A look at the Big 12 Tournament’s top six seeds

No. 1 Kansas

▪ Quarterfinal opponent: Kansas State/Oklahoma State winner

▪ Season series: 2-0 vs. Kansas State, 1-1 vs. Oklahoma State

▪ Record: 27-4, 15-3

▪ National ranking: 1

▪ NCAA Tournament projection: 1 seed

The Jayhawks, riding an 11-game winning streak, are a near-lock for a No. 1 NCAA Tournament seed heading into the Big 12 Tournament. KU is led offensively by senior forward Perry Ellis, who averaged 17.7 points while making 54 percent of his twos, 44 percent of his threes and 79 percent of his free throws in Big 12 play. The Jayhawks haven’t won the conference tournament since 2013, falling to Iowa State in each of the last two seasons.

No. 2 West Virginia

▪ Quarterfinal opponent: Texas Tech-TCU winner

▪ Season series: 2-0 vs. Texas Tech, 2-0 vs. TCU

▪ Record: 24-7, 13-5

▪ National ranking: 9

▪ NCAA Tournament projection: 2-3 seed

The Mountaineers, looking for their first Big 12 Tournament victory, carry a four-game winning streak into the postseason, and three of those victories came against likely NCAA Tournament-bound teams by double digits. Defensive pressure continues to be the Mountaineers’ calling card. They lead the Big 12 in steals at 9.8 per game and turnover margin at 4.4 a game. They’re also the league’s most relentless rebounding team, topping the league in offensive and defensive rebounding percentage.

No. 3 Oklahoma

▪ Quarterfinal opponent: Iowa State

▪ Season series: 1-1

▪ Record: 24-6, 12-6

▪ National ranking: 6

▪ NCAA Tournament projection: 1-2 seed

Are the Sooners tired? Three starters — Buddy Hield, Isaiah Cousins and Ryan Spangler — are the top three in the Big 12 in minutes played. Oklahoma won its final two games, but went 4-3 to finish the season. Still, the Sooners are in the conversation for a No. 1 seed. Hield is the league’s most talented offensive player, averaging 25.1 points and shooting 47 percent on three-pointers. Oklahoma makes more three-pointers per game (10.6) and shoots at a higher percentage (43.0) than any other team in the Big 12.

No. 4 Texas

▪ Quarterfinal opponent: Baylor

▪ Season series: 1-1

▪ Record: 20-11, 11-7

▪ National ranking: 23

▪ NCAA Tournament projection: 4-5 seed

In his first season as coach, Shaka Smart raised the energy level of the Longhorns. Now, he’ll see if he can alter Texas’ postseason fortunes. The Longhorns have advanced past the quarterfinal round just once in the last three seasons. Smart said that Cameron Ridley could see action this week. The 6-10, 290-pound senior was averaging 12.7 points and 10.0 rebounds through 11 games when he went down because of a broken foot in December.

No. 5 Baylor

▪ Quarterfinal opponent: Texas

▪ Season series: 1-1

▪ Record: 21-10, 10-8

▪ National ranking: 22

▪ NCAA Tournament projection: 5-6 seed

Baylor was the only Big 12 team with a better conference road record (6-3) than home (4-5). All-conference forward Taurean Prince has scored in double figures in 14 straight games and is averaging 19.3 points in his last three. After winning at Texas by 15 on Feb. 20, the Bears closed the regular season by losing three of four. Baylor joins Michigan State and Oklahoma as the only teams ranked in the top 25 in men’s and women’s basketball and football.

No. 6 Iowa State

▪ Quarterfinal opponent: Oklahoma

▪ Season series: 1-1

▪ Record: 21-10, 10-8

▪ National ranking: 21

▪ NCAA Tournament projection: 4-5 seed

The Cyclones are bidding for their third straight tournament championship. Iowa State has been a giant-killer over the last three seasons. Its 22 victories over teams ranked in The Associated Press poll in that time ranks second nationally. The Cyclones lead the Big 12 in scoring (82.0) and in field-goal percentage (50.3) and are trying to become the first Big 12 team in four years to shoot 50 percent or better from the field.

This story was originally published March 8, 2016 at 8:19 PM with the headline "A look at the Big 12 Tournament’s top six seeds."