NCAA Basketball: Ranking the 10 Big East vs Big 12 matchups for 2021-22 season
8. Marquette Golden Eagles at Kansas State Wildcats
The Golden Eagles have been led by its backcourt for the past few years but next season’s strength lies in the frontcourt. Dawson Garcia, Justin Lewis, and Oklahoma transfer Kur Kuath will be key players to watch, whereas the questions lie in the backcourt after both DJ Carton and Koby McEwen moved on this offseason. George Mason transfer Tyler Kolek and Greg Elliot will be joined by some freshmen guards but one will need to break out for them to have a chance.
Kansas State looked awful last season all the way until they went 4-2 in the final six games. They’re hoping to keep the momentum, bringing back four of the top five scorers and adding three key transfers in Ismael Massoud, Mark Smith, and Markquis Nowell.
Right now, there are games that appear to be better on paper than this one but don’t be surprised if Marquette and Kansas State end up being a bubble battle next season. A lot of things will have to go well but the pieces are there.
Prediction: Kansas State
7. Texas Tech Red Raiders at Providence Friars
Texas Tech is going to look completely different next season, with a new head coach and vastly different roster, filled with a number of transfers. The most notable ones include 20 ppg transfer guard Davion Warren and Sardaar Calhoun, along with returning forward Marcus Santos-Silva. The pieces will have to work and new head coach Mark Adams has a lot to prove as Chris Beard’s replacement but they’ll be interesting to watch.
As for the Friars, they’ll be hoping to replace star guard David Duke and his production, with transfer guards Justin Minaya and Aljami Durham. They’ll have a high floor thanks to the return of 5th-year all-conference center Nate Watson but the team will need much more from the supporting cast to have at-large hopes.
These are two well-known programs with recent trips to the NCAA Tournament but right now, both have a lot to work on to get back. This game could end up being very consequential depending on who wins.