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Sports | May 25, 2009

Big 12/Pac-10 Challenge Games Announced

Rich Zvosec's photo
National Big 12 College Basketball Examiner

The match ups for the third annual Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Challenge have been announced. For my money this is the best series between all of the BCS Conferences. With all due respect to the Big 10-ACC showdown, those games have been pretty inconsequential. Since the ACC expanded and the Big 10 has only a couple of national caliber teams their games really mean nothing.

On the other hand a match up between Arizona and Oklahoma will have significant implications down the road. This past season a win by Kansas State vs. Oregon would have given them a NCAA tourney bid. This year the Wildcats will take on Washington State with a chance to improve their non-conference resume.

A loss at Arizona by Kansas was significant for both teams. It helped the Jayhawks grow up and propel them to another Big 12 crown, while Arizona’s win helped them secure an NCAA bid.

The match ups are as follows:

Nebraska at USC -- November 29
            The Trojans have more talent, but don’t count out crafty Doc Sadler and his team of overachievers.

Washington at Texas Tech – December 3
            Pat Knight’s Raiders can make hay with a win.

Baylor at Arizona State
            A chance for a young Bears team to test itself.
 
Colorado at Oregon State -- December 4
            The Buffs Princeton Offense will take on a former Princeton assistant.
 
Oregon at Missouri – December 5
            The fastest 40 minutes of basketball will have the Ducks quacking “no mas.”

Iowa State at California
            Craig Brackins goes home and get on the national stage.
Washington State at Kansas State
            Must win for the Wildcats and their depth will prove too much.
 
Kansas at UCLA -- December 6
            Two blue bloods. The preseason #1 ranked team in the country gets a chance to send a message.
Arizona at Oklahoma
            The Sooners without Griffin will still be a load. Willie Warren will show why he is one of the best guards in the country.
 
Oklahoma State at Stanford – December 16
            Plenty of new faces for the Cowboys, but more depth and the speed will continue.
 
Texas A & M at Washington -- December 22
            The Aggies built their resume with wins over Stanford, Alabama and LSU last year. Look for them to do it again at the Huskies expense.
 
Last year the two leagues split (6-6) while two years ago the Big 12 held a 10-7 edge.
Great matchups in front of packed houses make for great games. Or as John Madden said, “When great players play greatly you have a great game.”

FOR MORE INFO:  GO TO WWW.BIG12SPORTS.COM

 

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National Big 12 College Basketball Examiner

A former college basketball coach, "Coach Z" won coach of the year honors first at St. Francis (NY) and then at Missouri-Kansas City. The latter...

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