The Big 12 Tournament continues today with four quarterfinal games and just one bubble team remaining -- Colorado, who finished strong to close out Iowa State yesterday. Both Nebraska and Baylor are officially out of contention for the NCAA Tournament.
Game 5: (1) Kansas vs (9) Oklahoma State | 11:30 a.m. | ESPN2
The Jayhawks dominated the Cowboys in Lawrence three weeks ago and there's little reason to suggest they won't do the same here. The Pokes will need to hit some outside shots early to keep this thing from getting ugly quickly.
Game 6: (4) Kansas State vs (5) Colorado | 2:00 p.m. | Big 12 Network
The Buffaloes remain on the right side of the Tourney bubble for now... but a win this afternoon would make for a much more comfortable Selection Sunday. Alongside the win over Texas, Colorado's two best wins of the year are over Kansas State, including the Wildcats only loss during their final nine games. Make it three straight and they're a lock for a bid.
Game 7: (2) Texas vs (10) Oklahoma | 6:00 p.m. | Big 12 Network
Texas wasn't challenged by Oklahoma in either of the teams two match ups, but the Sooners have steadily improved over the course of the year and as they showed last night in blowing out Baylor, when they're hitting outside shots they're a pretty capable team. For the Longhorns, then, it's all about repeating the defensive excellence that got them to 11-0 in conference play. The offense doesn't have to be great if they can lock down the opponents as they did for much of the year.
Game 8: (3) Texas A&M vs (6) Missouri | 8:30 p.m. | ESPN2
The Aggies overtime win over Missouri at Reed Arena was one of the conference's best games this year, but if they're to repeat that result they'll need to do just as well in getting to the foul line. Texas A&M only has one player who can consistently create his own looks in the half court (Middleton), and if they're not scoring points in transition, they'll need to pick up points from the stripe.
For more on the Big 12 Tournament, be sure to follow along at Big12Hoops.com.