Houston has quickly established itself as the kings of the Big 12 with back-to-back outright regular season titles in its two seasons since joining the conference from the AAC. But there is still one bit of league supremacy the Cougars have yet to claim. A year ago, they lost to Iowa State in the Big 12 Tournament Championship Game.

Iowa State is led by Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year Curtis Jones, who averages 17 points per game. The Cyclones are expected to have Third Team All-Big 12 guard Keshon Gilbert back from injury. Jones had 22 points in the last meeting, while UC was led by Jizzle James with 25 points and five 3-pointers.

"To me it's always a one-game tournament," UC coach Wes Miller said in his post-Oklahoma State remarks. "We have a couple assistants and a video guy working hard on the next game."

The Oklahoma State Cowboys play in the Big 12 Tournament against the Cincinnati Bearcats. The teams meet Tuesday for the second time this season.