Big 12 Basketball: 18-Game Schedule Returns
- The Big 12 Conference is returning to an 18-game conference schedule for men's basketball, a decision confirmed at the conference's spring meetings in Orlando.This adjustment follows a single...
- Brian Thornton, big 12 VP of Men's Basketball, told the Orlando Sentinel that the change provides coaches with needed respite during the challenging conference play.The move includes a...
- Last summer, the Big 12 welcomed Arizona, Arizona state, Colorado, and Utah, expanding its membership to 16 teams.During the past season, teams played five opponents twice and the...
The big 12 Conference is going back to the 18-game conference schedule for men’s basketball. This move, announced at the spring meetings in Orlando, comes after just one season with the 20-game format. Coaches pushed for this change to reduce the strain of a compressed schedule, with the VP of Big 12 Men’s Basketball noting this change will give teams a needed break. The new schedule also factors in travel concerns for the expanded 16-team conference, which now includes Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah. This decision reflects the conference’s commitment to player well-being and competitive balance. Stay informed with news Directory 3 for all the updates on Big 12 basketball. Discover what’s next for the 2025-26 season schedule, coming soon!
Big 12 Basketball Schedule Reverts to 18 games
The Big 12 Conference is returning to an 18-game conference schedule for men’s basketball, a decision confirmed at the conference’s spring meetings in Orlando.This adjustment follows a single season of an expanded 20-game format in the Big 12 basketball schedule.
Brian Thornton, big 12 VP of Men’s Basketball, told the Orlando Sentinel that the change provides coaches with needed respite during the challenging conference play.The move includes a built-in bye week.
Last summer, the Big 12 welcomed Arizona, Arizona state, Colorado, and Utah, expanding its membership to 16 teams.During the past season, teams played five opponents twice and the remaining 10 once to complete the 20-game conference schedule.
The Big 12 selected opponents based on geography,historical data,and coach input to balance travel and competitiveness. The women’s basketball schedule will remain at 18 games.
“We’re very mindful of the wear and tear and that travel is one of our guiding principles when we think about scheduling,” Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark said earlier this spring.”We’re making sure we’re very sensitive to that, and that will continue.”
What’s next
The conference will release the full 2025-26 Big 12 basketball schedule later this summer, reflecting the return to the 18-game format and incorporating feedback on travel considerations.