Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. West Virginia Mountaineers Betting Preview
The Big 12 tournament features several compelling games, but none more so than the 5th seeded Oklahoma State Cowboys (18-7) versus the 4th seeded West Virginia Mountaineers (18-8). This game will take place at the T-Mobile Center, with tipoff scheduled for 11:30 am ET.
This will be the second game in a row that these two will matchup as the Cowboys beat the Mountaineers 85-80 in the regular-season finale. In the victory, Avery Anderson III scored 31 points while Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe added 18. In the loss, Taz Sherman scored 20 points for the Mountaineers.
After the Mountaineers won the first matchup 87-84 back in January, Thursday’s matchup will serve as the tiebreaker.
West Virginia comes in as slight favorites. They are -162 to win, while Oklahoma State’s moneyline sits at +136. The spread features the Cowboys +2.5 while the over/under for total points is 151.
By The Numbers
Offensively, West Virginia has been the slightly stronger team this season. They rank 34th in the nation in scoring averaging 77.6 points per game. Oklahoma State comes in 46th averaging 76.7 points per game.
Defensively, these two are pretty similar as well. West Virginia ranks 213th in the nation in scoring defense, allowing opponents 72.1 points per game (82 over their last three). Oklahoma State ranks 216th allowing 72.3 points per game.
Oklahoma State Hopes To Make It Two In A Row
After losing the first matchup back in January, the Oklahoma State Cowboys got their redemption in the final matchup of the regular season. Now, when it matters most, the Cowboys are hoping they can do it again to move on in the Big 12 conference tournament.
Leading the way for the Cowboys are guards Cade Cunningham and Avery Anderson III. While it was Anderson who went off in their last matchup, Cunningham has been the stronger player to date. This season, he has averaged 19.7 points on 45.5% shooting. He is also averaging 6.3 points, 3.5 assists, and 1.4 steals per game.
For Anderson, he is averaging 11.1 points on 47.8% shooting. Additionally, he is averaging four rebounds, two assists, and 1.3 steals.
Other contributors include Kalib Boone (9.9 points, 5.4 points), Isaac Likekele (9.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists), and Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe (9.4 points, 5.2 rebounds).
After missing the last matchup against West Virginia, Cunningham (ankle) and Likekele (hand) are expected to play in this one.
West Virginia Hopes To Win Tiebreaker
It was a disappointing loss in the season finale, especially losing on their home court, but the Mountaineers can ease the pain with a win over the Cowboys Thursday.
Sophomore guard Miles McBride has led the way for West Virginia. He leads the team in points (15.3), assists (4.7), and steals (1.8) per game.
West Virginia actually has four players averaging double digits. Other major contributors include Derek Culver (14.8 points, 9.8 rebounds), Taz Sherman (13.4 points), and Sean McNeil (11.9 points).
Taking Oklahoma State And The Points
These two teams have played each other twice this season, and both have been fantastic games that have gone down to the wire. In these two games combined, the point differential is +2 for Oklahoma State.
With the Cowboys being spotted 2.5 points, this seems like an easy call when you take into account the first two games. These teams both have the talent to win this game, which means I will take Oklahoma State and the points.
