SEC/Big 12 Challenge (Poll)

[cycophagus]

Big 12 Men's BB gets a day off from the conference season this Saturday with a slate of 10 games versus opponents from the Southeast Conference Conference. Iowa State starts it off with a brunch date at Ole Miss, and Kansas caps it off with a 6 pm tip-off at Kentucky. The SEC got the best of us last year. Will the Big 12 return the favor this year?

Press releases:

• Pairings Announced for 2019 SEC/Big 12 Challenge
• 2019 SEC/Big 12 Challenge TV schedule set

2019 SEC/Big 12 Challenge - January 26, 2019 (All Times Eastern):

• 12:00 p.m. - Florida at TCU (ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU)
• 12:00 p.m. - Alabama at Baylor (ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU)
• 12:00 p.m. - Iowa State at Ole Miss (ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU)
• 2:00 p.m. - Kansas State at Texas A&M (ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU)
• 2:00 p.m. - Texas at Georgia (ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU)
• 2:00 p.m. - South Carolina at Oklahoma State (ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNU)
• 4:00 p.m. - Vanderbilt at Oklahoma (ESPN/ESPN2)
• 4:00 p.m. - West Virginia at Tennessee (ESPN/ESPN2)
• 6:00 p.m. - Kansas at Kentucky (ESPN/ESPN2)
• 6:00 p.m. - Arkansas at Texas Tech (ESPN/ESPN2)

 

[dahliaclone]

I am frightened to see what the score will be in the Tennessee/WVU game.

 

[awd4cy]

I think TCU, Tech, Texas and OU are the winners this weekend.

Edit: totally forgot about KSU. They will win easily at A&M so I guess 5-5 sounds about right.

 

[awd4cy]

I am frightened to see what the score will be in the Tennessee/WVU game.

I’ll guess 98-60

 

[cyclones500]

I chose BU, KSU, OU and Tech. Only one of those that's road team is KSU.

 

[Shawker]

I am frightened to see what the score will be in the Tennessee/WVU game.

How far in advance are these matchups scheduled? Usually you don't end up with matchups this lopsided in these conference vs conference tournaments.

 

[awd4cy]

How far in advance are these matchups scheduled? Usually you don't end up with matchups this lopsided in these conference vs conference tournaments.

Probably was decided late last spring. It’s not really surprising since going into this year most thought WVU would be around 4th in the Big 12 instead of 10th.

 

[cyclones500]

Probably was decided late last spring. It’s not really surprising since going into this year most thought WVU would be around 4th in the Big 12 instead of 10th.

It definitely can put the "challenge" in a Challenge. Pairings have to be determined months in advance, and educated guesses for relative strength plus viewer attraction. If it was arranged last spring, organizers probably didn't foresee Iowa State at Ole Miss would involve two top 25 teams.

 

[mj4cy]

So not excited for this even though I'm sure I'll get into it. The Big 12 season has started to get rolling and it's like we have to pause the main dinner to go back to an appetizer.

 

[jay moe]

So not excited for this even though I'm sure I'll get into it. The Big 12 season has started to get rolling and it's like we have to pause the main dinner to go back to an appetizer.

Agree 100%, this should take place in December.

 

[brokenloginagain]

the matchups are a good example of the unpredictability of college hoops.

if we could re-order today about 8 of the 10 games would change.

 

[surly]

ISU should handle Ole Miss. They got boat-raced by Bama last night. Lots of hype surrounding the Rebs. But that only takes you so far. With that, I have the B12 winning 6-4.

 

[awd4cy]

ISU should handle Ole Miss. They got boat-raced by Bama last night. Lots of hype surrounding the Rebs. But that only takes you so far. With that, I have the B12 winning 6-4.

Ole Miss is much different animal at home. It will be close either way.

 

[cycophagus]

the matchups are a good example of the unpredictability of college hoops.

if we could re-order today about 8 of the 10 games would change.

ISU is a good example in that last year was a re-building year. I also see that 3 of the 6 rated SEC teams, as of last week, are not included in the matchups. The 4th excluded team is Missouri, which is disappointing. In their case, I wonder if they have just begged out?

 

[Cyclonepride]

ESPN talking heads just split on this game. The guy picking ISU mentioned that Ole Miss struggles with turnovers, even at home. Hope we amp up the defensive pressure and get in the passing lanes, because if we do that, the offense will take care of itself.

 

[cyclones500]

If we could re-order today about 8 of the 10 games would change.

Maybe something like this:
Kansas vs. Kentucky (wouldn’t change, probably a given)
Kansas State vs. Tennessee
Iowa State vs. … Ole Miss!
Texas Tech vs. Alabama
Baylor vs. South Carolina
TCU vs. Georgia
Oklahoma vs. Arkansas
Texas vs. Florida (UT getting best ‘name’ still available)
West Virginia vs. Vanderbilt
Oklahoma State vs. Texas A&M

 

[Cyclonepride]

Maybe something like this:
Kansas vs. Kentucky (wouldn’t change, probably a given)
Kansas State vs. Tennessee
Iowa State vs. … Ole Miss!
Texas Tech vs. Alabama
Baylor vs. South Carolina
TCU vs. Georgia
Oklahoma vs. Arkansas
Texas vs. Florida (UT getting best ‘name’ still available)
West Virginia vs. Vanderbilt
Oklahoma State vs. Texas A&M

I like your top 6, though I'm not sure Arkansas is the best of the bottom 4. Probably better than A&M (woof), but I'm not sure about the other two.

 

[xboxfever]

Why is ISU always on the road in this “challenge?”

 

[IASTATE07]

Why is ISU always on the road in this “challenge?”

We just played at home last year.

 

[alarson]

Why is ISU always on the road in this “challenge?”

We've had arkansas and tennessee here i believe.