Big 12 Tournament 2015: Quarterfinals Schedule, Live Stream, Bracket Predictions

Coming off an exhilarating opening round to the Big 12 tournament, the favorites to win it all will finally take the stage on Thursday. Of course, that also means upsets are more likely in the second round.

Kansas, Iowa State and Oklahoma will all be tested in Kansas City, Missouri. In a bracket with just 10 teams, getting out alive on Thursday will guarantee a spot in the semifinals for any of the Big 12 teams.

Leading up to Thursday's slate, here's a full look at the viewing schedule, predictions and a breakdown of the most enticing matchup.

Matchup	Time (ET)	TV Info	Live Stream	Prediction
Baylor vs. West Virginia	12:30 p.m.	ESPN2	WatchESPN	Baylor
Kansas vs. TCU	2:30 p.m.	ESPN2	WatchESPN	Kansas
Iowa State vs. Texas	7 p.m.	ESPNU	WatchESPN	Iowa State
Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State	9 p.m.	ESPNU	WatchESPN	Oklahoma

No. 4 Baylor vs. No. 5 West Virginia

Cooper Neill/Getty Images

Viewed as two programs that can potentially upset the entire bracket, Baylor and West Virginia will do battle in the opener for both teams.

If the past gives us any idea of what's to come, it should be Baylor that comes away with an easy victory. The Bears have taken down the Mountaineers twice this season in convincing fashion behind great play from Taurean Prince.

The big man has regularly come off the bench for Baylor to destroy teams down low. He leads the team with 14 points per game to go along with his 5.5 rebounds per game. The Sixth Man of the Year in the Big 12 earned some praise from Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports ahead of the tournament:

Prince and Rico Gathers (11.6 PPG, 11.7 RPG) make the Bears potent inside the paint. Senior Kenny Chery has been up and down recently but provides senior leadership from the point guard position.

That will present a problem for a West Virginia team that might already be without its biggest star on the court. Leading scorer Juwan Staten missed the last three regular-season games with a knee injury. Mountaineers coach Bob Huggins referenced the senior guard's status, via Brian Hamilton of Sports Illustrated:

If Staten is unable to take the court, it will be up to Devin Williams to step up again. The sophomore averages 11.1 points and 8.2 rebounds per game but has increased that production recently. Over his last two games, Williams is averaging 15.5 points and 9.5 rebounds.

The team's official Twitter account points out how strong Williams was in the final regular-season game:

Unfortunately, it won't be enough for the Mountaineers to pull out a win, as Baylor will be too much inside. The Bears' physical presence will also create problems for Kansas in the semifinals despite being swept by the Jayhawks in the regular season.

In March, anything is possible. If any team has a chance to break the Big 12 bracket, it's Baylor. The Bears will prove just that on Thursday.

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