Big 12 Men’s Basketball Preview: January 11, 2025 Weekend Showdowns

The Big 12 Conference remains one of the most competitive and exciting leagues in NCAA Division I basketball, as teams fiercely contend for supremacy and NCAA tournament positions. As we approach the weekend of January 11, 2025, several intriguing match-ups are on the docket, each carrying significant implications for conference standings and postseason aspirations. Here’s a detailed preview of the key games to watch in Big 12 men’s basketball top match -ups.

Kansas Jayhawks (10-4, 4-0 Big 12) vs. Texas Longhorns (12-2, 3-1 Big 12)

Saturday, January 11, 2025, 1:00 PM ET – Allen Fieldhouse, Lawrence, KS:A clash between two of the Big 12’s traditional powerhouses, this game promises to be one of the most exciting of the weekend. Kansas, riding a perfect 4-0 start in the conference, will host Texas, who is also playing well at 3-1 in Big 12 play.

Kansas Jay-hawks: Known for their depth and experience under head coach Bill Self, Kansas has made a strong statement in the early part of their conference season. With players like Jalen Wilson and K.J. Adams driving their offense and defense, the Jayhawks are looking to extend their strong form at home.

Texas Longhorns: Under head coach Chris Beard, Texas is poised to make a deep run this season. Led by Marcus Carr and Dylan Disu, the Longhorns possess the size and talent needed to compete with the best in the conference. Their challenge will be to use their depth and defensive abilities to challenge Kansas on their home court.

Key Prediction: Kansas enters as the favorite due to their home-court advantage and strong conference play, but Texas has the talent to make this a close contest. Expect a high-energy, hard-fought game with impressive defensive efforts from both sides.

Baylor Bears (9-4, 2-2 Big 12) vs. West Virginia Mountaineers (7-7, 1-3 Big 12)

Saturday, January 11, 2025, 3:30 PM ET – Ferrell Center, Waco, TX:Baylor, the 2021 NCAA champions, will aim to rebound from an up-and-down start to their Big 12 campaign, sitting at 2-2 in the conference. They’ll face West Virginia, which is struggling to find its rhythm with a 1-3 conference record.

Baylor Bears: Under Scott Drew, Baylor remains one of the premier teams in the nation. With standout guards like L.J. Cr-yer and Adam Flagler, the Bears’ high-powered offense is difficult for most teams to contain. They will look to impose their fast-paced style of play on West Virginia.

West Virginia Mountaineers: Coached by Bob Huggins, West Virginia is known for its physicality and aggressive defense. However, they’ll need a more balanced offensive performance from players like Kedrian Johnson and Em-mitt Matthews Jr. if they hope to keep pace with Baylor’s potent attack.

Key Prediction: Baylor is favored, especially playing at home and with their dynamic offense. West Virginia could pull off an upset if they manage to control the tempo and execute their defense effectively.

Iowa State Cyclones (8-6, 2-2 Big 12) vs. Oklahoma Sooners (6-8, 1-3 Big 12)

Saturday, January 11, 2025, 4:00 PM ET – Hilton Coliseum, Ames, IA:Both Iowa State and Oklahoma will look to secure much-needed victories to stay competitive in the Big 12. Neither team has shown consistent dominance, but both are capable of surprises.

Iowa State Cyclones: Under head coach T.J. Otzelberger, Iowa State has remained competitive, despite a challenging non-conference schedule. With players like Jaren Holmes and Osun Osunniyi, the Cyclones can mix strong defense with timely scoring. They’ll look to capitalize on their home-court advantage.

Oklahoma Sooners: Oklahoma has struggled in Big 12 play with a 1-3 record, but players like Grant Sherfield and Jacob Groves have shown potential. The Sooner s will need to improve their overall play and chemistry to compete with Iowa State, especially on the road.

Key Prediction: Iowa State is the favorite, particularly with their home-court advantage and Oklahoma’s inconsistent form. However, the Sooner s could make this competitive if their defense steps up and they get contributions from their key players.

TCU Horned Frogs (11-4, 3-1 Big 12) vs. Kansas State Wildcats (9-5, 2-2 Big 12)

Saturday, January 11, 2025, 6:00 PM ET – Schollmaier Arena, Fort Worth, TX:Both TCU and Kansas State have shown promise in the early stages of the Big 12 season, making this match-up an exciting one to watch. TCU comes in with a solid 3-1 conference record, while Kansas State is 2-2.

TCU Horned Frogs: TCU has had a strong start to the season, relying on solid defense and the leadership of players like Mike Miles Jr. and Damion Ba-ugh. The Horned Frogs will look to control the game’s pace and use their defensive intensity to limit Kansas State’s scoring opportunities.

Kansas State Wildcats: Kansas State has been a bit inconsistent, but with talents like Keyontae Johnson and Markquis Nowell, the Wildcats can challenge any team in the Big 12. Kansas State will need to find more consistency on offense to contend with TCU’s defensive prowess.

Key Prediction: TCU enters as the favorite, particularly with their defense and home-court advantage. However, Kansas State has the talent to make it a competitive game if they can hit their shots and play smart basketball.

Conclusion

The Big 12 remains one of the most exciting conferences in college basketball, with each team vying for top spots in the standings and potential NCAA Tournament bids. The weekend’s match-ups are crucial for teams looking to position themselves for the stretch run, and fans can expect intense, high-stakes basketball throughout. Whether it’s Kansas and Texas battling for supremacy or Baylor and West Virginia striving to find consistency, each game offers something special for college basketball enthusiasts.As always, the unpredictability of the sport means anything can happen, making these Big 12 showdowns a must-watch for fans across the nation.