The Big 12 is heading into the final two series of the season and the always dramatic NCAA Tournament will begin soon. The Kansan takes a look at each team’s chances of making the field of 64.

Texas Longhorns

(38-7): Buy

This may be the easiest buy of any team in the Big 12. The Longhorns are ranked No. 1, have the best pitching staff and currently own a 20-game winning streak. The final two conference series for Texas are on the road at Kansas State and Missouri. They should extend that conference winning streak to 23 games by season’s end.

NCAA Projection: No. 1 overall seed, hosting its own regional.

Kansas State

(30-12): Buy

Once a surprise, the Wildcats have proven they can play with the top teams in the Big 12. The best example of this were sweeps of Oklahoma State in late-March and Baylor in mid-April. But the biggest test of the season is this weekend as Kansas State welcomes Texas.

NCAA Projection: No. 2 seed (Fayetteville Regional)

Texas Tech

(26-22): Buy

If you went to Vegas and bet on Texas Tech to threaten Texas in the Big 12, you might be able to cash in. The Red Raiders have one of the best closers in the nation, Chad Bettis, and a standout freshman batter, Barrett Barnes, who is third in the conference with 11 home runs. The only thing hurting the Red Raiders is a 7-10 record on the road out of conference, which might catch up with them when they head into the tournament.

NCAA Projection: No. 3 Seed (Baton Rouge Regional)

Oklahoma

(32-12): Hold

The Sooners are a tricky team to figure out. They have a solid record and talent that can compete with teams around the nation. But there are questions regarding which Oklahoma team is the real one: the team that got swept by Texas early this season or the team that took two out of three from Texas A&M. If the squad that has hit a league-leading 62 home runs this season shows up in the tournament, the Sooners will be a tough out.

NCAA Projection: No. 2 Seed (Fort Worth Regional)

Texas A&M

(25-17-1): Sell

The Aggies have slid down to the middle of the conference and are in danger of missing the NCAA Tournament. They have struggled both at home and on the road. The pitching staff is second in the conference with an ERA of 3.65, but the hitting has dipped to ninth in the conference. Texas A&M could play its way in the NCAA Tournament with a successful Big 12 Tournament run.

NCAA Projection: No. 3 Seed (Tempe Regional)

Kansas

(26-19-1): Sell

Kansas had one of the toughest out-of-conference schedules in the nation, and the Jayhawks have struggled to find consistency in the bullpen during conference play. If the selection committee puts the Jayhawks in, a major reason could be the LSU series in mid-March, when Kansas won two of three games. If the Jayhawks don’t get in, losses in conference will be the reason why.

NCAA Projection: (Not in, and will be one of the last four left out)

Missouri

(23-19): Sell

Missouri’s season has been dominated by the excellent play of Aaron Senne, who’s among the league leaders in home runs, runs scored and batting average. The Tigers’ pitching staff has struggled this season, giving up heavy amounts of runs in series to Baylor and Texas Tech. The offense will have to carry the load if the Tigers want to extend their season

NCAA Projection: (Not In)

Oklahoma State

(26-18): Buy

It might sound crazy but the Cowboys may actually make the NCAA Tournament after their competitive play in the final games of the season. After losing to Wichita State, Oklahoma State took two out of three from Kansas. The selection committee will have to take a look at Oklahoma State’s out-of-conference schedule because the Cowboys played weaker teams. They could use another series win against Baylor, Oklahoma and Texas A&M. Series wins in two of those would give the Cowboys a good argument.

NCAA Projection: (Not In)

Baylor

(25-20): Sell

Baylor has had opportunities this season to make its case for a tournament bid, but the Bears have not been able to solidify their case. Losses against teams like Duke, BYU and Louisiana Tech hurt Baylor’s RPI, which is huge in college baseball’s tournament selection. A sweep of Texas over the weekend did not improve Baylor’s chances for a tournament bid.

NCAA Projection: (Not In)

Nebraska

(20-24)

If you had to name the most disappointing team this season it would be Nebraska by a landslide. Adam Bailey is the only thing keeping this team relevant in the Big 12. He’s among the leaders in home runs, RBIs and total bases. He could have the rare feat of being conference MVP on a last place team.

NCAA Projection: (Not In)

— Edited by Jesse Rangel