Pep rallies, Shaq & Fat Joe: Your fan guide for Big 12 tournament weekend in Kansas City

Joseph Hernandez
The Kansas City Star

The Big 12 men’s and women’s tournaments come through Kansas City next week, and fans from all 10 schools in the conference have much to look forward to beyond the action on the court.

The athletic conference announced a variety of entertainment and unique experiences to accompany both tournaments during the weekend.

“As we continue to elevate the Big 12 brand, we are thrilled to introduce a series of enhancements that will make the fan experience at our basketball championships second to none,” Big 12 conference commissioner Brett Yormark said in a statement. “The Big 12 Conference is a basketball powerhouse – as we thread the fabric connecting sports and culture, the Conference will continue to offer an array of off-court entertainment features, as well.”

WHO’S PERFORMING?

Local and national artists will be performing at the KC Live! Block, as well as inside the T-Mobile Center and Municipal Auditorium.

Hip-hop icon Fat Joe will perform a VIP-only set after the games end on March 10. He was last in Kansas City for the halftime show of the AFC Championship game between the Chiefs and the Cincinnati Bengals.

The basketball and music worlds collide when Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal performs a DJ set at Mosaic on March 11. Under the alias DJ Diesel, the show will start after Saturday’s games conclude, which is expected to be at around 10 p.m.

Grammy Award-nominated artist Jordin Sparks is performing the national anthem before the men’s championship game on Saturday, and country singer Lanie Gardner will sing the anthem before the women’s championship game on Sunday.

WHAT CAN I EAT?

Fans visiting downtown Kansas City will have plenty of options to choose from, including Johnny’s Tavern, McFadden’s and Pizza Bar in the KC Live! Block.

Beyond those, the Big 12 and Levy Restaurants have created a special menu for the T-Mobile Center.

The menu includes:

  • The Baylor Float: vanilla ice cream and Dr. Pepper

  • Cyclones Tenderloin: kaiser bun, breaded pork tenderloin, sliced onion, sweet and spicy pickles

  • Jayhawks Mac & Cheese: pasta and creamy white cheese sauce, topped with house-smoked pulled pork, Levy signature barbecue sauce and crispy fried onions

  • K-State’s Wabash Cannondog: bacon-wrapped jumbo hot dog topped with Wildcat Purple relish

  • Stormin’ from Norman Oklahoma Taco: Frybread topped with ground beef, shredded lettuce, chopped tomato, beans, onion, and chili

  • Pistol Pete’s OSU Fried Corn: Elote-style bacon-fried corn topped with crushed Doritos

  • TCU Loaded Tots: tater tots, spicy queso sauce, chopped house smoked brisket, pico de gallo, topped with Horned Frog Purple sour cream

  • Longhorn Quesadilla: Triple cheese quesadilla — steak or chicken — with Burnt Orange salsa rojo sauce

  • Tech’s Masked Rider Burger: all beef patty, cheddar, fried onion ring, sweet pickled jalapenos and Red Raiders BBQ sauce

  • West Virginia Mountaineer Roll: Sliced pepperoni and mozzarella cheese in a soft roll

The Conference also introduces the Championship Club at the men’s tournament, a food and beverage experience for the 200-plus courtside ticket holders.

This experience won’t be available at the women’s tournament this year, but it will in 2024 when they also play the T-Mobile Center.

WHAT ELSE IS THERE TO DO?

Grand Boulevard outside the T-Mobile Center and the Barney Allis Plaza near Municipal Auditorium hosts fan events each tournament day. You can win prizes by participating in basketball challenges and join in on your team’s official pep rally.

Men’s tournament festival times:

  • Wednesday, March 8: 3 to 7 p.m.

  • Thursday, March 9:10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

  • Friday, March 10:3 to 7 p.m.

  • Saturday, March 11: 1 to 5 p.m.

Women’s tournament fan festival times:

  • Thursday, March 9: 4 to 7 p.m.

  • Friday, March 10: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

  • Saturday, March 11: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

  • Sunday, March 12: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The KC Live! Block will also be open for more opportunities to win prizes and watch the games on the big screen.

WHERE CAN I GET TICKETS?

The men’s tournament takes place at the T-Mobile Center. You can get your tickets on the T-Mobile Center’s website or Big 12’s website.

The women’s tournament takes place at Municipal Auditorium. You can get your tickets on Ticketmaster or Big 12’s website. You can also buy tickets at the Municipal Auditorium’s box office.

This is the last year the women’s tournament will be played at Municipal Auditorium. The tournament will move to the T-Mobile Center starting in 2024.

The seedings aren’t determined for either the men’s or women’s conferences yet, but here’s the schedule for both tournaments:

Men’s tournament

Wednesday, March 8:

  • No. 8 seed vs. No. 9 seed, 6 p.m.

  • No. 7 seed vs. No. 10 seed, 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 9:

  • No. 4 seed vs. No. 5 seed, 11:30 a.m.

  • No. 1 seed vs. No. 8/9 seed winner: 2 p.m.

  • No. 2 seed vs. No. 7/10 seed winner: 6 p.m.

  • No. 3 seed vs. No. 6 seed: 8 p.m.

Friday, March 10

  • Semifinal 1: 6 p.m.

  • Semifinal 2: 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 11

  • Championship, 5 p.m.

Women’s tournament

Thursday, March 9

  • No. 8 seed vs. No. 9 seed: 5 p.m.

  • No. 7 seed vs. No. 10 Seed: 7:30 p.m.

Friday, March 10

  • No. 4 seed vs. No. 5 Seed: 11 a.m

  • No. 1 seed vs. No.8/9 seed winner: 1:30 p.m.

  • No. 2 Seed vs. No. 7/10 seed winner: 5 p.m.

  • No. 3 Seed vs. No. 6 Seed: 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 11

  • Semifinal 1: Noon

  • Semifinal 2: 2:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 12

  • Championship game: 1 p.m.

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