December 16, 2024 

Locked On Women’s Basketball: Big 12 action heating up

First weekend of Big 12 conference play promises to be competitive

The Big 12 women’s basketball conference has been a hot topic of discussion as teams finish nonconference play and prepare for the start of conference matchups. The league has seen impressive performances, with multiple teams making a mark in the national rankings. On Monday’s episode of Locked On Women’s Basketball, national analyst and host Missy Heidrick bounces all around the Big 12 and previews the first weekend of conference matchups that are just ahead.

Continue reading with a subscription to The Next

Get unlimited access to women’s basketball coverage and help support our hardworking staff of writers, editors, and photographers by subscribing today.

Join today


Want even more women’s sports in your inbox?

Subscribe now to our sister publication The IX and receive our independent women’s sports newsletter six days a week. Learn more about your favorite athletes and teams around the world competing in soccer, tennis, basketball, golf, hockey and gymnastics from our incredible team of writers.

Readers of The Next now save 50% on their subscription to The IX.


Notably, Kansas State, which holds a 11-1 record, is ranked 13th in the AP poll and sits at the top of the Big 12. Their strong defense, led by All-American center Ayoka Lee, has been a standout feature of their season so far. Despite a loss to Duke, Kansas State’s resilience is evident, especially in their 74-48 win over Middle Tennessee, where they outscored their opponent by a large margin in the second half after a slow start.

West Virginia is another team to watch, with a 10-1 record and a spot in the AP Top 15. Their only loss came to Texas, but the Mountaineers’ depth and defensive prowess make them a formidable opponent in conference play. As Missy notes, “West Virginia has one of the best defenses in the nation,” which has allowed them to consistently control games and secure wins, like their 68-46 victory over Temple. The Big 12 is set to see even more intense competition as teams head into conference play, and it’s clear that the race for the top spot will be highly contested.

Looking ahead, the first weekend of conference play promises to be crucial for teams like Kansas, TCU, and West Virginia, all of which have shown strengths early on. As the season progresses, the Big 12’s competitive balance will be tested, and teams will need to find ways to handle the pressures of playing each other in a highly competitive environment. The conference has already proven to be one of the strongest in women’s basketball, and its teams are ready to show what they’re made of as they enter the next phase of the season.


Add Locked On Women’s Basketball to your daily routine

Here at The Next, in addition to the 24/7/365 written content our staff provides, we also host the daily Locked On Women’s Basketball podcast. Join us Monday through Saturday each week as we discuss all things WNBA, collegiate basketball, basketball history and much more. Listen wherever you find podcasts or watch on YouTube.


Written by The Next

Leave a Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.