BOOM: Iowa State, Houston Have EASY Paths, BYU, TCU Catche HUGE Break, March Madness LOVES Big 12

The 2026 NCAA Tournament bracket has officially been revealed, and if you're a fan of the Big 12, the committee just handed you a roadmap to the Final Four. With eight teams making the field—trailing only the SEC and Big Ten—the conference didn't just get quantity; it got quality placement and, in many cases, a "home-court" advantage through the first two weekends. The Top-Heavy Advantage Arizona headlines the group as the No. 1 seed in the West. By staying in the West Region, Tommy Lloyd’s squad will likely play their first two rounds in Sacramento before potentially heading to San Jose for the Sweet 16. It’s a dream scenario for a team that has already proven it can win on the road in the most hostile environments. Meanwhile, Houston secured a No. 2 seed in the South. While they narrowly missed a No. 1 seed after the loss in Kansas City, their path through Houston for the regional finals is a massive win. The Cougars are essentially gifted a "home game" in the Elite Eight if they can navigate the first three rounds. Middle-Seed Sleepers The "favorable path" narrative extends deep into the mid-seeds: Kansas (No. 4 seed, East): Bill Self in a 4/5 matchup is a nightmare for any top seed. Their potential second-round clash with St. John's in Washington D.C. is one of the most anticipated matchups of the tournament. Iowa State (No. 5 seed, Midwest): The Cyclones land in Chicago, a city that historically turns into "Ames North" during the postseason. Texas Tech (No. 4 seed) and TCU (No. 6 seed): Both programs avoided the "First Four" and landed in regions where their physical defensive styles match up perfectly against finesse-heavy mid-majors. Even BYU, landing as a No. 10 seed, finds itself in a pod where their high-octane offense led by AJ Dybantsa could easily spark a "Cinderella" run. In a year where the Big 12 proved its depth every night, the committee has acknowledged that strength by giving the league every opportunity to dominate the second weekend. Everydayer Club  If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub     Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! 5-Hour ENERGY Have your cake & drink it too. Birthday cake-flavor is back, no fork needed. Vanilla-y cakey flavor, caffeinated kick, and no sugar. It's party time. Order Now at https://5-hourENERGY.com or Amazon. Mazda Like our players, we’re driven by the details. Because highlights make the reel. What it takes to get there makes it count. There’s more to a Mazda. Because there’s more to you.  TurboTax This year you’re getting a major upgrade — Intuit TurboTax now has in-person locations nationwide. Visit http://TurboTax.com/local to book your appointment today. Robinhood You’re no longer just a spectator. Play by play. You decide. Trade Every Play with Robinhood. Now available across the U.S. Download the Robinhood app now to begin. Futures and cleared swaps trading involves significant risk and is not appropriate for everyone. Event contracts are offered by Robinhood Derivatives, LLC., a registered futures commission merchant and swap firm. Wayfair Get last-minute hosting essentials, gifts for all your loved ones, and decor to celebrate the holidays for WAY less. Head to https://Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home.  Wayfair. Every style. Every home.  SupplyHouse Visit https://SupplyHouse.com/tm to learn more about becoming a Trade Master. Use promo code S-H Five College for 5% off your first order at https://supplyhouse.com.  SupplyHouse. Real people. Real service. Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast   Gametime Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONfor $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. FanDuel FanDuel is giving you a way to turn that energy into even bigger potential wins with a College Basketball Parlay Profit Boost.Visit https://FANDUEL.COMto get started — Play Your Game.   FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.