West Virginia set to open Big 12 Conference play against the Oklahoma State Cowboys

OPENING THOUGHTS

We’ve made it! We’ve travelled the desert of incredibly boring non-conference games and have arrived at Big 12 Conference play. Gone are the days of playing Coppin State and Morgan State. We’ve got some of the country’s top teams ahead of us, featuring some of the top players, and it all starts tonight against the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

Let’s go!

WHEN/WHERE

Date: Friday, December 29th

Tip-Off Time: 7:00 PM ET

Where: Gallagher-Iba Arena, Stillwater, Oklahoma

WATCH/LISTEN

TV: ESPNU

Streaming Video: WatchESPN

Radio: 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: SiriusXM 81

ODDS

Spread: West Virginia -3

O/U: 152

THE ENEMY

Where are they from? Stillwater, Oklahoma

Series History: West Virginia leads the all-time series 6-5

Last Time: No. 7 West Virginia 75, Oklahoma State 82 on February 4, 2017 in Morgantown

SB Nation Blog: Cowboys Ride For Free

Record: 10-2

Record in 2016-17: 20-13 (9-9 Big 12)

Head Coach: Mike Boynton (1st Season)

Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports

PLAYERS TO WATCH

• Jevon Carter: This one’s a no-brainer, as Carter will get serious consideration for Big 12 Player of the Year. Carter has improved his 3PT % from 30.6 in 2016-17 to 40.6 this season, and has shown similar improvement at the foul line (74.4 to 86.2). As long as Carter stays as hot as he has this season, the Mountaineers should be in a good position to win.
• Jeffrey Carroll: Carroll had to sit out the first few games of the year due to the FBI investigation. Since returning, he’s leading the Cowboys and averaging 15 points per game and 6.2 rebounds per game.

HOW AFRAID SHOULD WE BE (ON A SCALE OF 1-10)?

Seven. The Mountaineers looked sloppy against Coppin State and Forham and, while that could’ve just been related to who they were playing, that level of play isn’t going to fare well against a 10-2 Big 12 team. West Virginia didn’t exactly play as well in their one true road game against Pitt as they should have, and it feels like the Mountaineers are due for a loss. Hopefully it isn’t tonight.

PREDICTION THAT WILL BE WRONG

Jevon Carter looks spectacular against the Cowboys, and West Virginia escapes Stillwater with the win.

West Virginia 77, Oklahoma State 73