Championship Central

No. 8 Kansas (17-12) vs. No. 9 Nebraska (15-14)
1:30 p.m. Thursday, Cox Cable
Jayhawks Up To Now: The Jayhawks started 2-8 in conference play but recovered to win four of its last five. Junior guard/forward Danielle McCray, a first team All-Big 12 selection, has led the late surge. She has averaged 26.8 points and 10.8 rebounds over the five games. Sophomore center Krysten Boogaard has provided solid play in the low post.
Cornhuskers Up To Now: Nebraska has won four of its last five with the loss coming at Kansas. The Cornhuskers lost nine of its first 10 games starting from January to mid-February. Nebraska has struggled offensively and with rebounding.
Key Players: Kansas - Junior guard/forward Danielle McCray, sophomore center Krysten Boogaard, senior guard Ivana Catic, junior guard Sade Morris; Nebraska - Junior forward Cory Montgomery, junior guard Yvonne Turner, sophomore center Catheryn Redmon, sophomore guard Dominique Kelley.
Kansas Wins: If McCray continues her strong play. The junior's ability to score inside and from the 3-point line makes her difficult to guard. If she's able to score at least 20, the Jayhawks have a good chance of winning.
Nebraska Wins: If the Cornhuskers take care of the ball and force Kansas into mistakes. Nebraska can boost its offensive production by getting easy baskets from turnovers. The Jayhawks are last in the Big 12 in turnover margin.
Previously: The teams split their two regular-season meetings. Nebraska won at home, 67-58, on Jan. 21 while Kansas won in Lawrence, 70-57, on Feb. 28.
Big 12 Championship History: Kansas is 8-12 in Big 12 postseason play, while Nebraska is 7-12.
Up Next: The winner of this game plays No. 1 seed Oklahoma at 11 a.m. Friday in the quarterfinals.

No. 5 Kansas State (23-6) vs. No. 12 Colorado (11-17)
11 a.m. Thursday, Cox Cable
Kansas State Up To Now: The Wildcats lost four of their last eight games but most of those defeats can be attributed to senior point guard Shalee Lehning being limited by mononucleosis. Three of Kansas State's six Big 12 losses came on the road to ranked teams. Junior forward Ashley Sweat is the team's top scorer.
Colorado Up To Now: The Buffaloes were derailed when junior guard Whitney Houston was lost for the season to a knee injury. Inexperience and a lack of depth contributed to Colorado finishing last in the standings. Sophomore forward Brittany Smith is an outstanding all-around player who leads the team in scoring and rebounding.
Key Players: Kansas State - Senior guard Shalee Lehning, senior forward Marlies Gipson, junior forward Ashley Sweat; Colorado - Sophomore forward Brittany Spears, senior center Kara Richards, junior guard Bianca Smith.
Kansas State Wins: If Shalee Lehning shines. These teams played last Saturday in Boulder and the Wildcats won behing Lehning's triple double. Lehning, a senior point guard, has been recovering from mononucleosis. If she can get the ball to forwards Ashley Sweat and Marlies Gipson, Kansas State should win.
Colorado Wins: If the Buffaloes bring the defensive pressure. Colorado is last in the Big 12 in scoring defense and next to last in scoring offense. The Buffs can advance to the quarterfinals only if they force some turnovers and keep Lehning out of the lane.
Previously: Kansas State won both games - 72-60 in Manhattan on Feb. 21 and 71-61 in Boulder on March 7.
Big 12 Championship History: Kansas State is 11-12 in Big 12 postseason play, while Colorado is 8-11.
Up Next: The winner of this game plays No. 4 seed Texas A&M at 1:30 p.m. Friday in the quarterfinals.

No. 7 Texas Tech (16-14) vs. No. 10 Oklahoma State (15-14)
7:30 p.m. Thursday, Cox Cable
Lady Raiders Up To Now: Texas Tech had a promising beginning to conference play, knocking off Texas in Lubbock. The Lady Raiders, though, followed that up by losing three of their next four. Tech closed out conference play by losing five of its last seven.
Cowgirls Up To Now: Oklahoma State, which made the NCAA Tournament last seson, has had a disappointing season. At the beginning of February, the Cowgirls faced a five-game schedule of Texas, Oklahoma, Baylor, Kansas State and Texas. Oklahoma State won just one of those games. Junior guard Andrea Riley led the Big 12 in scoring but the Cowgirls lacked second and third scorers.
Key Players: Texas Tech - Senior forward Dominic Seals, junior guard Jordan Murphree; freshman center Kierra Mallard; Oklahoma State - Junior guard Andrea Riley, senior forward Shaunte Smith, junior forward Tegan Cunningham.
Texas Tech Wins: If it controls the pace. The Lady Raiders can't afford to get in a full-court contest with Oklahoma State. Texas Tech has its most success if the game stays in the 60s. A fast-paced game would favor Oklahoma State and point guard Andrea Riley.
Oklahoma State Wins: If someone other than Andrea Riley steps forward as a scorer. Riley is jet quick and capable of scoring 30.
Previously: The teams split their two regular-season game with each winning on the other's court. Oklahoma State won 65-60 in Lubbock on Jan. 31 while Texas Tech won in Stillwater 74-70 on Feb. 21.
Big 12 Championship History: Texas Tech is 13-10 in Big 12 postseason play, while Oklahoma State is 8-12.
Up Next: The winner of this game plays No. 2 seed Baylor at 5 p.m. Friday in the quarterfinals.

No. 6 Texas (20-10) vs. No. 11 Missouri (13-16)
5 p.m. Thursday, Cox Cable
Longhorns Up To Now: The Longhorns appeared to be gaining momentum when they put together a five-game winning streak to start February. But Texas frittered that away with a stumbling finish. UT struggled offensively as it lost five of its last six. Senior forward Ashley Lindsey has been steady. Junior guard Brittainey Raven is one of two Longhorns averaging double figures.
Tigers Up To Now: Missouri never recovered from losing eight of its first nine Big 12 games. Alyssa Hollins is the only senior on the roster and the Tigers' inexperience showed as they battled through the Big 12 season. Missouri displayed some of its potential with a 52-43 victory over Kansas State on Feb. 18.
Key Players: Texas - Junior guard Brittainey Raven, freshman forward Ashleigh Fontenette; sophomore guard Kathleen Nash; Missouri - Senior guard Alyssa Hollins, junior forward Jessra Johnson, sophomore guard RaeShara Brown.
Texas Wins: If its offense wakes up. The Longhorns have plenty of depth but they need to have key players like Raven and Nash step forward with offensive contributions. In its last five games, Texas is averaging 18 turnovers and just eight assists. Those numbers need to be less skewed.
Missouri Wins: If it forces turnovers. Texas has struggled offensively in recent games, particularly when it comes to ball security. If the Tigers - who are second in the conference in forcing turnovers - can disrupt the Longhorns and produce some easy baskets, they've got the ability to pull an upset.
Previously: Texas won at Missouri, 66-56, on Feb. 24.
Big 12 Championship History: Texas is 15-11 in Big 12 postseason play, while Missouri is 6-12.
Up Next: The winner of this game plays No. 3 seed Iowa State at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the quarterfinals.