The Big 12 Tournament opens today with Cincinnati (18-14, 7-13) taking on Iowa State (23-8, 13-7). Iowa State is a favorite of many to surprise this week and in the NCAA Tournament primarily because their metrics on both offense and defense rank in the Top 25 in the nation.

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Houston has quickly established itself as the kings of the Big 12 with back-to-back outright regular season titles in its two seasons since joining the conference from the AAC. But there is still one bit of league supremacy the Cougars have yet to claim. A year ago, they lost to Iowa State in the Big 12 Tournament Championship Game.

The Big 12 Tournament begins on Tuesday and runs through Saturday. Kelvin Sampson's Houston Cougars open as the favorites.

Keyshawn Hall scored 23 points, including 17 in the second half, as UCF defeated Utah 87-72 in the first round of the Big 12 tournament Tuesday.