Oklahoma State Cowboys at West Virginia Mountaineers Betting Preview
The No. 12 Oklahoma State Cowboys (18-7, 11-7 Big 12) take on the No. 10 West Virginia Mountaineers (18-8, 11-6 Big 12) in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Conference Tournament. WV is the four-seed while the Cowboys enter as the five-seed in the tournament.
The winner will face off against the Baylor/Kansas State game-winner that immediately follows this contest. Thursday’s tipoff is at 11:30 pm ET inside the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, MO.
West Virginia is a three-point favorite over the Cowboys, according to oddsmakers.
What to Know – Oklahoma State Cowboys
Oklahoma State wrapped up their regular season, winning four of their last five games, with their only loss coming at the hands of top-seeded Baylor. The Cowboys knocked off four ranked teams during that stretch, including an 85-80 victory at West Virginia to end the regular season.
The Cowboys score 76.7 points per game behind 46.6% shooting from the floor and 33.8% shooting beyond the arc. Defensively, Oklahoma State surrenders 72.3 points per game while holding teams to 41.0% shooting from the field and 32.1% shooting from three.
Trailing by five at halftime, the Cowboys, without freshman star Cade Cunningham, used a second-half surge to even the season series against the Mountaineers. Oklahoma State got a career-high 31 points from sophomore guard Avery Anderson III who shot 11-of-14 from the floor. As a team, the Cowboys finished 33-of-57 (57.9%) from the floor and outrebounded West Virginia, 38-29.
Oklahoma State wrapped up the regular season with a 15-9-1 record against the spread, including a 6-0 run over their final six games. The Cowboys finished 12-6 in conference games but are only 5-11 in recent games against West Virginia.
What to Know – West Virginia Mountaineers
The Mountaineers closed out the season with a 2-2 record with losses to the Cowboys and Baylor. The two losses were by five points in each contest, including an overtime loss to the #3 ranked Bears.
Offensively, WV averages 77.6 points per game and shoots 42.8% from the floor and 35.9% from the three-point line. West Virginia’s defense allows 72.1 points per game, with opponents shooting 44.2% from the floor and 32.4% from three.
In the loss to the Cowboys, the Mountaineers got a game-high 20 points from guard Taz Sherman. The senior knocked down 7-of-15 (46.7%) shoots and chipped in three steals. Junior forward Derek Culver came off the bench to add 14 points and five rebounds. West Virginia forced 20 turnovers and shot 25-of-60 (41.7%) from the floor.
West Virginia finished with a 13-13 record ATS in the regular season. The Mountaineers were 8-9 ATS in conference play and have gone 1-4-1 over their last six games in March.
The Pick is In
Oklahoma State just knocked off the Mountaineers without their freshman star and a 57.9% shooting effort from the floor. Don’t expect the Cowboys to shoot that well again. Cunningham didn’t suit up in Saturday’s contest due to an ankle injury, so even if he plays Thursday, you shouldn’t expect him to be 100%.
The game will be close between two talented teams, with the Mountaineers pulling away late.
The Pick: West Virginia -3
