Jay Bilas Predicts Two Big 12 Teams to Meet in the Final Four

The Big 12 has established itself as one of the premier conferences in college basketball, and according to ESPN analyst Jay Bilas, the league could once again take center stage during March Madness. In Bilas’ official bracket predictions for the 2026 NCAA Tournament, he projects not one, but two Big 12 teams reaching the Final Four, Arizona and Iowa State, setting up a massive showdown between conference foes on college basketball’s biggest stage.

Bilas believes both teams have the roster and depth to navigate the difficult path through the NCAA Tournament bracket. In his prediction, the two programs meet in the Final Four, guaranteeing the Big 12 a spot in the national championship game.

Ultimately, Bilas sees Arizona coming out on top in that matchup. The Wildcats have been one of the most consistent teams in the country throughout the season, and Bilas believes head coach Tommy Lloyd has a roster capable of delivering a championship-level run. While reaching the Final Four would already mark a major milestone for the program, Bilas expects Arizona to push even further.

“Arizona hasn’t been to the Final Four since 2001, but coach Tommy Lloyd won’t be satisfied with just that,” Bilas wrote. “This Arizona team is good enough to compete for a national title, and it gets it done against Iowa State.”

In Bilas’ full bracket projection, Arizona advances past the Cyclones and goes on to face Michigan State in the national championship game. There, Bilas predicts the Wildcats finish the job and capture the program’s first national title since 1997.

If the prediction plays out, it would be another massive statement for the Big 12, which has repeatedly proven itself as one of the deepest and most competitive leagues in the sport. Having two teams reach the Final Four would further cement the conference’s reputation for producing elite postseason contenders.

Of course, March Madness is famous for chaos and unpredictability, and the road to the Final Four is never easy, but if Bilas is right, the Big 12 could once again be front and center when the tournament reaches its final weekend.