With the Big 12 Tournament starting tomorrow, it’s time to look at the match-ups for Thursday’s first round of the Big 12 Tournament:

Game 1

No. 8 Iowa State vs. No. 9 Oklahoma

The Sooners, who were in fourth at one time in the league standings, are on a six-game losing streak, with no wins since beating Baylor on Feb. 10. Oklahoma has been in games, it just hasn’t had consistent play down the stretch to push it to a win.

Iowa State comes into the tournament having won every other game since beating Oklahoma on Feb. 13 and since the Cyclones lost their final regular season game against Texas Tech, should have a shot to beat Oklahoma.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Iowa State, G Mike Taylor: Taylor is the team’s leading scorer, but he has been known to shoot the Cyclones out of games when he’s cold. He’s averaging 36.7 percent from the field. He’s also a little careless with the ball averaging 5.5 turnovers a game.

Oklahoma, F Nate Carter: Carter has been the team’s most reliable scorer during Big 12 play with 16.5 points per game. Even during the losing streak, Carter has been consistently in double figures. However, Carter can’t carry the team. Guards Michael Neal and Taylor Griffin will have to play well to make the team successful.

QUOTABLE

Oklahoma coach Jeff Capel on his team’s losing streak: “There are some days when we’ve seen improvement and there are some days when we haven’t. I think our guys have fought. I think we’ve competed and I think we’ve been in just about every game. Is this satisfying to me? No. I didn’t come to Oklahoma to compete or come close.”

PREDICTION

I think this will be a game where Oklahoma breaks out of its funk. The Sooners are a more complete team than Iowa State and they tend not to play as carelessly. Not to mention, Oklahoma will have the fans behind them in the Ford Center and this will be the first Big 12 Tournament for several of Iowa State’s players.

Oklahoma 75, Iowa State 68

Game 2

No. 5 Texas Tech vs. No. 12 Colorado

Texas Tech comes into the tournament fighting for an NCAA bid. Though the Red Raiders have a good RPI and swept the top two teams in the conference, they still need a decent showing in the tournament to make the case that they deserve the bid over Kansas State. Texas Tech has won its last three games and beat Colorado by 21 in Lubbock earlier in the year. The only concern is that the Red Raiders might be looking ahead at the next round against Kansas State.

Colorado comes into the tournament with momentum, something it hasn’t generated much of during the season. Finishing on a high note could make the offseason a little more bearable as the school searches for a new coach. Despite the fact that Colorado coach Ricardo Patton will eventually coach his last game this week, there isn’t a whole lot of “Win one for coach!” in this team. I think they’re ready to get on with fresh blood.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Colorado, G Richard Roby: With guard Xavier Silas out because of suspension, Roby will be called upon to carry the offense, which he has done most of the season anyway. Roby is averaging 17.3 points per game and should get help from freshman guard Kal Bay and the team’s lone senior Dominique Coleman.

Texas Tech, G Jarrius Jackson: Texas Tech coach Bob Knight said the one thing that defines Jackson is that he loves to play the game. That has been exemplified during the Red Raiders winning streak. Jackson is averaging 19.6 points in the last three games.

QUOTABLE

Colorado coach Ricardo Patton on the difficulty of playing four games in four days: “If you’re a 12 seed or 11 seed, you’re probably not as good as some of the opponents that you’ve got to face to win out… Having to play for four days is difficult, particularly when teams have byes. It makes a difference, that one extra game. It’s not impossible. It’s tough, difficulty, but not impossible.”

PREDICTION

I’m not sure what the line is on this game, but I bet Tech is favored by double digits and worth every penny. The Red Raiders should end the Buffaloes season quickly and painlessly. The only way Colorado get a whiff in this game is if Texas Tech gets caught looking ahead to the next match-up against Kansas State. That’s possible, considering that the winner of that game, will likely get the NCAA Tournament bid.

