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OPENING THOUGHTS
Okay, here we go into conference play. Our football season is over and we can put all of our focus on our 11-1 and 11th-ranked basketball team.
First team out of the gate is a very interesting Oklahoma State team. After going 12-20 last season under Travis Ford, the Pokes have improved with Brad Underwood and have some impressive wins on their non-conference schedule.
Here are some of their results against upper/mid-major talent:
| DATE | OPPONENT | HOME/ROAD | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|
| DATE | OPPONENT | HOME/ROAD | RESULT |
| November 21 | Connecticut | Maui | W 98-90 |
| November 22 | No. 4 North Carolina | Maui | L 107-75 |
| November 23 | Georgetown | Maui | W 97-70 |
| December 3 | Maryland | Road | L 71-70 |
| December 10 | Tulsa | Road | W 71-67 |
| December 17 | Wichita State | Road | W 93-76 |
Make no mistake, Oklahoma State can play. Outside of the UConn (if Northeastern can beat them, anyone can) and UNC games everything there is impressive. They went into the XFINITY Center in College Park and lost to a Terrapin team that is currently 13-1 by one point! They also managed to crush Wichita State (which is a tournament team FOR SURE) on the road. The Pokes are much improved from last season and have the potential to make some noise in the Big 12.
WVU could be on upset alert if they don’t show up to Stillwater. The Mountaineers haven’t exactly come off their two best performances of the season and the momentum from the win at Virginia has appeared to fade away. This is where we really figure out how good West Virginia is within the Big 12.
WHEN/WHERE
Date: Friday, December 30th
Tip-Off Time: 4:00 PM ET/3:00 PM CT
Where: Gallagher-Iba Arena, Stillwater, OK
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Tickets: General Public SOLD OUT
WATCH/LISTEN
TV: ESPN2
Streaming Video: WatchESPN (or the WatchESPN app for smartphones)
Radio: WZST Variety 101 (100.9 FM in Morgantown) and the Mountaineer Sports Network from IMG (Radio Affiliates)
Streaming Audio: Locate the Mountaineers Sports Network from IMG on TuneIn Radio (or the TuneIn app for smartphones)
Satellite Radio: Sirius 81; XM 81
ODDS
Spread: WVU by 1-1.5 (according to OddsShark)
O/U: 170
THE ENEMY
Where are they from? Stillwater, Oklahoma
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Series History: WVU leads series 5-4. Series tied 4-4 in Big 12 play (WVU beat the Pokes in the Kentucky Invitational in 1958)
Last Time: No. 14 West Virginia 70, Oklahoma State 56 on February 27 in Stillwater
SB Nation Blog: Cowboys Ride For Free
Record: 10-2
Record in 2015-16: 12-21 (3-15 Big 12)
Head Coach: Brad Underwood (former coach at Stephen F. Austin. Yeah, we’ve met this guy…)
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KEYS TO THE GAME
- Play consistently. There isn’t a single team in the country that the Mountaineers can’t beat as long as they play consistently. No lackluster halves.
- FOUL SHOOTING. Please. It’s the easiest points you can score.
HOW AFRAID SHOULD WE BE (ON A SCALE OF 1-10)?
Seven. I’m as afraid of Oklahoma State at I am of an actual cowboy.
PREDICTION THAT WILL BE WRONG
I think this game will be close enough to keep Billy Hahn awake on the bench and make Mountaineers fans sweat all over the country. The Cowboys are certainly capable of putting up points, but I think #PressVirginia does just enough to leave Gallagher-Iba Arena with a win.
West Virginia 79, Oklahoma State 75