The Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series is under way pitting two of the best conferences in the country. The Pac-10 will get a chance to prove whether or not it is worthy of the attention it has been receiving as the best league in college basketball. Eight different teams have legitimate NCAA tourney hopes with likely only six spots available due to the self-elimination that will inevitably occur when conference play kicks off in January. The Big 12 is top heavy with Kansas and Texas being a clear-cut above the rest, but there are a number of intriguing teams and players spread throughout the other 10 teams. Arizona and Kansas kicked the challenge by playing an overtime thriller which the Jayhawks pulled out 75-72. Stanford will visit Texas Tech December 22 to close the series that will continue for at least 3 more seasons.

Here’s some things to look out for in the upcoming games:

Friday, November 30

Washington at Oklahoma State - CLICK HERE to see game preview
The Huskies look to be improved from last season even with the loss of big man Spencer Hawes to the NBA. Without the 7-footer in the middle, UW has been free to return to its up-tempo style predicated on getting out in transition and scoring lots and lots of points. The results have been good with the only two losses being to Texas A&M and Syracuse on the road. Forward Justin Brockman has thrived in the return to the old style averaging a double-double including a monster 31 point 18 rebound effort in a win against Utah.

Oklahoma State, like the Huskies, disappointingly missed the NCAA tournament last season. Unlike the Huskies however, the Cowboys appear to be on the downswing having lost three times in five games including to North Texas from the Sun Belt. This was certainly not the way coach Sean Sutton envisioned his team starting out the year. Freshman James Anderson has established himself as the best player on the team averaging over 19 points a contest.

This contest should be fairly high scoring with both teams giving minutes to lots of young players in the early part of the season.

The talent for Tony Bennett is severely underrated by many who have not seen the Cougars play. It takes several viewings to appreciate the Cougs, but for basketball purists who enjoy watching smart fundamental basketball will love Washington State. Derrick Low is more of a scoring guard than a true point, but he is very effective in getting his shots by finding the open spots on the floor and he plays with great intensity. Kyle Weaver is a multi-faceted player that can do it all, and he handles the ball much of the time freeing up Low to be a scorer. Weaver is also a great defender often guarding the opponent’s best perimeter threat using his long arms to harass ballhandlers and get into passing lanes. Taylor Rochestie and Robbie Cowgill are two guys that don’t look like players, but are very effective and understand their roles.

Washington State does play at a slow pace, but they have picked up a bit under the younger Bennett than under his father Dick. The slow tempo however fools people into thinking the Cougs use it mask deficiencies. If you look at how efficient they are offensively and defensively per possession, Washington State are clearly one of the best teams in the country on both sides of the ball.

Missouri at California - CLICK HERE to see game preview
This is without a doubt the worst game of this series. Neither team is very good, and will struggle to compete when conference play rolls around. The Beavers are the only non-competitive team in the Pac-10, but the Cyclones at least have an excuse as they adjusted to a new coach in Greg McDermott. There is a much more stable situation in Ames now and they will likely improve, but you can’t say that about Oregon State. Definitely don’t set the TiVo for this one.