Texas at Oklahoma State

[jaypaw]

I am personally leaning towards taking the OKState ML.

If anyone has the time I'd appreciate it if you could post in whatever you can find for press on this game into this thread.


Thanks



http://www.covers.com/includes/articles.aspx?theArt=19864&tid=29&t=2

Can the Cowboys stop the bleeding?
Julian Dickinson


Oklahoma State's current stretch of pokey play couldn't have come at a worse time.

Heading into the tail end of their regular season schedule, the Cowboys tangle with the Texas Longhorns tonight in a tiebreaker for first place the Big 12. It's easily the biggest game of the season for both clubs thus far.

But Texas could prove too tough for OSU if the 'Pokes play the same way they have been lately. The Cowboys have blown the spread in each of their last three games against a crew of non-contenders they should have handled with ease.

Most recently, they let 15-point underdog Baylor steal the loot after surrendering a 12-point lead in the final minutes. OSU escaped with the 72-65 win, but it was not the kind of effort that will pay off against the stampeding Longhorns.


"We’ve got a lot to do to get back in top-notch shape and get consistent play," forward Tony Allen told reporters after the Baylor game. "We need to turn it on faster."

As they have in the other two previous games, the Cowboys looked sluggish on defense and frequently allowed Baylor open looks at the basket. The Bears shot nearly 50 percent from the field, including 9-for-19 from beyond the arc.

If the Cowboys hope to hold off Texas, they will have to step up their defense. Over the last three games, opponents have shot just under 50 percent and scored more than 80 points per game.

Texas isn't famous for shooting the lights out; then again, neither was Baylor until OSU made the Bears look like Gonzaga. The Longhorns rely on defense and rebounding to win games, but if the Cowboys don't tighten up their D, Texas will probably be content to drop in three-pointers as it did against Texas Tech Saturday, draining six of 12 trey attempts.

Payback could also play a role in tonight's contest. Oklahoma State beat Texas as an underdog in Austin earlier this season, so expect the Longhorns to come out fired up and bring some of their own fans across the state line to Stillwater.

"The atmosphere there is one of the best in the country," Barnes said of the Cowboys' Gallagher-Iba Arena. "On Monday, it may be one of the best atmospheres ever."

Oddsmakers have Oklahoma State as 3-point favorites heading into the game and the total is set at 144 1/2.

 

[jaypaw]

Texas forward Jason Klotz is not intimidated by Gallagher-Iba Arena, but he knows how crazy it will be on Monday.
``Gallagher-Iba. That's the loudest place of all the places I've been to other than Kansas,'' Klotz said. ``Crazy fans. At timeouts you can't hear anything. I love it.

``We know coming into this game it's going to be a tough atmosphere.''

In a game that will likely determine the regular season Big 12 champion, 10th-ranked Texas will try to snap No. 6 Oklahoma State's 14-game winning streak at Gallagher-Iba.

With two games remaining on each of their schedules, Texas (21-4, 12-2) and Oklahoma State (22-3, 12-2) are tied atop the Big 12 with a two-game lead over Kansas.

ADVERTISEMENT


Both teams realize the magnitude of Monday's matchup.

``There's a lot at stake,'' Oklahoma State forward Ivan McFarlin said. ``It's for all the marbles, the championship ring, the Big 12.''

To earn the title, Oklahoma State coach Eddie Sutton knows the Cowboys will need to play better than they have in recent games.

``I like where we're playing, but we have to play a near-perfect game,'' Sutton said.

After having its 11-game winning streak snapped with a 93-92 double-overtime loss to Missouri on Tuesday, the Cowboys rebounded to top Baylor 72-65 on Saturday.

McFarlin scored a season-high 24 points, and senior guard Tony Allen added 22 to lead the Cowboys, who nearly squandered a 12-point second-half lead.

``We've got a lot to do to get back in top-notch shape and get consistent play,'' Allen said. ``We need to turn it on faster.''

While the Cowboys try to be more proficient on offense, the Longhorns also hope to play with more energy than they did in a 72-67 loss to Oklahoma State on Jan. 24. In that game, the Longhorns were outrebounded 38-30, and their starting frontcourt scored just six combined points.

``I think we didn't play aggressive,'' Texas guard Royal Ivey said. ``They played aggressive and they took it right to us.''

Since that contest, the Longhorns have won nine of 10, including a 74-71 victory over No. 25 Texas Tech on Saturday.

Senior forward Brandon Mouton scored 17 points in his final home game, and freshman swingman P.J. Tucker added 15 points and 10 rebounds. Texas coach Rick Barnes said he has been impressed with the way Tucker has handled pressure this season.

