Tag: Oklahoma State Cowboys

Three reasons why Oklahoma lost 83-66 to Oklahoma State in Bedlam

It just wasn’t Oklahoma’s day. Here are three reasons why the Sooners lost to their in-state rival 83-66.

It just wasn’t Oklahoma’s day.

The Sooners had a must-win on the road at Oklahoma State on Saturday, and instead fell flat when they needed it most.

Head coach Lon Kruger got abysmal performances from two of his best players and hardly any of the supporting cast helped out. This makes the final  four games even that important to keep the NCAA Tournament hopes alive.

Here are three reasons why Oklahoma lost to its in-state rival 83-66.

LACK OF INTERIOR DEFENSE

Oklahoma, who held its own against the Baylor’s and West Virginia’s of the world inside the paint, could not keep its in-state rival out of it.

The Cowboys got whatever they wanted against the Sooners inside. Oklahoma got outscored 36-22 in the paint.

That just won’t get the job done.

POOR SHOOTING

Everyone knows Oklahoma needs Brady Manek, Kristian Doolittle and Austin Reaves on to be running at full speed.

The Sooners shot a combined 7-of-26 from the 3-point line for 26.9 percent shooting and 38.2 percent shooting total.

That, too, just won’t get it done.

NO MANEK, NO DOOLITTLE

The Sooners got what it needed from one of its trio that it hadn’t in awhile.

Austin Reaves scored 22 points on 6-of-14 shooting and went 9-of-11 from the free throw line. Reaves, though, went 1-of-5 from beyond the arc.

For some reason, Lon Kruger can’t get a combined effort from his big trio. Kristian Doolittle and Brady Manek combined for 5-of-19 shooting, including 1-of-9 from three, for 15 points.

That, also, won’t get it done.

Oklahoma a small underdog on the road at Oklahoma State for Bedlam

Believe it or not, Oklahoma is not expected to win today in Stillwater. That’s if you trust our friends out in Las Vegas. 

Believe it or not, Oklahoma is not expected to win today in Stillwater.

That’s if you trust our friends out in Las Vegas.

The Sooners make the short trip to Stillwater, Oklahoma, for a must-win Bedlam game against Oklahoma State. Mike Boynton and his Cowboys have had a trying-year, but have played better basketball over the last month.

Oklahoma State has won its last two home games against TCU and Texas Tech. Oklahoma has lost its last two games to top-ranked Baylor and on the road at Kansas.

That has all added up the Cowboys being 1.5-point favorites over their in-state rival Sooners, according to BetMGM.

Odds via BetMGM. Access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Feb. 22  at 1:45 p.m. ET. 

Oklahoma has been an odd team in 2019-20. The Sooners will win the games they are supposed to at home, lose some they aren’t supposed to on the road. Brady Manek will have a big game and then Kristian Doolittle will, but neither will have them at the same time.

The total for the game is set 139.5.

Want to get in on the action? Place your bet now at BetMGM.

Oklahoma and Oklahoma State are set to tip-off from historic Gallagher-Iba Arena at 3 p.m. CT. The game can be seen on ESPN.

*Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

 

Three keys for Oklahoma against Oklahoma State (Bedlam)

In their first matchup, the Sooners pulled away in the early stages of the second half to cruise to an 82-69 win.

Oklahoma (16-10, 6-7) and Oklahoma State (13-13, 3-10) square off in the second and final edition of Bedlam during the regular season. In their first matchup, the Sooners pulled away in the early stages of the second half to cruise to an 82-69 win.

For Oklahoma to get the sweep, here is what needs to happen.

INSIDE OUT

The Sooners need to learn how to live in the paint. With Brady Manek and Kristian Doolittle, Oklahoma should not have to settle for jump shots. Despite the more than able duo, the Sooners have been settling for poor shots in mid-range and taking contested threes in transition. If Oklahoma wants to survive and make the NCAA Tournament they should start getting the ball as close to the hoop as possible.

