Two Big 12 teams on the opposite ends of the standings faceoff on Tuesday with a matchup between the Oklahoma State Cowboys (10-12, 2-7 Big 12) and the #4 Houston Cougars (19-3, 6-3 Big 12). Oklahoma State just pulled off a strong win at home over Kansas State, winning 75-72 and covering as 1.5-point home dogs. Houston just lost in Allen Fieldhouse to #8 Kansas 78-65, going down as 1.5-point favorites. This is their only league matchup this season, and they did not play last year as Houston was not yet a member of the Big 12. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 EST from the Fertitta Center in Houston and can be found on ESPN2.
If you are struggling to pick winners, you've come to the right place. We have the best NCAAB Predictions available.
The Oklahoma State Cowboys are coming off a big conference win over Kansas State, but even with that victory they are still in last place in the conference. They have a 2-7 record in league play, and are still a game behind West Virginia at 3-6 to get out of the basement. Unfortunately for the Cowboys, their next three games are all against ranked opponents as they must take on #4 Houston, #23 Oklahoma and #22 BYU in consecutive games. In the Kansas State game, they were led by guard Javon Small with 18 points in the win.
Team effort.
5?? Cowboys in double figures yesterday ??#LetsWork pic.twitter.com/PUN8qRnABx
— OSU Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) February 4, 2024
Small leads OK-State in scoring with 13.9 PPG as a 6'3 junior guard. He is the top shooter on the team with 46 made threes on 40.4% shooting from deep, and also contributes 5.1 RPG and 4.8 APG. He is coming off the 18-point game against Kansas State, and also had a 15 point, 12 rebound, seven assist game in their other win over West Virginia. They one have one other scorer in double figures, but guard Bryce Thompson is out indefinitely with a shoulder injury. This leaves 6'8 freshman forward Eric Dailey Jr. as the next highest scorer with 9.5 PPG while adding 4.9 RPG. John-Michael Wright is a 6'1 senior guard averaging 7.5 PPG, but will be asked to score more with Thompson out. Inside they have 6'11, 245-pound freshman center Brandon Garrison, he is averaging 7.1 PPG and 5.5 RPG.
Oklahoma State is currently ranked 123rd overall according to KenPom. They rank 179th in offensive efficiency and 87th in defensive efficiency. They play at the 218th fastest tempo in college hoops. Joe Lunardi currently has 9 of the 14 teams in the Big 12 advancing to the NCAA Tournament, but Oklahoma State does not make the cut.
Injury Report: Out – Bryce Thompson