Big XII Men’s Recap and Preview

Tagged with: Big XII

TCU, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State started off Big XII play undefeated.

Oklahoma State really had themselves a weekend. They moved up 3 spots in the rankings to #11 after beating #29 Texas Tech 4-0 and #19 Baylor 4-3. The Cowboys started off on Friday by sweeping the Red Raiders, winning the doubles point and all three singles in straight sets. The win was their first in a Big 12 opener since 2007, and was also the first sweep of a Big 12 team since 2007. OSU then had a dramatic win on Sunday against Baylor. OSU won the doubles point, but then found themselves down after 2 straight set wins by Baylor at #2 and #3 singles. The match was back and forth, with it all coming down to #6 singles with Leftherios Theodorou (OKST) defeating Akos Kotorman (BU) 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7-2).

OU also hosted Baylor and Texas Tech this past weekend, and equaled OSU to go 2-0 as well. On Friday Oklahoma lost the doubles point despite getting a big win (6-0) at #1 doubles by Jake Van Emburgh and Ferran Calvo against the #3 team in the nation, Baylors Will Little and Johannes Schretter. OU would fight back with the help of their home crowd to win some impressive singles matches to win the match 4-2. On Sunday against Texas Tech, OU would again drop the doubles point. But again OU fought back with strong singles play, winning 4 singles matches in straight sets. Texas Tech was one game from winning at #2 singles, and was at 1-1 in the third set at #5 singles.

Between all of that action, there was plenty of drama on Saturday when Texas hosted TCU. The doubles point came down to a tiebreaker at #2, with TCU winning 7-3. TCU would extend their lead to 3-0 after a pair of straight set singles wins, but the Longhorns would fight back and put 2 singles wins on the board. TCU finally found that 4^th point at #3 singles with Guillermo Nuez defeating Harrison Scott 6-7 (4), 6-0, 7-6 (4). The #2 singles match was suspended (6-2, 6-7 (7), 5-5) with both players having saved match points.

This weekend it is Oklahoma and Oklahoma State turns to go on the road. They will play in Austin and Fort Worth.

Texas hosts Oklahoma State Friday at 4:00. OSU won their meeting last year 4-2. Texas then plays Oklahoma Sunday around 4:00 (following a womens match). Texas won a tough one last year in Norman 4-3. It was also head coach Michael Centers 500^th career victory.

TCU will play OU on Friday at 5:30. TCU handled the Sooners comfortably last year, beating them twice in Norman (4-0 in the regular season, and 4-1 in the conference tournament). This year will be another top 15 showdown. On Sunday the Horned Frogs play OSU at 1:00. Oklahoma States last victory against TCU was in 2014 in Fort Worth, with OSU winning the doubles point and #4, #5, and #6 singles all in three sets.

Texas Tech also plays on the road in the lone Big XII match on Saturday against Baylor. Texas Tech will first play at home against Tulsa on Wednesday the 11^th. Then they will travel to Waco to take on the Bears. The last time the Red Raiders were in Waco, they battled for over three and a half hours. Texas Tech won 4-3, overcoming losing the doubles point, and winning the last match on 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 7-6 (7-5).

Things are far from decided for any of these teams. Everyone will be looking to make a statement this weekend. Stay tuned!