``The bigger it is, the better some guys will like it,'' Barnes said. ``He wants it there.''

Texas leads the all-time series with Oklahoma State 31-30 and has won four of the last seven meetings in Stillwater.

 

[Kojak]

jaypaw,

I originally leaned towards OSU but I am not taking Texas as a game of the week play. See my thread. GL

 

[ATX]

I'm taking UT at +4

I think this one could be very similar to the UT/Texas Tech game in Lubbock earlier this year. Am I a little biased? yeah, but I dont bet on my team that much. Like the article says, I dont think OK ST is playing as well as they were a few games ago, and I think the motivational edge goes to Texas. Sure, OK ST could romp here, IBA is one of the toughest places to play, but Texas does have a little experience in the tough games from last year. I look for big games from Thomas and Mouton if my wager is to cash. It's just one bet, and I like the points here in what should be a very entertaining game. Best of luck whatever you decide.

 

[jaypaw]

I agree - this game should be amazing - there are so many variables that come into play that it is a tough choice to make.

The argument that OkState hasnt been playing well lately is not exactly a strong one IMO...

Nebraska has been suprising lately - losing at texas by one a few, and beating kansas, missouri, ttu, and IAState.

The Baylor game - though it was a win, was less convincing... HOWEVER, to the credit of Baylor - they beat A&M, and had only lost to missouri by 4 the game before.

Also OKState beat Baylor by 30something at OKState a few weeks earlier, so I dont think OKState was actually concerned about losing to baylor, PLUS they had to have had texas in the back of their minds at the time... so I suppose those of you who believe in the concept of trap games would have to have considered that one - or a sandwich game if you will.

The final point I wanted to bring up is that Texas lost at Iowa State... OKState won there by 21pts.


Not to take anything away from texas, but there is a reason OKState is favored here.

 

[truelyhandicapping]

jawpay you said it yourself in you post.

okie state wasn't really in the game against baylor, how could they be when they had texas today.

okie state doesn't play half as good on the road as they do at home, if they hung with texas on the road, they will have it easy tonight at home.

it seems like a lot of points, but usually a game of this hype ends up in a blow out for the home team.

lets not forget texas had a emotional game against tech of sat. two games back to back, i don't see it.

easy win and cover okie state tonight.

 

[jaypaw]

My mind is made up...


OKState -1 (bought 2.5 -160)


and

This 2 team ML parlay
Connecticut -550, Mon@7:00p
Oklahoma State -170, Mon@9:00p

and I dont know why I bother to post this but I did put in one on CT at -500... I know i'm looking for trouble but lately doing so has actually been profitable.

GL and thanx for the input guys

 

[jaypaw]

FYI the -500 for CT was at pinny this morning... it has since moved up slightly

The -550 is from bodog

 

[Kojak]

jaypaw,

This game is similar to Cinci at Charlotte on Saturday. Charlotte won on homecourt of Cinci and everybody and their mother were on Charlotte. Texas is a Proven Good Road Team that has improved as year has gone on and adjusted to loss of TJ Ford. OK St. is a very good basketball team who I think has played above their head most of the year. I think they lost some confidence the last two weeks as Texas
swagger is growing. Regardless, I think OSU will lose this su but if they do win it will be by less than the spread. Best of luck.

 

[texaschico]

diff kpjak is the uc was favored. I am huge texas fan but this game scares me.

 

[jaypaw]

good point chico

my point was that there is a reason OKState is favored...

 

[jstu11]

Good luck Paw

Love the call

 

[Birdman]

Oklahoma ST. Cowboys play in a top three HC atmosphere.This is for lead and I expect Sutton's troops to hold Longhorns under 40% tonight from field. Statistically, pretty even except that Texas offense relies on the three much more than Okla St and believe this reliance will not avail itself on the road tonight. Final score OSU 75-64

 

[jaypaw]

Great to have you here birdman I wish you'd come around more again - how is the job?

Thanks for the confidence boost ball breaker


I'm still unsure about more than the ML but my gut tells me the number wont be a factor if OKState wins.


hmmmm

 

[jaypaw]

77wins-66losses on the season
(41 for 69 ATS)
(15 for 22 buying points (-170))
(9 for 21 on the 4 team 10 pt teasers [payout -120])
(8 for 15 - multiple team ML parlays and other teasers [winners of -150, -130, -163, +150, +290, +350, +180, and +122])
(4 for 10 on the ML: wins of -500, -260, -180, and -235)

 

[Kojak]

jaypaw,
Congrats on OSU win as they earned it down the stretch with their execution and free throws. Best of luck.

 

[jaypaw]

Thanks Kojak

3 wins not bad - even if one of them is a -500ML...