We’ve returned from Stillwater in full health, having survived the mushy weather and the other drivers. And what a freakin game we got to see for our efforts. We were rewarded with front row seats right behind the Texas bench, and saw the best regular-season college basketball game I’ve ever witnessed. But for now, let’s do a quick hit as we run through the Big 12 and I run out the door for another shift of making the money. As always, tip times are Central.

Nebraska (11-4 overall, 0-1 Big 12) at Oklahoma (9-6, 1-2), 7 PM
The Cornhuskers play their first game in a week after having their home date with OSU postponed this weekend. Oklahoma plays its second without the suspended Longar Longar Longar Longar Longar. In other news, Norman still sucks.
The pick: The Sooners bounce back from the trouncing delivered by the Horns this weekend and protect their home court.

Baylor (11-5, 1-2) at Kansas State (11-6, 1-2), 7 PM
K-State has not looked very good without injured star Bill Walker, but managed to take a road win in Columbia, Missouri last weekend. Meanwhile, Baylor knocked off Texas Tech at home for their first conference win. The crowd shouldn’t be a huge factor in this one, which should stay close throughout.
The pick: On the surface it’s a toss-up, but the loss of Walker is huge for the ‘Cats. I’ll give Baylor the tough road win in a chilly Manhattan.

Iowa State (11-6, 2-1) at Colorado (4-9, 0-3), 8 PM
The Cyclones hung with a great Kansas squad this weekend, finally falling short in overtime of their upset bid. Colorado also threatened their own upset, hanging with A&M for 35 minutes before the Aggies delivered the proverbial steel-toed facekick. The Buffs get to stay at home tonight as they search for their first conference win. Don’t hold your breath.
The pick: Dear Iowa State, I’m sorry for ever doubting you. Please forgive me, and don’t beat Colorado too badly. Love, Ryan.

A wrap on the OU game and a preview of the Okie Lite game will be coming late, late tonight when I return from work. For now, a quick look at the Big 12 game tonight.

Missouri (11-5 overall, 0-3 Big 12) at Kansas (15-2, 2-0), 8 PM on ESPN
Mike Anderson’s Tigers dropped a close one at home to the K-State Wildcats this weekend, while the Jayhawks needed overtime to discard Iowa State’s upset hopes. The Cyclones forced sixteen Kansas turnovers, including seven alone by Brandon Rush. Missouri is known for its pressure defense, so that may be their only hope in this one. Matt Lawrence also needs to snap out of the 1-for-6 three-point slump he’s been in over his last two games.
The pick: The Jayhawks’ immense talent and deep bench hold off a pesky Mizzou team for the first half, but pull away in the second.

This Saturday marks the first day that the entire league is playing, so let’s take a look around the conference before things get tipped off. As always, games are listed in Central time.

Kansas (14-2 overall, 1-0 Big 12) at Iowa State (11-5, 2-0), 1 PM on ESPN
The two games I’ve predicted incorrectly have both been Cyclone victories, but I don’t think they stand much of a chance at home in this one. The Jayhawks are firing on all cylinders, as displayed in an absolute beatdown of Oklahoma State on Wednesday night. Don’t expect this one to be a miracle upset.
The pick: Iowa State’s perfect conference season only lasts a week. Kansas thumps them soundly.

Oklahoma (9-5, 1-1) at Texas (12-3, 2-0), 2:30 PM on ABC
My OU-Texas breakdown can be found in the preceding post.
The pick: Texas wins going away, while somewhere in Indiana….Kelvin Sampson flings a denim sports coat in disgust.

Kansas State (10-6, 0-2) at Missouri (11-4, 0-2), 3 PM
Both teams have failed to live up to expectations early in Big 12 play. Mizzou desperately needs a win with Kansas looming next on their schedule. An 0-4 start could be absolutely deadly for Mike Anderson and the Tigers.
The pick: Stefhon Hannah and Mizzou right the ship on their home court…just in time to get pounded by the Jayhawks.

Texas Tech (13-4, 2-0) at Baylor (10-5, 0-2), 3 PM
Baylor played both Oklahoma State and Texas A&M tough, while Texas Tech comes in as winners in seven of their last eight. Everybody knows that Aaron Bruce can play, but not many people know of Baylor freshman Tweety Carter. The man’s name is Tweety for Christ’s sake! Where’s the media attention?!?
The pick: My “upset” special of the week — Baylor pulls off their first conference win in front of a lackluster crowd more interested in the free pizza giveaway.

