Big 12 men’s basketball picks: Week two weekend predictions

It won’t gain as much national attention as Ohio State and Marquette’s top 25 matchup on Saturday afternoon, but the Iowa State men’s basketball team hosting seventh-ranked Michigan could be the best game of the weekend.

Dec, 3, 2011; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Stu Douglass (1) strips the ball from Iowa State Cyclones forward Royce White (30) in the second half at Crisler Arena. Michigan won 76-66. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

We’ll have thoughts on the big game along with predictions for the rest of the Big 12.

Stephen F. Austin (2-0) at Texas (2-0) – Friday, 7:00 PM CT (TV: Longhorn Network)

It’s been a rocky start for the Longhorns, but they won both games. The Lumberjacks are good news for them as they rank 265th nationally in rebounding. This is a chance for the Texas bigs to get some experience, and they should finally get a solid victory. Texas

Arkansas-Pine Bluff (2-0) at (12)Oklahoma State (2-0) – Friday, 7:00 PM CT (TV: FSN Oklahoma)

The Cowboys are undefeated against SWAC opponents. Even worse is the Golden Lions committed 41 turnovers while the Cowboys have forced 45. This should be nothing less than a 30-point victory. Oklahoma State

Duquesne (1-1) at West Virginia (1-1) – Sunday, 3:00 PM CT (TV: ROOT Sports Pittsburgh)

Don’t discount WVU with the 1-1 record, that was a tough loss against Virginia Tech and the team will experience growing pains with the frontcourt full of transfers. Juwan Staten is the player to watch at guard, averaging 39.5 minutes of play and averages 16 points, seven rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game. The Dukes can score, averaging 87.5 points per game, but I don’t think they’ll come out of West Virginia with a win. West Virginia

Long Beach State (1-2) at Kansas State (1-1) – Sunday, 3:00 PM CT (TV: FSN)

The 49ers have a loaded non-conference schedule, and who knew one of their easier stops could be in Manhattan, where the Wildcats are rebuilding. But after showing how noncompetitive they were at Arizona and losing to Loyola-Marymount at home, Kansas State should edge an LBSU team that’s only hitting 37 percent of their shots from the field. Kansas State

(7)Michigan (2-0) at Iowa State (2-0) – Sunday, 4:00 PM CT (TV: ESPN2)

A third straight slow start for the Cyclones will be unacceptable on Sunday if they want to contend with the Wolverines.  They’ll miss Melvin Ejim if Glenn Robinson III starts going off and dominates the boards, and they’ll have to watch out for Jon Horford who’s averaging an astounding 13.5 rebounds per game. Prediction coming Saturday night

Louisana-Lafayette (2-0) at (23)Baylor (2-0) – Suday, 4:00 PM CT (TV: FSN Southwest)

Unlike West Virginia, Baylor pulled off their ESPN Tip-Off Marathon game in ugly fashion against South Carolina. This is going to be an underrated test with a very high-scoring Rajin Caujin team. We’ll know more about them after they face Arkansas on Friday night, but I actually like them to pull off the upset at Waco. Louisiana-Lafayette