KU basketball vs. Oklahoma State game prediction: Will Jayhawks end losing streak?
The No. 23-ranked Kansas Jayhawks men’s basketball team welcomes Oklahoma State to Lawrence on Saturday.
KU lost to BYU on Tuesday, while OSU beat UCF on Wednesday.
Here is a scouting report and prediction for Saturday afternoon’s game:
No. 23 Kansas vs. Oklahoma State
When/where: 3 p.m., Allen Fieldhouse
TV/streaming: CBS
Opponent’s record: 13-13
KenPom (Ken Pomeroy) ranking: 101
Betting line: Kansas is a 15.5-point favorite.
All statistics are from KenPom.com and EvanMiya. KenPom stats only include Division I competition.
Oklahoma State Strengths
Solid defense: The Cowboys rank No. 98 in adjusted defensive efficiency (103.8). Adjusted defensive efficiency is the number of points scored per 100 possessions. KU ranks No. 6 in the same metric.
Free-throw threat: OSU is elite at getting to the free-throw line, ranking No. 11 in free-throw rate (43.4).
Bench trust: The Cowboys rank No. 9 in bench-minutes percentage (43.2%). KU ranks No. 214 in the same metric.
Oklahoma State Weaknesses
Offensive issues: OSU ranks No. 280 in effective field goal pct. (48.7).
Turnover problems: The Cowboys rank 268 in turnover pct. (18.7)
Issues vs. the long ball: Opponents are shooting 35.5% on 3-pointers, giving the Cowboys a ranking of 275th overall.
Oklahoma State Name to Know
6-foot-8 senior forward Marchelus Avery (No. 0)
+ Quality scorer (12.1 PPG)
+ Decent free-throw shooter (73.2% at the line)
+ Elite from deep (37.4% on 3-pointers)
+ Crashes the boards (4.7 RPG)
- Not much of a facilitator (1.3 APG)
Game Prediction
The Jayhawks are looking to end a two-game losing streak. Playing this Oklahoma State squad should be just what the doctor ordered.
The Jayhawks must avoid foul trouble, though, as the Cowboys rank No. 11 in free-throw rate. KU must also avoid getting off to another lethargic start.
I think the Jayhawks win this game but fail to cover the spread.
KU 75, OSU 65
Shreyas’ pick to cover the spread: Oklahoma State (+15.5)
Shreyas’ season record: 20-6
Shreyas’ record against the spread: 15-11.
KU Player to watch: Hunter Dickinson
KU big man Hunter Dickinson struggled in the Jayhawks’ road trip to Utah. He wasn’t effective on the offensive end against either BYU or Utah. He also struggled to defend.
Dickinson needs to be aggressive vs. Oklahoma State to get back on track.
