Audi Crooks Reunion Headlines Big 12 Schedule Release

If there wasn't already enough anticipation surrounding Oklahoma State basketball, the release of the Big 12 conference schedules only added to the excitement.

Let's start on the women's side.

One of the biggest storylines in the entire conference will involve Audi Crooks. After transferring from Iowa State, the nation's leading scorer will face her former team twice this season as the Cowgirls and Cyclones were paired as one of Oklahoma State's three home-and-home opponents along with Colorado and Kansas.

Circle those dates.

Not only was Crooks one of the faces of Iowa State basketball, but she's also an Iowa native. Hilton Coliseum is already one of the toughest environments in the country, and her return to Ames could become one of the most anticipated games on the Big 12 schedule.

Overall, Oklahoma State will face 12 teams once, with six games at home and six on the road. Home contests against TCU, Arizona State and West Virginia stand out after all three teams reached the NCAA Tournament last season. Meanwhile, road trips to BYU, Utah, UCF and Houston appear more favorable on paper.

On the men's side, Steve Lutz and the Cowboys will once again navigate what might be the toughest conference in college basketball.

Ten Big 12 opponents reached the NCAA Tournament last season. Oklahoma State drew home-and-home series with TCU, Utah and Iowa State, the latter coming off a Sweet 16 appearance. Road trips to Allen Fieldhouse to face Kansas and to Houston against an Elite Eight team will provide two of the toughest tests in the country.

Gallagher-Iba Arena, however, should have plenty of marquee nights.

Arizona, a Final Four team last season, visits Stillwater, as does Texas Tech. Another intriguing matchup comes when Jordan Burks faces his former UCF teammates after transferring to Oklahoma State.

These schedules are another reminder why the Big 12 continues to be regarded as the premier conference in college basketball.

With star transfers, emotional reunions and NCAA Tournament-caliber opponents filling both schedules, Oklahoma State fans should have plenty of reasons to believe Gallagher-Iba Arena will once again become one of the most entertaining venues in the conference.

The countdown to basketball season just became a little easier.