Texas A&M (14-2, 2-0) at Colorado (4-8, 0-2), 6 PM
Billy Gillispie takes his defensive-minded Aggies on the road to Boulder for a high-altitude meeting with scoring machine Richard Roby. Unfortunately for the Buffs, there’s not much more going on for them offensively. This could be quite the snooze-fest in front of less than 3,000 bored Colorad….ians?
The pick: Texas A&M wins with a score good enough for the PGA tour.

Oklahoma State (15-2, 1-1) at Nebraska (11-4, 0-1), 7 PM
This has the potential to be a letdown game for the Cowpokes after getting manhandled by KU just a few nights ago. Then again, they are playing a middle-of-the-road Nebraska team in a state where basketball gets the apathetic treatment. Mario Boggan is looking to get back on track after scoring eight points in that Kansas game, and he shouldn’t have a problem doing so in Lincoln. Of course, the game is a question mark at this point, as Oklahoma State is having issues getting out of Stillwater and the game has already been pushed back six hours already.
The pick: Oklahoma State gets back on track with a win….if they actually play.

Conference play is in full swing around the country, which means that the Big 12 has a nice lineup of four games tonight. Once again I’ll bring you a rundown of the games going on around the league. This one comes to you from my tailgate chair outside the Erwin Center, so you know it’s extra-special. Like the little bus I rode to elementary school.

(All listed tips are in Central time.)

Nebraska (11-3 overall, 0-0 Big 12) at Iowa State (10-5, 1-0), 7 PM
Iowa State is coming off of an amazing comeback victory on the road in Columbia, Missouri. Nebraska has won four in a row, including a road win over Frank Haith’s Miami Hurricanes. Other than that, I know nothing about either team. Helpful writeup, eh?
The pick: I’m going with Nebraska, based solely on their win over Creighton. I might as well flip a coin.

Colorado (4-7, 0-1) at Oklahoma (8-5, 0-1), 7 PM
It’s Richard Roby vs. the Sooners in this one. Jeff Capel is doing good things with a tough situation following the departure of Kelvin Sampson in Cingulargate. Rumor has it that all CU players will be wearing full body armor to avoid the flailing elbows of Longar Longar.
The pick: OU evens their conference record with a home win over the scuttling Buffs .

Missouri (11-3, 0-1) at Texas (11-3, 1-0), 7 PM
My game preview can be seen in the previous post.
The pick: Texas handles the pressure and earns another home win.

Oklahoma State (15-1, 1-0) at Kansas (13-2, 0-0), 8 PM on ESPN2
This is the marquee game of the night, not only in the Big 12, but in the entire NCAA. Kansas gets the first of its three home games with the best of the Big 12 “South.” Is Oklahoma State for real? As tough as it is to play in Allen Fieldhouse, it might not even matter. Hopefully this game lives up to the billing and the hype.
The pick: Kansas takes a close game in the final minutes and Darrell Arthur rips off his face post-game to reveal he is actually Satan.

Conference games kick off today for the Big 12 Conference, which means we no longer have to judge the race based on common games against St. Mary’s State Technical College University. Here’s a brief rundown of the games headed your way. (All times are central.)

Oklahoma (8-4) at Texas Tech (11-4), 12:30 PM
This game is the most compelling in today’s B12 slate, although in the grand scheme of things it really just amounts to which of the “south division” teams is fourth-best. I haven’t had a chance to see either team yet this year, but neither has been especially spectacular. Tech has been playing better lately, though, winning against both Arkansas and a scrappy Bucknell team.
The pick: Tech wins by single digits

Iowa State (9-5) at Missouri (11-2), 5 PM
Mizzou should win this one going away, especially in front of their hardcore fans. Sophomore Matt Lawrence is my favorite Tiger to watch. He’s an absolute three-point machine, as he’s hit 54% of his trey attempts. No word yet on if he could nail a 30-footer over Kevin Durant for a lead with 11 seconds left.
The pick: Missouri cruises

Baylor (10-3) at Oklahoma State (14-1), 5 PM
Poor, poor Baylor. They get to play a non-conference schedule after last year’s ridiculous sanction and get to open their Big 12 sked with the hottest team in the conference. Oy vey. Sure, the Bears have a great record heading into it, but they’ve been beaten by the three real teams they’ve played and earned the wins against a schedule that even Dennis Franchione would call soft.
The pick: Scott Drew’s eyes go glassy by halftime. OSU rolls

Nebraska plays an out-of-conference game today with Western Kentucky. Kansas is idle today, but faces a good road test in South Carolina against the Gamecocks tomorrow.

As for today’s Colorado-Texas tilt…
The pick: Texas makes it closer than it should be, but starts conference play with a win