Handicapping Mississippi State-Oklahoma and the rest of the SEC/Big 12 challenge

If you were neglecting your college basketball handicapping while football was winding down, Saturday’s exciting SEC/Big 12 challenge should get you up to speed very quickly.

Several Dance-caliber teams will be in action, facing true litmus tests that will shed light on postseason readiness. You can park yourself on the couch for an all-day, all-night research project. Or, if you’ve been monitoring recent action, you can take your shots at your favorite local sports book.

Before we run through Saturday’s highlights, let’s quickly mention that Ole Miss is NOT part of this interconference event. There are 14 teams in the SEC, only 10 in the Big 12. Four teams had to be left out.

Ole Miss visits Georgia (SEC Network, 4:30 p.m.) in a bounce back spot after a horrible loss Tuesday at Tennessee. The Rebels were routed 73-45 getting just +6.5 points at sports books. Ole Miss dropped to 0-7-1 against the spread its last eight games. That fall from grace has the Rebels fighting to crack the top 125 in Ken Pomeroy’s market-respected national rankings (kenpom.com). (Vanderbilt and South Carolina were also left off Saturday’s guest list.)

Mississippi State gets a chance to improve its resume with a big game at Oklahoma (ESPN2, 1 p.m.). Though neither team is currently ranked, both are on the right side of the bubble according to market-respected computer rankings. A great test for both, and a must-see matchup.

Bettors should know that Mississippi State has now covered four straight games after beating Arkansas 77-70 Wednesday night as a four-point favorite. Oklahoma just hung tough with Baylor, but is only 4-11 ATS its last 15 games.

A quick look at Saturday interconference showdowns featuring ranked teams…

▪ No. 1 Baylor at Florida (ESPN, 7 p.m.)

If you only watch one game, this is it! Baylor knocked off Kansas in Lawrence, and would love to do the same to Florida in Gainesville. That would surely set the Bears on a more solid path to a #1 seed in the Dance. Though, Florida isn’t currently ranked, they’re computer rated as a “round-of-32” caliber team.

▪ No. 15 Kentucky at No. 18 Texas Tech (ESPN, 5 p.m.)

Not quite the dream matchup this would have been a year ago. But, pollsters still see this as basically a Sweet 16 caliber matchup. Both teams have been overpriced by oddsmakers this season. They’re each 8-10 ATS, and are coming off non-covers Tuesday night.

▪ Tennessee at No. 3 Kansas (ESPN, 3 p.m.)

Tennessee’s less likely to sparkle on the road. But, Kansas could be unfocused after its recent end-game brawl with Kansas State.

▪ Missouri at No. 14 West Virginia (ESPN 11 a.m.)

West Virginia has covered six of its last seven after obliterating Texas 97-59 this past Monday night. If Mizzou can’t handle full-court pressure, another blowout could be at hand.

▪ Iowa State at #16 Auburn (ESPNU, 11 a.m.)

Erratic Auburn suffered blowout losses recently to Florida and Alabama. Maybe they were reading too many press clippings about how they were “for real.” Here’s a chance to make new headlines.

Enjoy Saturday’s blockbusters! Then, sleep late Sunday before watching Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans host the Boston Celtics (ESPN, 5 p.m.) As we suggested Thursday, be sure you monitor betting markets to get a read on Zion’s projected impact in the minds of oddsmakers (opening lines) and sharps (first moves).