COLLEGE BASKETBALL REPORT
NCAA Hoops: Texas, Oklahoma, and Baylor need to show out in Big XII Tournament
Mar 6, 2018, 12:00 pm
The Big XII tournament kicks off tomorrow with several teams in need of wins to have a shot to play in the NCAA tournament. Here are a few things to know going into the conference championship.
SCHEDULE:
Wednesday, March 7th
GAME 1: No. 8 Oklahoma State vs. Oklahoma (ESPNU) 6 PM
GAME 2: No. 7 Texas vs. No. 10 Iowa State (ESPNU) 8 PM
Thursday, March 8th
GAME 3: No. 4 Kansas State vs. No. 5 TCU (ESPN2) 11:30 AM
GAME 4: No. 1 Kansas vs. Game 1 winner (ESPN2) 1:30 PM
GAME 5: No. 2 Texas Tech vs. Game 2 winner (ESPN2) 6 PM
GAME 6: No. 3 West Virginia vs. No. 6 Baylor (ESPN2) 8 PM
Friday, March 9th
GAME 7: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner (ESPN 2) 6 PM
GAME 8: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner (ESPN2) 8 PM
Saturday March 10th
GAME 9-Championship Game: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner (ESPN) 5 PM
ODDS:
Kansas +200
West Virginia +350
Texas Tech +450
Kansas State +700
TCU +1000
Baylor +1200
Texas +2000
Oklahoma +2000
Oklahoma State +2000
Iowa State +2500
THE STAKES:
Kansas, West Virginia, Texas Tech, Kansas State and TCU are all solidly locked into tournament spots. Iowa State can’t make the tournament without winning the conference tourney. That leaves Baylor, Texas and the Oklahoma schools as bubble teams. With Oklahoma and Oklahoma State going up against each other in the first game, one of them could be eliminated early on. For Oklahoma, a first round win may be enough to lock in their spot. Oklahoma State would likely need a win over Kansas to get an at-large bid. Texas absolutely has to beat Iowa State, and would need a good showing against Texas Tech on Thursday to have a shot. This isn’t out of the question, given that Keenan Evans is clearly not at 100% health. Baylor could get onto the right side of the bubble with a win over West Virginia. Overall, the conference should send a minimum of 6 teams to the dance, with 8 teams being the ceiling.
PREDICTIONS:
Oklahoma State def. Oklahoma
Texas def. Iowa State
TCU def. Kansas State
Kansas def. Oklahoma State
Texas Tech def. Texas
Baylor def. West Virginia
Kansas def. TCU
Baylor def. Texas Tech
Kansas def. Baylor
The Houston Astros sent a message loud and clear with one of their most emphatic wins of the season, an 18-1 demolition of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and they did it without Yordan Alvarez or Jeremy Peña in the lineup.
Jose Altuve silenced the Dodger Stadium boos with a pair of home runs and even stayed after the game to sign autographs for young fans. Lance McCullers Jr. delivered six strong innings in a bounce-back outing, and the offense erupted behind big nights from Zach Short, Cam Smith, Yainer Díaz, and Christian Walker.
With key contributions across the board, this was a total team win, one that highlights the depth, momentum, and legitimacy of this Astros squad as the second half approaches. Manager Joe Espada is pressing all the right buttons, and with All-Star nods for Josh Hader, Hunter Brown, and Peña, Houston looks like a team no one wants to face right now.
Don't miss the video below as ESPN Houston's John Granato and Lance Zierlein react to the big series in LA, and much more!
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*ChatGPT assisted.
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