a fan's T-shirt after Iowa State defeated Arizona State 91-42 in a Big 12 men's basketball tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Cincinnati vs. UCF
UCF Knights guard Riley Kugel (2) makes a slam dunk during the first half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Cincinnati Bearcats center Moustapha Thiam, left, and UCF Knights center John Bol battle for a rebound during a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
Brett Yormark, commissioner of the Big 12 Conference, stands courtside while watching a game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the UCF Knights during the first half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
UCF Knights forward Jordan Burks (99) makes a layup over Cincinnati Bearcats forward Baba Miller (18) during the second half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
UCF Knights center John Bol (7) watches the ball as he makes a layup over Cincinnati Bearcats center Moustapha Thiam (52) during overtime of a Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Kansas City.. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
UCF players clear the bench after taking a one-point lead in overtime against Cincinnati during a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Kansas City. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
UCF centers Jeremy Foumena (0) and John Bol (7) celebrate after defeating Cincinnati 66-65 in overtime in a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Kansas City Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
UCF center John Bol (7) yells as he walks through a lit tunnel after defeating Cincinnati 66-65 in overtime in a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Kansas City Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com
BYU vs. West Virginia
BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) goes for a slam dunk as West Virginia Mountaineers guard Honor Huff (3) defends during the first half of the Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
BYU Cougars forward Dominique Diomande (24) goes for two as West Virginia defends during the first half of the Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and former Chiefs tight end Blake Bell were on hand for the BYU-West Virginia game during the Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and former Chiefs player Blake Bell acknowledged the crowd during the BYU-West Virginia game at the Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
BYU Cougars forward Khadim Mboup (7) defends as West Virginia Mountaineers center Harlan Obioha (55) shoots during the second half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
BYU Cougars forward Khadim Mboup (7) and BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) go for the ball in front of West Virginia Mountaineers forward DJ Thomas (5) during the second half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid sat on the BYU bench as coach Kevin Young watched during the second half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Oklahoma State vs. TCU
Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Jaylen Curry (0) goes for two as Texas Christian University Horned Frogs forward Micah Robinson (5) and Texas Christian University Horned Frogs forward Xavier Edmonds (24) defend during the first half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Texas Christian University Horned Frogs coach Steve Lutz looks on during the first half against Oklahoma State University during the Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Oklahoma State Cowboys center Benjamin Ahmed (23) goes for the ball as Texas Christian University Horned Frogs forward Micah Robinson (5) defends during the first half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Kansas City. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Oklahoma State University mascot Pistol Pete greets guests during the game against Texas Christian University Horned Frogs at the Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Kansas City. TCU defeated OSU, 95-88. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Texas Christian University Horned Frogs forward Micah Robinson (5) was fouled by Oklahoma State Cowboys center Mekhi Ragland (13) during the second half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Kansas City. TCU defeated OSU, 95-88. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Texas Christian University Horned Frogs forward David Punch (15) is blocked by Oklahoma State Cowboys forward Christian Coleman (4) during the second half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Kansas City. TCU defeated OSU, 95-88. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Texas Christian University Horned Frogs cheerleaders perform during the second half of the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Kansas City. TCU defeated OSU, 95-88. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Texas Christian University Horned Frogs guard Tanner Toolson (55) shoots as Texas Christian University Horned Frogs guard Jayden Pierre (1) defends during the second half of a Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament game at T-Mobile Center on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Kansas City. TCU defeated OSU, 95-88. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
This story was originally published March 11, 2026 at 11:36 PM.
Emily Curiel, is a visual journalist at The Star. With a broad scope of coverage, Curiel navigates subjects including breaking news, sports, features and long-form narratives. She is a first-generation graduate from San Francisco State University and a native of Los Angeles.
Tammy Ljungblad, at The Kansas City Star, since 1989, is a photojournalist producing videos and storytelling photographs covering a wide range of topics including the Kansas City Chiefs, breaking news, in-depth stories and personality profiles. She is also a FAA licensed drone pilot.Support my work with a digital subscription
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