While the ACC/Big Ten Challenge concluded Wednesday night with the Midwestern league securing bragging rights for the first time in the event’s 11 year history, conference challenge season is just getting warmed up. Thursday, the Big 12 and Pac 10 take over the television, thanks to three nationally broadcast matchups.
Big 12 And Pac 10’s Turn To Duel In Hardwood Series
Unlike the compact, three-night affairs that are the ACC/Big Ten Challenge and Big East/SEC Invitational, the Big 12/Pac 10 Hardwood Series is spread out over several weeks, much like the new, much less publicized Missouri Valley/Mountain West Challenge. USC actually opened the series with a three-point home loss to Nebraska back on Sunday.
That brings us to another key difference. Even though the two leagues don’t match up numerically, the two extra Big 12 teams don’t take a year off. That means two Pac 10 teams play twice each year, with USC and No. 12 Washington slated for two tilts in 2009.
The Trojans play their second game in the event Thursday night, while the Huskies play their first. And just for some perspective on how long this thing lasts, the Huskies play their second to close the series at home game against 19th-ranked Texas A&M, on December 22.
This is the third season of the Hardwood Series. The Pac 10 won seven games to five in 2007, and the two leagues each won six games in 2008. With the top two teams in the current AP poll coming from the Big 12 and the season looking to be a down one for the Pac 10, the league from the Heartland has an excellent chance to claim its first series in 2009.
You can follow all three of Thursday’s Big 12/Pac 10 Hardwood Series games here on SB Nation.
No. 12 Washington at Texas Tech, 7 p.m. ET
FINAL, Texas Tech 99, Washington 92 (OT)
Red Raider fans stormed the court twice, once after Mike Singletary appeared to have won it at the end of regulation, and again after the seven-point overtime victory was secured.
Husky game discussion at UW Dawg Pound
Red Raider game discussion at Double T Nation
USC at No. 2 Texas, 9 p.m. ET
Preview at Burnt Orange Nation (with the help of Conquest Chronicles)
Live score
Trojan game discussion at Conquest Chronicles
Longhorn game discussion at Burnt Orange Nation
Baylor at Arizona State, 10:30 p.m. ET
Live score
Game discussion at House of Sparky
For a rundown of tonight’s other televised action, which includes conference matchups in the Ohio Valley and Horizon League, visit Blogging the Bracket.
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