LET ALONDES FLY

At Thursday’s practice, Alondes Williams nearly ended Risk Issanza’s career before it even began. Williams threw down a left-handed tomahawk over Issanza to bring practice to a halt while everyone ooed and awed at Williams’ athleticism at Issanza’s expense. Williams continues to improve every day with better and better performances nearly each and every time out. If the offense stalls out, Oklahoma should do everything they can to get the ball in Williams’ hands to spark the Sooners’ offense.

CONTINUE THE DEFENSE

Oklahoma has been nearly elite on the defensive end of the floor since Big 12 play began. Keeping that energy against the Cowboys will be key to stop the Cowboys from catching fire against the Sooners. As much as the offense is important for Oklahoma, the defense is important tenfold. Look for the Sooners to set the tone on defense early.

The Sooners and Cowboys tip off at 3p.m. CT on ESPN2. For more broadcast details, click here.

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When, where, how to watch Oklahoma-Oklahoma State (Bedlam)

Oklahoma (16-10, 6-7) and Oklahoma State (13-13, 3-10) duke it out one last time in the regular season in Stillwater, Okla.

Oklahoma (16-10, 6-7) and Oklahoma State (13-13, 3-10) duke it out one last time in the regular season in Stillwater, Okla.

The Sooners are coming off two tough losses against No. 3 Kansas on the road and No. 1 Baylor at home. This edition of Bedlam is as close to a must-win as it can be for Oklahoma.

The Cowboys, having found three Big 12 wins since the two teams met, are coming off a tough loss to No. 18 West Virginia, losing in Morgantown, W. Va., 65-47.

This game means a lot for the Sooners as they are currently slotted as a nine-seed per the Bracket Matrix. For Oklahoma to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament, they must first take care of the Cowboys.

Here is where you can find the game.

WHERE: Gallagher-Iba Arena (Stillwater, Okla.)

WHEN: 3:00 p.m. CT

HOW TO WATCH: ESPN2

HOW TO LISTEN: Sooner Sports Radio Network—KOKC AM 1520 and KRXO 107.7 FM in OKC, KMOD FM 97.5 and KTBZ AM 1430 in Tulsa (click here for more options if not in either of those markets)

HOW TO STREAM: WATCH ESPN

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Oklahoma not cutting corners during final push to the Big Dance

Head coach Lon Kruger had his team listening acutely to every word coming out of his mouth.

Simply put—Oklahoma’s practice on Thursday was intense.

Head coach Lon Kruger had his team listening acutely to every word coming out of his mouth. Assistant coaches Jim Molinari and Carlin Hartman were barking orders for their guys to compete for all of practice, their voices echoing off the walls of the practice gym inside the Lloyd Noble Center.

“We got to be more physical. We’re still working in that direction, moving in that direction,” Kruger told media after practice. “Certainly much improved over two weeks ago, over a month ago and we still got two and a half weeks left, we gotta continue to move in a good direction.”

Kruger saw it as fitting to have a physical practice as the Sooners have faced more physical opponents over the past month.

“When you think about two weeks ago, we’re much farther along right now than we were prior to the West Virginia game,” Kruger said. “Playing against teams like West Virginia, like Baylor, like Kansas, like anyone in the league really, you’re getting experience every time you play.”

While getting better, the Sooner’s physicality went passed the whistle on occasion.

“I would say (practice), it was really physical,” Brady Manek said. “Kinda put the better players against each other four on four and kinda went at it.  (We) Had a couple guys get into it, it was very competitive.”

Oklahoma needs that competitive fire as they come down the home stretch into March. Following two tough losses to No. 3 Kansas on the road and No. 1 Baylor at home, the Sooners have just five more regular-season games to plead their case to the NCAA Tournament selection committee.

Currently slotted as a nine-seed via Bracket Matrix, Oklahoma has to take care of business against lesser opponents in the Big 12. The Sooners still control their own destiny as they square off against two tournament teams in No. 18 West Virginia and current eight-seed Texas Tech left to play once more.

By the looks of Thursday’s practice, Oklahoma is ready to turn up the intensity as they look to solidify a spot in the Big Dance.

