March is upon us, and the No. 7 Oklahoma Sooners (14-7, 9-6 Big 12) battle the Oklahoma State Cowboys (16-6, 9-6 Big 12) in an in-state Big 12 Conference matchup on Monday night. Monday’s contest is the back end of a home-and-home doubleheader between the two rivals that saw the Oklahoma State upset the Sooners on Saturday, 94-90 in overtime.
The tipoff is set for 9 pm ET inside Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, OK. Oklahoma State is a one-point favorite over Oklahoma, according to oddsmakers.
What to Know – Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma looks to bounce back after Saturday’s loss to the Cowboys, preceded by a loss at Kansas State earlier last week. The Sooners wrap up the regular season Thursday night at home against the Texa Longhorns.
The Sooners rank fourth in the league both in scoring offense (75.6 ppg) and scoring defense (68.6 ppg). Oklahoma shoots 44.3% from the floor and 33.2% beyond the arc. Defensively, the Sooners hold opponents to 41.3% from the field and 35.4% from three.
Guards De’Vion Harmon (23 points) and Austin Reaves (22 points) did most of the damage offensively for Oklahoma in game one against the Cowboys on Saturday. The Sooners shot 49.3% (33-of-67) from the floor but made only 70% (14-of-20) of their free throws.
OU is 12-8-1 against the spread this season with a 1-4 mark over their last five games. The Sooners are 4-4-1 ATS away from home and 9-5-1 in conference games.
What to Know – Oklahoma State Cowboys
The Cowboys ride into March on a four-game winning streak with a tough stretch of contests to close out the regular season. Okie State will face No. 2 Baylor and No 10 West Virginia to wrap up their regular-season slate.
Oklahoma State sits in third in scoring offense, averaging 76.5 points per game while shooting 45.6% from the field (second in the Big 12) and 33.7% from the three-point line. The Cowboys defense surrenders 71.41 points per game and holds opponents to 40.6% shooting from the field (second in the Big 12) and a league-best 31.9% from three.
Cade Cunningham erupted for a season-high 40 points in Saturday’s victory. The talented freshman added 11 rebounds for his second double-double of the season. Oklahoma State outrebounded the Sooners 45-28 but committed 20 turnovers and got just seven points from their bench.
The Cowboys are 12-9-1 ATS and 10-5 over their last fifteen games. Oklahoma State 6-6 ATS at home and 9-6 against Big 12 opponents.
The Pick is In
The Cowboys turn the ball over often but were able to get away with it on Saturday thanks to a heroic effort from Cunningham and a +17 rebounding advantage over the host. Oklahoma State has the better defense, but the Sooners show Saturday that they have the ability to score against it. Oklahoma needs this one after back-to-back losses and will need to play inspired defensively and crash the boards.
This will be another close matchup between two quality teams, but Oklahoma will do a better job on the boards and even the season series against their in-state conference rival.
The Pick: Oklahoma Sooners +1
