Previewing Friday's Big 12 Conference Tournament Action - Predictions and Commentary

All four top seeds advanced on Thursday, making for some interesting games on Friday.

No. 1 Kansas vs No. 4 Texas A&M - Big 12 Network 6:00 p.m. CST

I wouldn't say Kansas was close to being upset by Texas Tech, but it was a close game.
I wouldn't say Texas A&M was close to being upset by Nebraska, but it was a close game.
So one might say that both teams are looking for their grove after coming off close games. Luckily for KU, though, they are loaded and playing a virtual home game. Sure Lawrence is still 40 minutes outside of the Sprint Center, but tell that to the completely partisan crowd.  There will be more red and blue in attendance than maroon and white. Oh yeah, that and KU is absolutely LOADED. The Jayhawks need to contain Donald Sloan on the perimeter, and Sherron Collins and Xavier Henry will be up for the task. They also need to contain Bryan Davis down low, and they've got Cole Aldrich and the Morris twins to take care of that. And once they've locked those guys down, they might as well start thinking about the breakfast buffet at the Sheraton, because they are spending another night in the City of Fountains.

No. 2 Kansas St. vs No. 3 Baylor - Big 12 Network 8:30 p.m. CST

These teams are stock full of superstars, making this the game of the conference tourney I have been waiting for. K-State has Jacob Pullen, Denis Clemente and Thursday's star Jamar Samules. Baylor has Tweety Carter, LaceDarius Dunn and Ekpe Udoh starting for them. All told you have 5 on the Big 12 Hoops All Big 12 Squads, including the defensive player of the year, and the conference's official 6th man of the year. So this should be a good and close one, one I wouldn't be surprised to see going into overtime. In the end, though, it'll be Udoh's defense that rattles the Wildcats just enough to squeak out the W.