Big 12/SEC Challenge 2014: Teams, TV Schedule, Live Stream and Predictions

In what could become a great annual tradition, two conferences will battle for pride and respect in the second-ever Big 12/SEC Challenge.  

The two conferences matched up for the first time last season in an event that stretched over a month and featured games throughout the nonconference schedule. This time around, the challenge is a lot more centralized, and all 10 games take place over a four-day span.

Considering the history and current talent level of the top programs in each region, this could become a must-see event for college basketball fans around the country.

Here is a look at what to expect from this year's version and predictions for each game.

Date	Matchup	Time (ET)	TV	Pick
Dec. 3	Auburn at Texas Tech	9 p.m.	SEC Network	AUB
Dec. 4	LSU at West Virginia	7 p.m.	ESPN2	WVU
Dec. 4	Baylor at Vanderbilt	7 p.m.	ESPNU	BAY
Dec. 4	Arkansas at Iowa State	9 p.m.	ESPN2	ISU
Dec. 4	TCU at Ole Miss	9 p.m.	ESPNU	MISS
Dec. 5	Texas at Kentucky	7 p.m.	ESPN	KENT
Dec. 5	Florida at Kansas	9 p.m.	ESPN	KAN
Dec. 5	Missouri at Oklahoma	9:30 p.m.	ESPNU	OKLA
Dec. 6	Oklahoma State at South Carolina	12 p.m.	ESPNU	OSU
Dec. 6	Kansas State at Tennessee	3:15 p.m.	ESPN2	KSU

All games can be viewed online courtesy of Watch ESPN. 

Top Games

Arkansas at Iowa State

Tom Pennington/Getty Images

Few expected Arkansas to be the undefeated team in this showdown, but that's where the Razorbacks stand after a strong start to the season. While they don't have any especially impressive wins, they have impressed with their ability to light up the scoreboard with an incredibly balanced attack.

ESPN's Fran Fraschilla discussed the talent level on the squad:

The key has been the unselfish play of everyone on the roster, helping the team average 20.7 assists per game. When everyone makes the extra pass, it leads to open shots and an incredible 46.1 percent mark from three-point range.

Unfortunately, the Razorbacks face an Iowa State squad that also knows how to shoot, even though the shots haven't been falling early in the year. Georges Niang is one of the best offensive players in the nation, and he has plenty of help around him with Bryce Dejean-Jones and Dustin Hogue.

Things have not been perfect this year for a team that lost key contributors in DeAndre Kane and Melvin Ejim. However, the Cyclones should be able to get back on track with a big win over Arkansas.

Prediction: Iowa State 88, Arkansas 83

Florida at Kansas

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This battle has lost some of its luster from when these two teams were in the preseason Top 10, but the talent level on the floor is still unmistakable.

Kansas was overmatched early in the season against Kentucky, while Florida has lost three games already while dealing with various injuries. Still, these two teams have the potential to be Final Four squads when the year ends.

For the Gators, it is about health and learning to play together. Chris Walker, Dorian Finney-Smith and Eli Carter all returned to the lineup this past week but have still not lived up to expectations. Despite the struggles, Billy Donovan appreciates the wake-up call.

"Right now, the truth is slammed in our face, which I think is great," the Florida coach explained after the loss. "A lot of times in your nonconference scheduling, when you don't play against high-level competition, it's hard to get to a truth."

The problem is the truth is going to keep hitting this team like a middle school bully because Kansas is another tough matchup. The Jayhawks have a number of inexperienced players trying to fill into big roles, but they still play great defense as a group and will make it difficult for the Gators to score.

With talented freshmen Cliff Alexander and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk improving in each game—and Kelly Oubre still waiting to break out—this team will get better on the offensive end as well.

Both teams will try to keep the pace slow, but Kansas will be more efficient on the offensive end and come through with a key victory.

Prediction: Kansas 67, Florida 59

Texas at Kentucky

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

Everyone wants to make the only story about Kentucky whether it can go undefeated this season with one of the most talented rosters college basketball has ever seen. However, this dream can end this week with Texas coming to town.

The Wildcats will dominate most opponents thanks to their depth and ability in the frontcourt. Willie Cauley-Stein, Karl-Anthony Towns and Dakari Johnson lead a group of players that could make an NBA front line. According to KenPom.com, this team leads the nation with an average height of 79.4 inches.

Kentucky dominated Kansas 72-40 earlier in the year thanks to 11 blocks and many more altered shots inside.

However, Adam Zagoria of SNY.tv explains why Texas has a chance in this one:

Between Cameron Ridley, Jonathan Holmes and freshman Myles Turner, the Longhorns have one of the best frontcourts in the nation, and they will not be scared of any opponent. They have the strength and skill to score inside against Kentucky as well as fight for rebounds.

If point guard Isaiah Taylor was healthy, the road team would likely be able to pull off the upset.

Unfortunately, the sophomore remains out with a wrist injury, and Texas could struggle to make plays in the backcourt. This game will still be close throughout, but Kentucky will find a way to pull away thanks to its incredible depth across the board.

Prediction: Kentucky 75, Texas 68

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