The Sooners return to action on Saturday at 3 p.m. CT against Oklahoma State on the road.

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Oklahoma still in control of their own destiny in latest bracketology

According to Bracket Matrix, Oklahoma would be the last nine-seed to get into the NCAA Tournament.

Oklahoma (16-10, 6-7) has dropped two-straight games against No. 3 Kansas and No. 1 Baylor, despite playing well for the majority of both matchups. With a key matchup against Oklahoma State in Stillwater on Saturday, the Sooners have to take care of teams they should beat to find themselves in the Big Dance.

According to Bracket Matrix, Oklahoma would be the last nine-seed to get into the NCAA Tournament. The three other nine-seeds being Florida, Southern Cal, and Witchita State. The Sooners the Shockers earlier this season, losing 80-75 on the road.

Other Big 12 schools to make the Tournament include Baylor and Kansas as the top two seeds in the entire tournament, West Virginia as a four-seed, and Texas Tech as an eight-seed.

Following Saturday’s Bedlam matchup, Oklahoma plays host to Texas Tech next Tuesday before closing out February with a trip to Morgantown, West Virginia next Saturday.

The Sooners can solidify their case to be in the big dance over the next two weeks as they still hold their own destiny.

Oklahoma and Oklahoma State are set to tip-off at 3p.m. CT on Saturday. The game can be found on ESPN2.

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Oklahoma State at West Virginia college basketball odds, picks and best bets

Analyzing Tuesday’s Oklahoma State Cowboys at West Virginia Mountaineers betting odds and lines, with college basketball picks and tips.

The Oklahoma State Cowboys (13-12) head to Morgantown, W.Va to clash with the West Virginia Mountaineers (18-7) at the WVU Coliseum at 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Oklahoma State-West Virginia odds and betting lines, with college basketball betting advice and tips around this matchup.

Oklahoma State at West Virginia: Three things you need to know

  1. West Virginia stifled Oklahoma State in their first meeting this season Jan 6. The Mountaineers forced 19 Cowboys turnovers, held them to 1 of 20 from 3-point range and 29.2% from the field in the 55-41 victory.
  2. The Cowboys come into this match having won three of their last four games. Their wins came against Big XII teams after starting the season 0-8 against conference opponents.
  3. The Mountaineers have lost three straight, including a 70-59 loss to the No. 1 Baylor Bears and a 58-49 loss to the No. 3 Kansas Jayhawks Wednesday and Saturday, respectively. 

Get some action on this college basketball matchup or others by placing a legal sports bet at BetMGM! New customer offer: Risk-free first bet! Visit BetMGM for terms and conditions.

Oklahoma State at West Virginia: Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:45 p.m. ET.

Prediction

West Virginia 68, Oklahoma State 63

Moneyline (ML)

PASS ON THE MONEYLINE. Oklahoma State (+450) has beaten West Virginia (-625) in four of the last six head-to-head meetings, including winning both games in last season’s series. The 2018-19 campaign was a down year for the Mountaineers who finished with fewer than 20 wins after four consecutive 20-win seasons.

Also, this is a get-right game for West Virginia who needs a victory to prevent a freefall in the Big XII standings.

Against the Spread (ATS)

Since 2016, Oklahoma State is 20-14-1 against the spread as a road dog and West Virginia is 24-24 as a home favorite. Furthermore, the Mountaineers have struggled as a favorite in that same time span, going 39-50-2 ATS.

The main reason why I LIKE OKLAHOMA STATE +10.5 (-110) is because of the over adjustment made by BetMGM after their first game against West Virginia. The Mountaineers clobbered them, 55-41, and easily covered the 1.5-point spread, but the Cowboys have had recent success against West Virginia and are 4-3 ATS on the road against teams above .500.  

