PETE: Big 12 tourney breakdown includes Keshon Gilbert's value to Iowa State, and a surprise Saturday night matchup in KC

There’s an inflated perception, among some, that postseason conference basketball tournaments actually make a difference. I mean, every coach worth their paycheck believes winning the regular-season grind is more important than winning a conference tournament where, in some places, everyone doesn’t even qualify.

Sure, the fans love it. They gather in places like the downtown Kansas City’s Power and Light District or Kelly’s in Westport, proudly wearing their school colors. It’s their opportunity to celebrate enduring a long season of highs, lows, snowy travel, late games and ESPN+.

But for the teams they support, nothing much changes during these next few days. If you’re among the top three or four seed lines in the NCAA Tournament selection committee’s mind now, then you’re likely not moving much, if at all.

That’s probably where Iowa State sits, after Saturday’s 73-57 blistering victory at Kansas State. Major bracketologies had T.J. Otzelberger’s teama 3-seed after Saturday’s game. Wake up Sunday morning, and the all-important NET had the Cyclones ranked ninth (that’s a 3-seed), KenPom had them ranked 10th, and the BPI had them No. 7.

They’ve got a good enough resume to stay in that range, regardless what happens during Wednesday’s second round against Tuesday’s Oklahoma State-Cincinnati winner. Throughout 23 regular season victories, they’ve built that much cache and respect.

Win a game, and solidify no worse than an NCAA Tournament 3-seed it likely has now? That certainly beats being a No. 4 seed – where a No. 1 awaits in the Sweet 16.

Iowa State’s biggest question, entering a tournament it won last year, is guard and No. 2 scorer Keshon Gilbert’s strained groin? Will he play, or won’t he?

He’s already missed three of the last five games, including Saturday’s. The Cyclones are 1-2 without him and 22-6 with. It’s not like winning is automatic whether he plays or not.

Sure, he can be reckless with the ball when driving to the rim, but if Milan Momcilovic, Curtis Jones and the rest of the deep shooters are on their games, the middle is open for and-one opportunities.

Translated: Even if he has to endure some soreness, Iowa State needs Keshon Gilbert.

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OTHER THOUGHTS AS IOWA STATE INVADES DOWNTOWN KC

>>> The Cyclones own the Big 12 tournament.

At least recently Iowa State owns it. Five of the last 10 titles prove that, and don’t tell me it’s because some teams ease up to conserve energy and health for the NCAA Tournament.

If you’re in a game, you’re in it to win it, no matter what you may think from the cheap (I mean expensive) T-Mobile Arena seats. So don’t give me that bull about playing partial-speed, and then returning to full-bore after Selection Sunday.

This isn’t a football bowl game, where players opt out for fear of an injury ruining pro careers they think they have. This is basketball, where everyone – one through eight or nine on the roster – is important.

It’s a pride thing, and as Otzelberger told reporters after Saturday’s win at Kansas State:

"I think of pride on the front of the jersey, but there’s pride on the back of the jersey as well. Playing for their name, their family, the work that they put in. That’s important, as well.”

>> West Virginia has the most to gain?

Darian DeVries has done a wonderful job in his first season at West Virginia, since leaving Drake. His Mountaineers could be clinging to one of the last at-large spots, and if that’s the case, then beating either TCU or Colorado in Wednesday’s second round is important.

DeVries has his 19-12 team on the NCAA Tournament threshold, despite his star son, Tucker, missing most of the season with injury.

>> Keep an eye on Kansas

That’s right. The team once thought to be just mediocre is playing good ball again. Bill Self’s on-again, off-again 20-11 team finished the regular season Saturday with an impressive 83-76 victory against Arizona, in which Hunter Dickinson scored 33 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.

They’re the No. 6 seed in the Big 12, and regardless of your eye test, don’t count them out of a spot in the conference tournament’s championship game.
>> A championship game prediction surprise

Houston from the top bracket and, don’t @me, but Kansas from the other side.

Yeah, that’s right.

If the Jayhawks play like they played Saturday, they can beat anyone in the Big 12.

(Award-winning columnist Randy Peterson can be, and has been, reached at randypete4846@gmail.com or at any Okoboji-area beverage/food establishment between the hours of open and close.)