Texas vs. Oklahoma State Odds
| Texas Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3 -110 | 140 -110o / -110u | -150 |
| Oklahoma State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3 -110 | 140 -110o / -110u | +130 |
Tip off Saturday at 12 p.m. ET local time will mark the first game for the Texas Longhorns with Chris Beard officially gone from the program.
Texas administration announced earlier this week that they had made the decision to part ways with Beard effective immediately.
Rodney Terry has done an admirable job in the interim role, but it will be interesting to see how the Longhorns respond now that there is no longer any speculation around Beard's status.
For Oklahoma State, the Cowboys are trying to build on some positive momentum built up over the last few weeks. Last Saturday, the Pokes took the Kansas Jayhawks to the wire in Allen Fieldhouse in a game they probably should have won.
Mike Boynton's team followed that up with a nice home victory over West Virginia on Monday night.
Where does the betting value lie in a game that is projected to come down to the wire? Find a betting guide with a pick below for Texas vs. Oklahoma State.
Texas Longhorns
This week had to have been a tough one to be a Texas basketball fan. The Longhorns fell in the Moody Center for the first time ever, giving up 116 points in the process to Kansas State.
For a team that was supposed to be known for earning its stripes on the defensive end, that is an alarming result.
Toss in the fact that the man who had injected a ton of buzz in the program is officially out due to his off-the-court troubles, and this week immediately moves to the top of the list of ones Longhorn fans would like to forget.
The good news for this year's group, is that the Texas backcourt is operating at a high level. Both Marcus Carr and Tyrese Hunter are scoring the ball efficiently, and the duo is meshing very nicely together.
The play of Timmy Allen, Dillon Mitchell and Christian Bishop on the inside will be very important in this game given the size and athleticism of Oklahoma State's front line.
Texas is still forcing a lot of turnovers defensively, but this unit is surrendering far too many clean looks on the perimeter.
Oklahoma State Cowboys
Mike Boynton once again has a team that can really guard. The Pokes enter this contest ranking 14th in overall Adjusted Defensive Efficiency and sixth in effective FG% defense.
It sounds like Moussa Cisse will be unavailable for this matchup due to injury, but bigs like Kalib Boone and Tyreek Smith should still hold their own on the boards.
Boone in particular has been doing a little bit of everything for the Cowboys and remains one of the more versatile players in the Big 12.
Bryce Thompson and Avery Anderson continue to be they anchors of Oklahoma State's half court offense, and I think Boynton is completely fine with that given how they are currently operating.
As long as Oklahoma State takes care of the ball on Saturday, it should have plenty of opportunities for some easy baskets and good looks from the 3-point line.
Texas vs. Oklahoma State Betting Pick
I think the Cowboys get it done at home here, so I will gladly back them as a short underdog. Boynton has his team defending at a high level, which is critical against a Texas team that has some guards who can really score it.
AdditionalIy, I really wonder what Texas' psyche will be coming off a loss and the official news that Beard is no longer with the program.
Anderson and Thompson will be able to score the ball against a Texas defense that was torched by Kansas State on Tuesday night, and the Cowboys should get enough stops in their own building.
Give me the Pokes to cover the number, and I will also endorse a play on the moneyline.