Over/Under (O/U)

Both teams have stout defenses and below-average offenses. The Cowboys rank a respectable 42nd in opponent field-goal percentage and 85th in 3-point percentage, and the Mountaineers are 253rd and 316th in field-goal percentage and 3-point percentage. Oklahoma State could struggle as much offensively in this game as it did their first meeting. The Cowboys rank 287th in points per game, 297th in FG% and 310th in 3-point percentage going against a West Virginia defense ranked 21st in opponent PPG and ninth in opponent FG% and third in 3-point percentage.

We are on West Virginia to win outright so it makes sense for the game to be played more at their tempo. West Virginia has cashed the most Unders in the Big XII this season with a 7-18 Over/Under record. BET UNDER 135.5 (-110). 

Want some action on this matchup? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @Geoffery_Clark and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Brady Manek explodes while Kristian Doolittle makes history in 82-69 Bedlam win

He couldn’t be stopped. Brady Manek was absolutely electric.

Manek for three… BANG!

He couldn’t be stopped. Brady Manek was absolutely electric. Every time he touched the ball the crowd immediately began to rise from their seats, anticipating another drop in the bucket.

Of his 30 points, Manek dropped 22 in the first half, aiding Oklahoma (14-7, 4-4) to a 13-point halftime lead. Falling just short of tying his carrer-high of 31 points, Manek was just glad to get a much-needed win.

After laying an egg the road against Kansas State both personally and as a team, Manek said everyone wanted to bounce back from the loss with a win over Oklahoma State (10-11, 0-8).

Although Manek was the prime scorer, Alondes Williams and Austin Reaves both had great nights, respectively. Reaves also nearly tied his career-high of 23 points but fell shy with 21. Williams, again came up big time with 12 points, his third-straight game hitting double-digits off the bench.

“(Williams has) been amazing,” Reaves told reporters. “He gives us a spark off the bench, someone that can create a shot not just for himself, but others… He gives us fastbreak points, plays good defense, I think he’s been really good.”

“He’s done a really nice job defensively,” Lon Kruger added about Williams. “It’s kinda like having a new person in the rotation when Alondes is playing like that.”

Williams’ maturation and evolution as a player since the start of the season has been quite the sight to see. Williams began the year in the starting lineup before being asked to come off the bench. Over the past four games, Williams has began to flourish in the role.

Lost in the scoring outbursts, Kristian Doolittle quietly joined Oklahoma’s 1,000-point club. Doolittle becomes the second Sooner this season and the 47th overall to reach the milestone.

Doolittle brushed the personal accolade aside, focusing on the Bedlam win telling reporters that he will “focus on the personal accolades later.”

The Sooners hit the road on Tuesday, paying a visit to Texas Tech at 8p.m. Further broadcast details have yet to be released.

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Oklahoma State RB Chuba Hubbard returning for senior season

Oklahoma State running back Chuba Hubbard is returning to school for his senior season instead of entering the 2020 NFL draft

One of the top running back prospects in the country is returning to school for his senior season.

Oklahoma State’s Chuba Hubbard is passing up the 2020 NFL draft to play his senior season for the Cowboys. Hubbard announced his decision via his Twitter Monday.

The 2020 class of running backs is incredibly deep. Returning for his senior season gives Hubbard a chance to refine his game and boost his draft stock even further. A strong performance in 2020 could see him enter the first-round pick conversation heading into the 2021 NFL draft.

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Oklahoma State WR Tylan Wallace returning to school for 2020 season

Oklahoma State wide receiver Tylan Wallace is opting to return to school rather than enter the 2020 NFL draft

One of the more intriguing wide receiver prospects in the nation is returning to school instead of making the early jump to the pros.

Oklahoma State’s Tylan Wallace is returning to the Cowboys for the 2020 season, rather than entering the 2020 NFL draft. He announced his decision on Twitter.

Wallace was considered by some to be a top-10 prospect in his position group in the 2020 draft class, Wallace finished the 2019 season with 903 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. Unfortunately for him, a tear in his ACL cut his season short. Wallace is electing to return to school for a chance to finish his college career on a better note.

If he’s able to stay healthy and return to the level of play he enjoyed before his injury, Wallace will be a wide receiver to keep a close eye on next season.

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