It’s a non-conference battle on the hardwood when a team from the Big 12 travels to face one from the Horizon League in the Great Lakes State. The Oklahoma State Cowboys are on the road as they travel to face the Oakland Golden Grizzlies Sunday afternoon. Oklahoma State came up on the short end against Southern Illinois, falling 61-60 at home Thursday night to lose outright as an eight-point favorite. Oakland was knocked off 87-82 by Bowling Green at home Friday night, losing outright as an eight-point favorite. The teams split two previous meetings with the Golden Grizzlies taking a 56-55 road win in the most recent matchup on November 12, 2021.
I just won $8,500 in parlay tickets. Don't miss out on another big payday! Click here to get a month of my parlays for only $50 (normally $100)!
For the second straight year, Oklahoma State stumbled at home against a mid-major program early in the season. Last season, it was this Oakland squad that tripped them up while this season, it was Southern Illinois that knocked the Cowboys off to drop them to 1-1 on the year. Against Southern Illinois, Oklahoma State trailed 13-4 early before rallying to lead 33-28 at the half. In the second half, the Cowboys opened with an 8-0 run to take a 13-point lead and led most of the final 20 minutes. Oklahoma State still led 59-51 with 4:10 to play in the contest only to get outscored 10-1 the rest of the way, giving up the game-winning three-pointer with 22 seconds to play. The Cowboys had two final chances to win only to turn the ball over on the first possession and then Bryce Thompson missed a jumper in the final seconds. Oklahoma State shot 42.1% from the field, including four of 16 from three-point range, and hurt themselves by clanking half of their 16 free throw attempts. Avery Anderson III (five steals) and Thompson (seven rebounds) each had 14 points to lead the Cowboys in the loss.
The Cowboys are putting up an average of 68.5 points per game on the offensive end of the floor, putting them 242nd in the nation in scoring offense. Oklahoma State pulls down an average of 41.5 rebounds per contest while dishing out an average of 11.5 assists a night. The Cowboys have been above average defensively, surrendering an average of 63.5 points per contest, putting them 125th in the nation in scoring defense. Bryce Thompson leads the team and is one of two players averaging in double figures with 16 points per game this season. Avery Anderson III (10.5 points, five boards) is the other player scoring in double figures for the Cowboys. John-Michael Wright, Kalib Boone, Caleb Asberry, Moussa Cisse, Woody Newton, Tyreek Smith, Chris Harris Jr. and Quion Williams are all solid contributors in the rotation. Oklahoma State is shooting 42.7% from the field this season. The Cowboys connect on five three-pointers a night while shooting 24.4% from beyond the arc on the year. Oklahoma State has to be better at the free throw line as they convert only 62.8% of their attempts on the year.