Oklahoma State (16-11) at West Virginia (15-12)
When: Monday, February 20th 2023
Where: WVU Coliseum,
Morgantown, WV
Time: 7:00 ET | TV: ESPN
Opening Odds: West Virginia -5/143.5
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Two Big 12 teams trending in the wrong direction at the most critical time of the season will square-off Monday night in Morgantown, as the Oklahoma State Cowboys visit the West Virginia Mountaineers. Two weeks ago, both of these teams were easily in the NCAA Tournament discussion, but recent struggles have made this a big game. The Cowboys have followed a four-game winning streak with back-to-back losses and their defense is to blame. Oklahoma State has one of the best defenses in the country, but have allowed 187 points in their last two setbacks and allowed those opponents to shoot 60.7 percent from the floor.
Meanwhile, West Virginia has dropped three in a row after Saturday’s 78-72 home loss to Texas Tech. During the streak, the Mountaineers have averaged just 66.3 points a game, while allowing their opponents to shoot 51.7 percent from beyond the arc. West Virginia managed to hold Oklahoma State to 5-of-16 from 3-point land in the first meeting, but it wasn’t enough. The Cowboys earned the 67-60 home win back on Jan. 2. West Virginia had just two players score in double-digits and shot a putrid 36.5 percent from the floor. Oklahoma State is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings.
The Cowboys are coming off a 100-75 loss at TCU on Saturday. They trailed by 20 at the break and couldn’t muster a comeback. Oklahoma State was outrebounded 33-21 and outshot 68.4 percent to 46.3. Bryce Thompson led the way with 18 points, while John-Michael Wright had 15 points. The Pokes also had only 17 assists on their 75 points, while TCU recorded 28 assists. Oklahoma State is 4-6 in road games this season and 5-8 ATS away from home (neutral included). The offense has struggled without guard Avery Anderson III, who hasn’t played since Feb. 1 and remains out after undergoing surgery on his wrist.
West Virginia went into Saturday’s game as a 6-point home favorite against Texas Tech, but dropped a 78-72 decision to the Red Raiders. The Mountaineers struggled to 43.5 percent shooting and were outrebounded 39-28. Erik Stevenson, who led the Mountaineers with 17 points in the first meeting with Oklahoma State, poured in 27 points on Saturday. Stevenson scored just 16 total points in the previous three games combined. Kedrian Thompson (20 points) was the only other player to score more than five points on Saturday.
West Virginia is not a very good team and shouldn’t be favored by five points in this one. They were 6-point favorites on Saturday and lost outright. Oklahoma State’s defense will keep this one close.
Pick: Oklahoma State +5
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