Oklahoma State vs. UT Rio Grande Valley

Friday, December 22nd 12:00 PM CT, FSOK

Oklahoma State (9-2) has had a great week of basketball. They beat then undefeated Florida State by 1 point and beat instate foe Tulsa by 12. They now turn their attention to their final tune up game before Big 12 play, UT Rio Grande Valley (6-7). UTRGV doesn’t have any strong wins to note. Oklahoma State should pick up another win and momentum before their Big 12 opener against West Virginia.

80-56 Oklahoma State.

#21 Texas Tech vs. Abilene Christian

Friday, December 22nd 2:00 PM CT, FSSW+

One of the many interesting teams to follow in the Big 12 this year, #21 Texas Tech (10-1) has put together a good non-conference performance, with two top 25 wins and their sole loss at the hands of Seton Hall. Abilene Christian (8-4) is a decent midmajor team, with no outstanding wins to note but no glaring losses. This should provide a good final tune up for the Red Raiders before conference play starts with a game against Baylor.

86-70 Texas Tech.

#17 Oklahoma vs. Northwestern

Friday, December 22nd 6:00 PM CT, ESPN2

The country is taking note of #17 Oklahoma (9-1) and their incredible freshman talent, Trae Young. The Sooners are still riding a strong team high after beating then #3 Wichita State in Wichita. Northwestern (9-4) has had somewhat of a disappointing non-conference. They were ranked before dropping games to Creighton, Texas Tech, Georgia Tech, and Purdue. All those teams are good to decent, but the Wildcats can’t seem to get a quality win. I don’t think that happens here, with OU looking as good as any team in the country right now.

82-76 Oklahoma.

#15 TCU vs. William & Mary

Friday, December 22nd 8:00 PM CT, Facebook

On the long list of teams to watch in the Big 12 this year, #15 TCU (11-0) are near the top of that list. Partially because of their undefeated non-conference resume so far, but also because of the amazing (and quick) rebuilding job Jamie Dixon has done. While I think this Horned Frogs team has weaknesses that will keep them from a Big 12 title, those shouldn’t be overly apparent against William & Mary (7-3). Like a lot of the teams being played by Big 12 schools this weekend, William & Mary has won the games it should but hasn’t picked up a quality win. TCU won’t be that win for them.

81-69 TCU.

Texas @ Alabama

Friday, December 22nd 8:00 PM CT, ESPN2

This is a very important game for both Texas (8-3) and Alabama (8-3) as they try to define their seasons heading into conference play. Texas has let games against Duke, Gonzaga, and Michigan slip through their fingers. Alabama has let up losses to Minnesota (in what was almost an amazing 3 man comeback), UCF, and Arizona. Alabama is coming off of a 1 point win over Mercer and Texas is coming off a 1 point win over Tennessee State. Both teams seem fairly evenly matched. I’ll give Alabama the edge with home court advantage.

77-76 Alabama.

#10 West Virginia vs. Fordham

Saturday, December 23rd 11:00 AM CT, AT&T Sportsnet

Press Virginia is back and as strong as ever behind point guard Jevon Carter. #10 West Virginia (10-1) hasn’t lost a game since their opener, a loss to Texas A&M. They boast wins over UCF, Missouri, Pitt, and Virginia. Fordham (4-6) has had a disappointing season thus far, dropping a lot of games to relatively weak competition. The Mountaineers will win big in their last game before conference play.

80-59 West Virginia.