NCAAB January 24th Oklahoma State at #10 Texas Betting Preview
Longhorns Try to Stay in the Conference Title Hunt
The Longhorns come into Tuesday’s Oklahoma State at Texas betting matchup at 5-2 in the Big 12 (16-3 overall), tied with Iowa State in the conference with both teams a game back from Kansas State. Kansas is on an uncharacteristic three game losing streak, but KU, Baylor, and TCU are all 5-3 in league play. Basically, this conference is a gauntlet this season.
Oklahoma State (11-8, 3-4) isn’t worried about facing one of the Big 12’s top teams after they just battled back from a 16 point deficit to squeak past #12 Iowa State 61-59 over the weekend. That game was in Stillwater though and OSU is just 2-4 on the road this season, which is why they are +8 point underdogs in Austin.
Why Oklahoma State can Cover +8 Points
The Cowboys will have more room to breathe in this game, after having their expected offensive struggles on Saturday against an Iowa State defense that is one of the top 10 in the country. OSU still managed to shoot a respectable 9-21 (43%) from three point range and Avery Anderson III had 18 points, but that game didn’t have to be that close as Oklahoma State was just 16-28 from the free throw line.
The Cowboys have shown that their defense can hold its own as well, with Iowa State shooting just 2-9 from three point range and only getting to the FT line 12 times. OSU held two opponents under 60 points in their back to back home games, also beating Oklahoma 72-56 last Wednesday. OSU is 2nd in the Big 12 in points allowed (61.9) and is 8th in the entire nation in adjusted defensive efficiency.
It’s possible OSU can find the Longhorns in a “look ahead” spot in the Oklahoma State at Texas betting matchup, as UT has to travel to #4 Tennessee on Saturday in a highly anticipated matchup.
Why Texas Can Cover -8 Points
Tuesday’s meeting wraps up the regular season series between these two teams, with Texas picking up a 56-46 victory in Stillwater on January 7th. If the Longhorns can win by double digits on the road in that game despite shooting just 31% from the field one would think a similar result could be achieved back at the Moody Center where the Horns are 11-1 this season.
Sure Oklahoma State’s defense has looked good the last two games allowing just 57.5 ppg, but those were at home and against Oklahoma’s #9 scoring offense in the Big 12 and an Iowa State team that is 8th in scoring. Texas leads the conference with 80.1 ppg, and the Cowboys have allowed nearly 70 ppg in their last two Big 12 road tilts.
Anderson III is starting to heat up a bit for the Cowboys, but their leading scorer Bryce Thompson (still only 11.3 ppg) has been held to single digits in five of the last six and is questionable after hurting his ankle against Iowa State. That means Texas’ Marcus Carr (17.4 ppg) will easily be the most potent scorer on the court going for 20+ in two of his last three.
Free Oklahoma State at Texas Betting Pick
It’s a tough ask for Oklahoma State to notch a second straight win over a ranked conference foe, especially with this game being on the road. We’ll probably give Texas this W, but will they cover the 8?
The game earlier this month was painful to watch, but these teams usually play each other pretty close in Austin. Texas won 56-51 against OSU at the Moody Center last year but as +10 point favorites and usually when there’s a blowout it goes Oklahoma State’s way. Throw in the Longhorns looking ahead to Tennessee and the Cowboys keep it close here.
Free Pick: Oklahoma State +8
