Kansas State Wildcats vs. OSU Cowboys: Basketball lineups, TV, time, score prediction
.jpg "Kansas State guard Nijel Pack (24) puts up a three over Oklahoma State guard Avery Anderson III (0) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, Kan. Kansas State defeated Oklahoma State, 71-68. (AP Photo/Nick Krug)")
The details
When/where: 1 p.m. Saturday, Gallagher-Iba Arena, Stillwater, Oklahoma
TV/radio: ESPNU; KKGQ (92.3 FM) in Wichita, KCSP (610 AM) in Kansas City.
About Kansas State (14-11, 6-7 Big 12): The Wildcats have won four of their past five games to put themselves within reach of an at-large berth into the NCAA Tournament. Their last two victories came against Iowa State and West Virginia. Nijel Pack and Mark Smith have both been playing at a high level during the team’s winning streak, but extra contributions from players like Markquis Nowell and Ismael Massoud have made a big difference. An argument could be made for Massoud starting in place of Davion Bradford for this game, but Bruce Weber has said he will be sticking with Bradford at center, mainly for defensive purposes.
About Oklahoma State (12-13, 5-8 Big 12): The Cowboys are coming off a 76-62 loss road loss against Kansas. They have been struggling lately and have lost six of their past eight games. But Oklahoma State has been good at home this month, going 2-0 at Gallagher-Iba Arena against Oklahoma and West Virginia. Avery Anderson is the team’s leading scorer, followed by Bryce Thompson. They are the only two players on the roster averaging in double figures. It will be interesting to see how much passion Mike Boynton’s team plays with down the stretch, as the Cowboys are not eligible for the postseason this year.
Projected lineups
P | No. | Kansas State | Ht. | Yr. | PPG |
F | 21 | Davion Bradford | 7-0 | So. | 3.7 |
G | 00 | Mike McGuirl | 6-3 | Sr. | 6.4 |
G | 13 | Mark Smith | 6-4 | Sr. | 12.2 |
G | 24 | Nijel Pack | 6-0 | So. | 17.5 |
G | 1 | Markquis Nowell | 5-8 | Jr. | 12.0 |
P | No. | Oklahoma State | Ht. | Yr. | PPG |
F | 33 | Moussa Cisse | 6-10 | So. | 6.9 |
F | 23 | Tyreek Smith | 6-7 | So. | 3.4 |
G | 0 | Avery Anderson | 6-3 | Jr. | 11.4 |
G | 1 | Bryce Thompson | 6-5 | So. | 10.4 |
G | 13 | Isaac Likekele | 6-5 | Sr. | 7.4 |
Prediction
Motivation could be a key factor in this game.
K-State badly needs a win to boost its chances of reaching the NCAA Tournament. Oklahoma State is playing for nothing more than pride, as the Cowboys have been banned from participating in the postseason this year.
Will the Wildcats rise to the occasion and play with more energy than the Cowboys? Or will a more relaxed setting lead to a good result for Mike Boynton’s team.
All things being equal, this is a toss-up game. K-State beat Oklahoma State at Bramlage Coliseum earlier this season on a buzzer-beater from Nijel Pack. Before that, Kansas transfer Bryce Thompson scored 22 points to put the Cowboys in position to steal the game.
The series shifting to Gallagher-Iba would seem to favor Oklahoma State in the rematch, but K-State has a winning record on the road this season. And Selton Miguel will play in this game after missing the matchup in Manhattan.
Oklahoma State is an excellent defensive team, but it has allowed three straight opponents to score at least 76 points. On offense, it struggles to shoot the three and to make free throws. It scores lots of points because of offensive rebounds. K-State’s front court can’t let Oklahoma State dominate the glass.
If K-State can find ways to score against the Cowboys and approach 70 points it should win this game.
K-State 69, Oklahoma State 64.