Oklahoma vs. #25 USC

Saturday, December 8th 9:30 PM CT, ESPN2

The first of two Big 12 teams playing in the Basketball Hall of Fame Classic features Oklahoma (6-1) taking on #25 USC (4-2). Many are still high on USC this season even after blowout losses to SMU and Texas A&M (both good teams). Oklahoma is receiving votes in the most recent AP poll and a win over a good USC squad would certainly help their case. Travel fatigue could be more of a worry for the Sooners than the Trojans but I expect Oklahoma to be able to grab an upset against a beat down USC.

72-68 Sooners.

#20 TCU vs. #22 Nevada

Saturday, December 8th 10:59 PM CT, ESPNU

This is the second game of the Basketball Hall of Fame Classic featuring a Big 12 team with #20 TCU (9-0) taking on #22 Nevada (8-1). TCU is coming off of a solid win against a good SMU team, while Nevada is trying to bounce back from a close loss to Texas Tech. While I think TCU has some flaws that will get expose throughout conference play, they seem like the better team in this matchup and will probably win a close one.

66-62 TCU.

Oklahoma State vs. #6 Wichita State

Saturday, December 9th 3:00 PM CT, ESPN2

#6 Wichita State (7-1) enters its second game against a Big 12 team as it faces off against Oklahoma State (7-1). As Baylor fans saw last Saturday, Wichita State is a really solid team with a lot of deep shooting threats. I don’t expect Oklahoma State’s defense will be able to do much to slow down that production. I also don’t think the Cowboys can score enough to win in a shootout.

77-68 Wichita State.

#23 Baylor vs. Randall University

Saturday, December 9th 6:00 PM CT, TBA

#23 Baylor (6-2) takes on Randall University (4-8). This game should be an absolute blow out for Baylor, who will be playing at Fort Hood. While Randall University was the 2016 NCCAA national champions (yes, there is an extra C, that isn’t a typo), they just don’t have any of the firepower to keep up with an elite NCAA D1 basketball team.

102-46 Bears.

#18 West Virginia @ Pittsburgh

Saturday, December 9th 7:00 PM CT, ESPN2

#18 West Virginia (8-1) seems to have righted the ship after an early season loss to Texas A&M. The press is back in full force and should prove problematic for rival Pitt (5-4). Pitt has looked pretty weak this year, with no good wins and some bad losses. Pitt is going to have to hear it from West Virginia fans for a while after this one.

77-60 West Virginia.

Kansas State vs. Tulsa

Saturday, December 9th 7:00 PM CT, ESPN3

Kansas State (8-1) is set to take on a struggling Tulsa (4-4). Tulsa has already lost to Lamar, Illinois State twice, and Iowa State. I think the Wildcats are probably better than the Cyclones this year, so I don’t expect anything other than a KState win.

82-74 Wildcats.

#2 Kansas vs. #16 Arizona State

Saturday, December 10th 1:00 PM CT, ESPN

#2 Kansas (7-1) is trying to bounce back from its first loss at the hands of Washington and takes on a good #16 Arizona State (7-0). This game is critical for the Big 12 and Kansas needs to win. If Kansas were to go 0-2 against Pac 12 teams that would hurt perceptions of the Big 12 significantly, possibly costing the conference tournament spots. Nevertheless, Kansas is still heavily favored in this game, especially since it is in Lawrence. I doubt the Jayhawks will drop two games in a row.

77-72 Kansas.

Iowa State vs. Alcorn State

Saturday, December 10th 5:00 PM CT, Cyclones.tv

Iowa State (6-2) is feeling hot after a good win against instate rival Iowa on Thursday. Iowa State has yet to lose since throwing Cameron Lard into the lineup. They take on Alcorn State (2-7) who, I’ll just be blunt, isn’t very good. The Bears already beat them pretty handily this season and I expect the Cyclones to do the same.

78-58 Iowa State.