Three Must-Watch Big 12 Women’s Basketball Games for Week of Jan. 30
Here are the top three Big 12 women’s basketball games for the week of January 30th. Most teams are either at the midway point or about to pass the midway point of the season.
Texas at West Virginia, 6 p.m. CT Wednesday, Big 12 Now/ESPN+
This is a big game for coach Dawn Plitzuweit and West Virginia. The Mountaineers, led by Jayla Hemingway and JJ Quinerly, have hopes of trying to get into the NCAA Tournament. To do that, the Mountaineers need a few more wins like the one they collected against Baylor a couple of weeks ago. Texas is almost impossible to beat at home right now. But on the road? The Longhorns have been vulnerable, as evidenced by their losses to Oklahoma State and to Texas Tech. Guard Rori Harmon is coming off a solid week and forward Taylor Jones is starting to play like the forward the Longhorns were hoping to get this season via transfer. This is a great chance for West Virginia to get a win that could help them when it comes to Selection Sunday. For Texas, it needs to prove it can win games it’s supposed to win away from home.
Texas Tech at Oklahoma State, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Big 12 Now/ESPN+
This is a big game for two teams that are under-.500 in conference play but have the overall records to be considered for the NCAA tournament. Texas Tech’s win over Texas in Lubbock feels like it’s in the rearview mirror now. Bre’Amber Scott and Jasmine Shavers are playing great basketball for the Lady Raiders, but consistent winning is still a bit elusive. Heading to Stillwater offers the Lady Raiders a chance to change that. Oklahoma State is coming off a road loss to Texas, but the Cowgirls have been hard to beat at home. Led by players like Naomie Alnatas and Lexy Keys, Oklahoma State is in the Bracketology field. Every Big 12 win the Cowgirls claim strengthens their case for March Madness.
Baylor at Iowa State, 5 p.m. Saturday, ESPNU/ESPN+
Baylor is trying to play its way back into the Big 12 regular-season title race. To do that, the Bears will have to beat Iowa State at least once, if not twice. Baylor is led by guard Sarah Andrews, along with forwards Caitlin Bickle and Darianna Littlepage-Buggs, the latter of which is perhaps the best freshman in the Big 12. Iowa State seems to have found some balance since losing center Stephanie Soares, but super senior Ashley Joens continues to set the pace. As long as she and guards Lexi Donarski and Emily Ryan are firing away offensively, the Cyclones have a chance to win this game and the Big 12 regular season title outright. Right now, the Cyclones are tied with Texas at the top.
This Week’s Schedule (all times central)
Tuesday
TCU at Oklahoma, 6 p.m., ESPN+
Wednesday
Texas at West Virginia, 6 p.m., Big 12 Now/ESPN+
Iowa State at Kansas State, 6:30 p.m., Big 12 Now/ESPN+
Texas Tech at Oklahoma State, 6:30 p.m., Big 12 Now/ESPN+
Kansas at Baylor, 7 p.m., Big 12 Now/ESPN+
Saturday
Oklahoma State at TCU, 1 p.m., Big 12 Now/ESPN+
West Virginia at Oklahoma, 2 p.m., ESPN+
Texas at Kansas, 4 p.m., Big 12 Now/ESPN+
Baylor at Iowa State, 5 p.m., ESPNU/ESPN+
Sunday
Kansas State at Texas Tech, 1 p.m., ESPNU/ESPN+
Links to Use
Rankings
AP Top 25 | USA Today Coaches | NCAA NET
Team Schedules, Results
Baylor | Iowa State | Kansas | Kansas State | Oklahoma | Oklahoma State | TCU | Texas | Texas Tech | West Virginia
Signing Classes for 2023
Baylor | Iowa State | Kansas | Kansas State | Oklahoma | Oklahoma State | TCU | Texas | Texas Tech | West Virginia
Tournaments
Big 12 Women’s Tournament | NCAA Women’s Tournament
Bracketology
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard
