The Big XII-Pac 10 conference challenge series is in its second season. The Pacific-10 won last season's official matchups in the Hardwood Series 7 games to 5. However, in all games between the two conferences last season, the Big 12 actually held the edge, 11-8.
Although most games will be played this week, this season's Big 12-Pac 10 challenge schedule actually started on Nov. 29, with Stanford defeating Colorado. Because the two power conferences have a different number of teams (12 versus 10), some Pac-10 teams play two games in the series, necessitating some games to be played outside the window where most of the games will be played.
The 2008 Big 12-Pac 10 Hardwood Series schedule (all times Eastern):
NOV. 29
- Stanford 76 - Colorado 62: Stanford built a 10-point halftime lead, and the Buffaloes never closed closer than 7 points in the second half.
Pac-10 leads Hardwood Series, 1-0
DEC. 4, THURSDAY
- Oklahoma 73 - USC 72: #6 Oklahoma survived a tough contest on its home floor. The Sooners (7-0) did not trail in the second half, but USC (5-3) had a half-court shot at the buzzer that would've won the game. Oklahoma's Blake Griffin had 25 points but just 6 rebounds, the first time he hasn't had at least 15 rebounds in a game this season. USC has lost two games to Big XII teams this season.
- Texas 68 - UCLA 64: Texas won the matchup of Top 10 teams, defeating UCLA for a second straight season. #8 Texas (6-1) blew a 9-point halftime lead and overcame a couple of second-half deficits to topple #9 UCLA (4-2). A.J. Abrams scored 31 points to lead Texas.
- Washington 83 - Oklahoma State 65: Oklahoma State (5-3) struggled in its first true road game of the season, as Washington (4-3) built a 14-point halftime lead and wasn't threatened in the second half.
Hardwood Series tied, 2-2
DEC. 5, FRIDAY
- Texas A&M 67 - Arizona 66: Texas A&M (6-1) trailed most of the game but put together a furious rally late, hitting a 3-pointer with 27 seconds remaining and then stopping the final possession of Arizona (5-2) to win in College Station.
Big XII leads Hardwood Series, 3-2
DEC. 6, SATURDAY
- Iowa State 63 - Oregon State 50: Iowa State (6-1) remained undefeated at home this season. Oregon State (1-5) never threatened in the second half, making just 2 of 19 three-point field goals in the game.
- Baylor 58 - Washington State 52: Baylor moves to 7-1 with an impressive road win, holding off a late charge from Washington State (6-2).
Big XII leads Hardwood Series, 5-2
DEC. 7, SUNDAY
- Arizona State 64 - Nebraska 44: Arizona State (7-1) handed Nebraska (6-1) its first loss of the season, overcoming an early deficit for a 12-point halftime lead. The #19 Sun Devils were never threatened in the second half.
- Missouri 93 - California 66: Missouri (7-1) continued its strong start to the season, blowing out California (6-2). Missouri built an 11-point lead at halftime at home, and extended that lead throughout the second half.
- Oregon 75 - Kansas State 70: Oregon evened its season record at 4-4 by overcoming a halftime deficit at home. Kansas State (5-3) has lost three straight games.
Big XII leads Hardwood Series, 6-4
DEC. 23
- Kansas at Arizona, 10:30 p.m., Fox Sports Net
DEC. 28
- Texas Tech at Stanford, 10 p.m., Fox Sports Net
