Oklahoma State Cowboys at Kansas Jayhawks Betting Preview
On Monday, the No. 3 Kansas Jayhawks (24-3, 13-1 Big 12) host the Oklahoma State Cowboys (14-13, 4-10 Big 12) in a Big 12 Conference matchup inside Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kan. Tip-off is scheduled for 9 pm ET on ESPN.
Kansas is poised to sweep the season series against the Cowboys, winning in Stillwater on Jan. 27 by 15 (65-50). A win Monday will also give the Jayhawks their fifth straight victory over the Cowboys. The Jayhawks are a 15-point favorite.
What to Know – Oklahoma State
Winner of its first eight games, Oklahoma State has struggled during the conference portion of its schedule, tallying just four conference victories. All four of those conference wins have come over the last six games, including a blowout victory over in-state rival Oklahoma on Saturday (83-66). The Cowboys are 1-6 against ranked teams this season and 4-6 on the road.
Senior forward Cameron McGriff (11.4 ppg) is coming off a season-high 28-point performance against the Sooners and has evolved into one of the Cowboys’ most efficient scorers, tallying over 10 points in his last eight contests.
In those eight games, McGriff is averaging 15.5 points and shooting just below 50% from the floor (49.4%). Senior guard Lindy Waters III (10.8 ppg) and sophomore guard Isaac Likekele (10.7 ppg) also supplement OSU’s offensive attack.
The Cowboys enter the new week averaging 67.0 points per game this season. Defensively, OSU surrenders 65.9 ppg allowing teams to shoot 40% from the field and 30.5% from beyond the arc. OSU has eight wins against teams in the AP top-25 under head coach Mike Boynton.
What to Know – Kansas Jayhawks
The Jayhawks head back to Allen Fieldhouse riding a 12-game winning streak, including a road victory over top-ranked Baylor (64-61) on Saturday. The win pushes the Jayhawks into a tie for first place in the Big 12 Conference standings with Baylor with four games left.
Kansas is primed to take over the No. 1 spot in the nation when the polls come out on Monday after knocking off Baylor and seeing Gonzaga and San Diego State fall later in the night. Kansas is 13-1 inside Allen Fieldhouse this season.
Senior center Udoka Azubuike (13.1 ppg, 10.1 rpg) was a force on Saturday against the Bears, scoring 23 points on 11-of-13 shooting from the field and securing a career-high 19 rebounds.
Sophomore guard Devon Dotson continues to be one of the most efficient scorers in the country, leading KU averaging 18.2 points per game and shooting 47.2% from the field. Dotson netted 29 points against Iowa State last Monday, fueled by 11/14 shooting from the field and 6/8 shooting from the arc.
Kansas ranks first in both NET and KenPom rankings through Saturday’s contests. The Jayhawks average a conference-leading 75.0 points per game while allowing 60.7. KU is ninth in the country with a 48.9% field goal percentage and holds opponents to just 37.5% shooting from the field.
The Pick is In
Coming off a hard-fought road victory just two days prior, it’s tough to see the Jayhawks being highly motivated for this one. Kansas should win with ease, but this could be a trap game for the host. Give us Oklahoma State +15.
