WEIRD: Big 12 Fans Rooting AGAINST Arizona In March Madness, Final Four Have It ALL Wrong

The Locked On Big 12 podcast episode explores the historic moment of Arizona reaching the Final Four for the first time in 25 years, representing the Big 12 Conference in a way that has sparked both celebration and debate. Hosts Drake Tull, Cam Stewart, Mountain Deer Paul, Chris Level, Cody Stovall, and guest Leif Tulane analyze Arizona’s journey, emphasizing their dominance through elite defense, rebounding, and depth—qualities they attribute to the competitive nature of the Big 12. The discussion dives into the irony of Arizona, a former Pac-12 school, now being embraced as a true Big 12 torchbearer, with many arguing the conference’s tough environment elevated the program under coach Tommy Lloyd. The panel also critiques the Big 12’s inconsistent branding and marketing, particularly around high-profile events like the glass court in Kansas City and the scheduling of Friday night football games—especially the Houston vs. Texas Tech clash—which they argue undermines traditional Saturday football culture in Texas. Despite these frustrations, the hosts agree that Arizona’s success is a validation of the Big 12’s basketball identity and a moment of pride for the league. Key takeaways include: Arizona’s success is a direct result of the Big 12’s defensive culture and competitive pressure; the conference’s branding and scheduling decisions are undermining fan engagement; the Final Four appearance is a historic milestone for Arizona and a validation of the Big 12’s basketball strength; and the league must do more to promote its flagship teams like Arizona. The episode balances admiration for Arizona’s achievements with constructive criticism of the Big 12’s leadership and marketing strategy.