Baylor Women’s Basketball Set for Big 12 Tournament Showdown

KANSAS CITY, Missouri — The No. 17 Baylor women’s basketball team (25-6, 15-3) is gearing up to face Iowa State (22-10, 12-6) in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Tournament. The matchup is scheduled to tip off at 5:30 p.m. CT on Friday, March 7, at T-Mobile Center, and will be streamed live on ESPN+.

Baylor’s head coach, Nicki Collen, has steered the team to an impressive 99-34 record over her tenure, leading them to three NCAA Tournaments, including a Sweet 16 appearance.

Iowa State, coached by Bill Fennelly, brings experience and a solid record of its own, boasting a career record of 799-376, with 25 NCAA Tournament appearances, six Sweet 16 finishes, and two Elite Eight showings.

Despite their strong season, Baylor is facing challenges, particularly with the absence of star forward Darianna Littlepage-Buggs, who is expected to miss the tournament due to injury but is anticipated to return for the NCAA Tournament.

In a recent interview, Collen expressed her thoughts on the team’s readiness for the tournament. ‘We understand the importance of this moment and the opportunity we have to compete on this stage,’ she said. ‘It’s crucial that we pull together and execute our game plan effectively.’

Senior guard Jada Walker also spoke on the team’s preparation. ‘We know Iowa State can be a tough opponent,’ Walker stated. ‘We’ve studied their game, and I feel confident in our ability to adapt and perform well.’ The Bears have their sights set not only on winning the tournament but also on securing a favorable seeding in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

As they head into this critical matchup, the Lady Bears remain poised and focused, ready to tackle the challenges posed by Iowa State. With both teams bringing their best, fans can expect an exciting quarterfinal showdown in Kansas City.