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NCAA Basketball: Previewing the Big 12/SEC Challenge

By Doug Winkey

Jan 23, 2017; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Jawun Evans (1) handles the ball while TCU Horned Frogs guard Alex Robinson (25) defends during the second half at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Cowboys won 89-76. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2017; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Jawun Evans (1) handles the ball while TCU Horned Frogs guard Alex Robinson (25) defends during the second half at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Cowboys won 89-76. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 30, 2016; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Frank Mason III (0) pulls down a rebound during the second half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Allen Fieldhouse. Kansas won the game 90-84 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2016; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Frank Mason III (0) pulls down a rebound during the second half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Allen Fieldhouse. Kansas won the game 90-84 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

The NCAA basketball’s Big 12/SEC Challenge enters its fourth year and the teams involved this year are dangerous.

The Big 12 has come away victorious in each of the three years that the Big 12/SEC Challenge has existed. Overall, the results are 20-to-6 in favor of the Big 12. This season could very well end the same way, as the Big 12 has better teams from top to bottom, while the SEC has just two or three teams that are really good and many that are either underachieving or transitioning under newer regimes. Either way, fans will get a treat with these 10 games taking place on Saturday.

Because of the difference in conference size, several SEC teams will be excluded again this season. Alabama, Missouri, Mississippi State and South Carolina will be staying home while the remaining teams square off against their Big 12 counterparts. This will be the third year the Crimson Tide and Bulldogs will not participate. Those two have missed more Challenges than any other SEC program.

It really is a shame South Carolina or the upstart Tide won’t get to participate as they would be much more compelling programs than some of the ones on the schedule

Of course, the premier matchup is Kansas/Kentucky. That is the only pairing that has two teams in the top 25. There are a few sneaky-good games, however. Kansas State at Tennessee, Iowa State at Vanderbilt and Oklahoma State hosting Arkansas all have the potential to be close, exciting games. Even the less-heralded games are worth watching as the SEC tries to gain some prestige mid-season against the toughest conference in the nation.

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