Texas Tech 81, Colorado 68

Game 3

No. 7 Oklahoma State vs. No. 10 Nebraska

No team in the conference has been in a greater freefall than Oklahoma State. The Cowboys have lost eight of their last 10 games and have gone from a team that could compete for the Big 12 championship to a team that is struggling to get into NIT. No team needs a run in the Big 12 Tournament more than Oklahoma State if for nothing else, to save face.

Nebraska has been hit and miss during its last eight games, though it has wins over Kansas State, Missouri and Oklahoma, all teams that finished ahead of the “Huskers in the league standings. Over those last eight games, the offense has run almost exclusively through big man Aleks Maric. But beyond Maric, the well runs a little dry.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Oklahoma State, F Mario Boggan: Boggan has been the team’s best player all season, averaging 19.7 points, but he’s also been a liability at times because of selfish play. Boggan has appeared to be playing for himself during his last couple games, and that might have contributed to the team’s losing streak. Still, he’s one of the best players in the league and can change a game for the Cowboys.

Nebraska, F Aleks Maric: Maric is the best player on the team and as I said earlier, the offense almost exclusively goes through him. He is strong in the paint and can grab rebounds. Maric comes into the tournament with five consecutive double-doubles. He has averaged 24.6 points and 13.6 rebounds during that span.

QUOTABLE

Oklahoma State G JamesOn Curry on a team never winning four games in four days to win the Big 12 Tournament: “That’s the thing about college basketball. You don’t have to wait seven, eight days. You’ve got another try. You’ve got a try right now. We can do it. We’ve got full confidence. We’re prepared and most of us are in the best shape of our lives. This is a great opportunity. I think this team can overcome it and we’ll be remembered and respected.”

PREDICTION

Since these two teams played Monday, what worked and what didn’t work is going to be fresh in both team’s minds. Nebraska won that game by 12, but I don’t think they’ll win this one. This is a determined Oklahoma State team that knows the Big 12 Tournament is the last chance to save its season. I think they’ll take advantage, have a better defensive gameplan for Maric and come away victorious.

Oklahoma State 82, Nebraska 73

Game 4

No. 6 Missouri vs. No. 11 Baylor

Missouri is greatly improved from the team that started the Big 12 season 2-6. The Tigers won four of their last six games and beat Baylor in that stretch as well. Missouri also plays well on the road and should thrive in a South-dominated environment. If Missouri can get some contribution inside, it should be solid during this tournament.

Only one 11 seed has beaten a 6 seed in the history of the tournament, but Baylor has the weapons to be the second. With guard Aaron Bruce back in the lineup, the Bears have a little more firepower from the perimeter, however the injury to Kevin Rogers really hurts their inside game. The Bears have not won a Big 12 game away from their home court in three seasons.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Missouri, G Keon Lawrence: Though guard Stefhon Hannah is the leader of this team, Lawrence has the ability to take the game over. If both of those players can be at their best during this tournament, Missouri will be difficult to stop. Lawrence has scored in double figures in each of the last seven games, but hasn’t been dynamic since scoring 24 against baylor on Feb. 14.

Baylor, G Curtis Jerrells:With forward Kevin Rogers limited because of an ankle injury, Jerrells and guard Aaron Bruce will be the main sources of offense. Jerrells had 14 points against the Tigers, but had some trouble holding onto the ball with Missouri’s pressure.

QUOTABLE

Missouri coach Mike Anderson on the postseason: “When you get to this point in the season, it’s just one game. To me, it’s about surviving and advancing. That’s something we’ve talked about… Twelve teams show up here and 12 teams have a shot to go to the NCAA. The way to do that is you’re going to have to win this tournament. If you ask each of those teams, everybody thinks they have an opportunity to win and we’re no different than anyone else.”

PREDICTION

Baylor is always dangerous in the Big 12 Tournament because it’s always the team that is taken lightly and has a chance to sneak up on an unsuspecting team. Missouri has had this happen to it several times this season and if it’s looking ahead to Texas it will get caught again. The Bears are coming off a big win against Oklahoma State last weekend and have confidence despite having one of their best players hobbled. Missouri will have to play at its best to win this one.

Missouri 75, Baylor 67