Buhk's Picks To Click (Version 1.26)

With no disrespect to the Kansas City Royals and their pregame segment of the same name, I would like to introduce this new feature to the blog.

I'll try to make this a twice weekly feature (Wednesday and Saturday) profiling the days Big XII Conference basketball games and how I think they'll shake out. Keep in mind, that I in no way condone gambling or using any of the information in this segment to do so. OK, now that I've got that out of the way, let's take a quick tour of the Big XII:

Nebraska at Kansas (12:45 Central Time)
Line: Kansas -22

It should come as no surprise that the Jayhawks are heavily favored in this one. Afterall, a few short weeks ago the Jayhawks took thier show on the road and beat the Huskers 79-58 at the Devaney Center. I expect this game to be no different with one exception. Look for Bill Self to pull his starters earlier than usual if the Jayhawks have a large lead at the end of the game, looking forward to the big showdown on Wednesday night at rival Kansas State.

Prediction: Kansas by 18

Texas A&M at Oklahoma State (1:00 Central Time)
Line: Texas A&M -1

I've been a big proponent of Oklahoma State being highly overlooked in the Conference. Their 1-3 Conference record notwithstanding, this is still a Cowboy squad with lots of firepower, and one that historically plays well at Gallagher Iba Arena. Texas A&M has been beaten down, losing their last three contests, with two of them coming on the road. Included in that stretch was a 5OT home loss on Wednesday to the Baylor Bears, that took a mental and physical toll on Mark Turgeon's Aggies. With the team's record going downhill, and turmoil behind closed doors, expect this to be the last game this season that the Aggies play as a ranked team.

Predction: Oklahoma State by 6

Missouri at Colorado (2:00 Central Time)
Line: Missouri -7

A tale of two teams with a very Jekyll & Hide tendency to them. The Buffaloes are coming off a week in which they took #12 Texas to the wire in Austin and then got drilled at home by Kansas State. Missouri is coming off consecutive losses as well, at home to Kansas and then on the road in Lubbock. This is a tough game to call, trying to figure out which version of both teams will show up. I expect a close game, as Missouri's defense is pathetic and Colorado has some firepower at the guard spot.

Prediction: Missouri by 2

Oklahoma at Baylor (3:00 Central Time)
Line: Baylor -5.5

Baylor is a team on fire, jumping to a perfect 4-0 Conference record after a thrilling 5OT game in College Station on Wednesday night. In that game, Curtis Jerrells and Aaron Bruce willed the Bears to victory making shots and free throws to extend the game and eventually pull away in the final period. The Sooners finally picked up their first Conference win a week ago when they beat Texas Tech, but they're still battling the loss of Blake Griffin and inconsistent guard play. This could be an upset in the making, but I look for Baylor to pull this one out.

Prediction: Baylor by 10

Iowa State at Kansas State (5:00 Central Time)
Line: Kansas State -12.5

In what some have called the all too common trap game, the Cyclones come to Bramlage Coliseum to take on the upstart Wildcats. Experts claim the Wildcats will be looking ahead to their big home game in 5 days against archrival Kansas. Not so, say the Wildcat players. Still, the Cyclones offer a combination of size and athleticism that has led to a 2-2 Conference record. The Wildcats will look to play the type of defense that carried them to a huge second half against Texas A&M a week ago, and also limited Colorado to 30% shooting in Boulder on Wednesday. You have to believe that Kansas State may have one eye ahead to Kansas, despite what they may say. But still, look for the Wildcats to play well enough to win a big home game and stay atop the Conference standings.

Prediction: Kansas State by 8

Texas Tech at Texas (7:00 Central Time)
Line: Texas -11

Bob Knight's Red Raiders have put together some impressive victories in Lubbock, but have been abyssmal on the road. The Longhorns have struggled, even at home, but still find themselves 3-1 in Conference play. I am of the opinion that Texas Tech is a fraud. Not to say that Texas isn't, but a combination of a big time backcourt for Texas and a road game for Texas Tech make this a walk away for the Longhorns.

Prediction: Texas by 16