Big 12 Battle in Stillwater: Iowa St visits Oklahoma St

Iowa St Cyclones at Oklahoma St Cowboys, Gallagher-Iba Arena, Stillwater, OK
Wednesday, January 18, 2011, 9:00 pm Eastern, TV: ESPNU
Opening Line: Oklahoma St -5 1/2
Current Line: Oklahoma St -4 1/2
Opening Total: 134 1/2
Current Total: 138 1/2
Money Line: OSU -200 / Iowa St +170

Oklahoma St takes on Iowa St in a battle of Big 12 teams in Stillwater. Oklahoma St is a 5 point favorite at home.

Predicted to finish near the bottom of the Big 12 under first year coach Fred Hoiberg, the young Iowa St Cyclones have surprised some people with a 14-4 record overall and 1.2 in Big 12 play. They travel to Stillwater to take on the 13-4 Oklahoma St Cowboys. Oklahoma St is also 1-2 in conference play, so this is a crucial game for both teams. Iowa St has losses to Northern Iowa, Cal, Nebraska, and Kansas. All four losses have been by 6 points or fewer. The Cyclones ahve wins over Drake, Creighton, Iowa, Virginia, and Baylor on the season. The Cyclones beat Baylor last Saturday in Ames 72-57. Oklahoma St has losses to Virginia Tech, Gonzaga, Texas A&M and Colorado on the season. The Cowboys lost at Colorado Saturday 75-71. Oklahoma St has wins over DePaul, Tulsa, Missouri St, Alabama, Stanford, and Kansas St. Oklahoma St leads the series against Iowa St 60-52, including 34-13 in Stillwater. Oklahoma St was won and covered 3 straight in the series and 2 of those 3 games have gone over the total. Oklahoma St is 17-3 ATS as a favorite over the last 2 seasons. The Cowboys are 12-1 ATS in home games the last two seasons, including 8-1 as a home favorite in the same span.

Despite losing 6 players to eligibility issues, Iowa St might make the NCAA tournament or NIT. It is for this reason the Fred Hoiberg will contend for coach of the year in the Big 12 and maybe even nationally. The Cyclones 5 five players averaging in double digit scoring. Senior guard Diante Garrett averages 17.6 points to lead the team, 3.8 rebounds, 6.1 assists to lead the team, and 2.1 steals a game which also leads the team. Junior guard Scott Christopherson averages 14.4 points, 3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. He is also shooting 50% from 3 point range. Forward Melvin Ejim is averaging 11.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.4 steals a game. Forward Jamie Vanderbeken averages 11.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 2 blocks a game to lead the team. Senior Guard Jake Anderson averages 11.2 points, 8 rebounds to lead the team, 3 assists, and 1.2 steals a game. Anderson is only 6’2″ which makes it impressive how many rebounds he grabs. Iowa St has only 10 players on their roster with all the players out, so they are a little thin. Iowa St is outscoring opponents 77-61 on the season. The Cyclones are shooting 45.3% from the field and 39.0% from 3-point range. Iowa St is holding opponents to 37.1% shooting from the field. The Cyclones make 69.9% of their free throws. Iowa St grabs 38.7 rebounds a game and has a rebounding margin of +1.2. Iowa St averages 15.4 assists and 11.8 turnovers a game. They force 15.7 turnovers a game on defense. The Cyclones average 7.6 steals and 4.3 blocks a game.

Oklahoma St is led by forward Marshall Moses. Moses is averaging 16.4 points to lead the team, 8.1 rebounds, and1 assist a game. Guard Keiton Page averages 13.9 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.1 steals a game. Forward J.P. Olukemi averages 10.9 points, and 4.1 rebounds a game. Guard Ray Penn leads the team in assists with 2.9 a game. OSU is outscoring opponents 70-64 on the season. The Cowboys are shooting 45.5% from the field and 32% from three point range. Cowboy opponents are shooting 39.6% from the field. OSU is shooting 71.8% from the free throw line. The Pokes average 35.5 rebounds a game and have a rebounding margin of +3.6. Oklahoma St averages 10.8 assists and 13.9 turnovers a game. They force 14.3 turnovers a game on defense. The average 2.7 blocks and 6.6 steals a game.

These two teams need this victory to avoid falling behind the conference leaders Kansas, Texas, and Texas A&M. Oklahoma St tends to be sloppy with the ball and must avoid turnovers. Gallagher-Iba Arena is always a tough place to play for the road team. Iowa St has the advantage in rebounding. Both are good defensive teams. I think this game will be close.