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Oklahoma State Basketball: Predicting Texas Tech

By Andrew Miller

Jan 21, 2017; Lubbock, TX, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Jeffrey Carroll (30) looks for an opening against Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Justin Gray (5) in the second half at United Supermarkets Arena. Carroll lead Oklahoma State with 25 points in the 83-64 win over the Red Raiders. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2017; Lubbock, TX, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Jeffrey Carroll (30) looks for an opening against Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Justin Gray (5) in the second half at United Supermarkets Arena. Carroll lead Oklahoma State with 25 points in the 83-64 win over the Red Raiders. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Oklahoma State basketball team takes on the Texas Tech Red Raiders this afternoon at 1 p.m. CT in Gallagher-Iba Arena.

The Oklahoma State basketball team takes the court only two more times this season at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Today, they face the Texas Tech Red Raiders who own a record of 17-11 (5-10 Big 12). Meanwhile, the Cowboys enter the game with a 19-9 (8-7 Big 12). Moreover, OK State enters the contest as a 6.5 point favorite over TTU and the over/under for the game sits at 150.5.

OK State’s hot streak started back in Jan. with an 83-64 victory over TTU in Lubbock, snapping their six game losing streak when conference play first started. There’s no doubt that the Red Raiders have revenge in mind today.

It seems like TTU’s chance at an NCAA Tournament bid are as bleak as any team in the Big 12 with a winning record. They need a victory today to stay alive in the Selection Committee’s eyes.

However, OK State is nearly a lock for the NCAA Tournament at this point. A win this afternoon would give them their 20th victory of the season. That would be the first time the Cowboys have won 20 games in a season since the 2014-15 campaign under former head coach Travis Ford.

The Pokes and Red Raiders are headed in opposite directions. TTU lost four of their last five games while OK State won nine of their last 10. Facing three top 10 teams in the last five games contributed to the losing ways of TTU recently.

The bulk of OK State’s focus defensively needs to be on TTU’s junior guard Keenan Evans who averages 15.5 points per game. Junior forward Zach Smith put forward an impressive performance in TTU’s last game against the Iowa State Cyclones with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Smith averages 13.1 points per game and 7.6 rebounds.

OK State cannot get caught looking forward to their final two games of the regular season. They need senior shooting guard Phil Forte playing well since he had less than four points in two of the last three games. Opponents started defending Forte with taller shooting guards preventing him from getting in a grove behind the three-point line.

Star sophomore point guard Jawun Evans and true freshman point guard Brandon Averette posted huge numbers Wednesday against Kansas State. They posted 34 points combined against KSU, leading OK State to a 12 point victory in Manhattan.

Getting 50 points combined out of Evans, Forte, and junior forward Jeffrey Carroll is not out of the question. Carroll had 25 points and nine rebounds in the first matchup with TTU.

Questioning TTU’s motivation today likely means a mistake costing the Pokes the game and their winning streak. However, head coach Brad Underwood had the Pokes prepared each of the last 10 games. OK State’s only loss came against the no. 9 Baylor Bears by three points.

Next: Big weekend ahead for Oklahoma State Athletics

Expect a hard fought victory in a rowdy GIA this afternoon, notching OK State’s 20th victory of the season.

Oklahoma State 85, Texas Tech 82

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