College basketball picks: Big 12 and other top 25 predictions for March 1st

(15)Iowa State (22-5, 10-5) at Kansas State (19-9, 9-6) – 6:00 PM, ESPNU

Voss: Kansas State has one of the best defenses in the Big 12, and has not lost at home since November 8th. Iowa State has been impressive as of late, winning four straight, and seven out of their last eight. While the Cyclones offense has been good this season, it will be very challenging to get a win in Manhattan. Bramlage Coliseum has had excellent crowds this year. Kansas State wins in a close game.

Pick: Kansas State

Texas Longhorns guard Javan Felix (3) watches Iowa State Cyclones forward Dustin Hogue (22) score during the second half at James H. Hilton Coliseum. Iowa State beat Texas 85-76. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

(24)Texas (21-7, 10-5) at Oklahoma (20-8, 9-6) – 3:00 PM, Big 12 Network (Web: ESPN3)

Spaen: Big 12 scheduling sure is strange this year. Both teams opened up Big 12 play against each other and finally meet for the rematch. The Sooners opened with a 3-point victory, overcoming Javan Felix shooting over 50 percent to score 28 points and letting the Longhorns score 85 points. But Texas has improved on defense as Big 12 play has rolled on. Jonathan Holmes was impressive in a 15-point performance in just 16 minutes of play. He’s scored double-digit points in the last four games, and he’s come just short of multiple double-doubles.

Texas wasn’t able to contain Oklahoma’s Buddy Hield, as he scored 22 points and made four field goals from downtown. The Longhorns haven’t played well on the road as of late; while Oklahoma isn’t Iowa State or Kansas, this much road travel for Texas will take its toll in a really good, close game.

Prediction: Oklahoma

TCU (9-18, 0-15) at West Virginia (15-13, 7-8) – 12:30 PM, ROOT Sports Pittsburgh

Spaen: Bob Huggins has to be pretty happy returning home after a five-game stretch that saw Iowa State twice, Kansas and Texas on the road, and having to host a hot Baylor team. TCU’s been the punching bag in the Big 12 with an 0-15 conference record, and even with West Virginia’s three-game losing streak, there’s nothing that tells us TCU will be competitive for a full 40 minutes. WVU wins big.

Prediction: West Virginia

Texas Tech (13-15, 5-10) at Baylor (18-10, 6-9) – 12:45 PM, Big 12 Network (Web: ESPN3)

Voss: Baylor is making a push for the NCAA tournament. The Bears have won four of their last five, including two contests in overtime. Texas Tech has played good basketball at times this year, but has lost four straight and struggled on the road. Baylor gets a little bit closer to the NCAA tournament by winning this game.

Prediction: Baylor