Cowboys try to lasso Stanford on the road

Oklahoma State’s first true road game of the season was a complete disaster at in-state rival Tulsa, losing 86-65 and they will look to give a much better performance in Big12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series. In the Cowboys loss, they were held back when guard James Anderson was limited to 10 points. Despite having three players 6’10 or taller on the roster, coach Travis Ford doesn’t have enough players that can handle the post effectively.

In that contest, the Cowboys shot a season low 39.4 percent and will have to be more careful in shot selection. On the year, Oklahoma State (8-1, 2-1-1 ATS) is converting 46.5 percent from the field and they are 8-1 ATS when they make 47 to 53 percent of their shots.

Coach Johnny Dawkins second season at Stanford (5-3, 3-2-1 ATS) figures to be rockier than his first. Last year’s 20-win campaign was fueled by schedule that was softer than marshmallows. This year’s slate has been more foreboding, as the three losses explain.

This doesn’t suggest Dawkins team is talentless, as 6’7 senior Landry Fields is a keeper and Jeremy Green has added scoring punch from the backcourt. Dawkins have been willing to go small, to add quickness and being able to play his preferred style of 94-feet. This forces 6’8 sophomore transfer Andrew Zimmerman to get with the program or take a seat. The Cardinal is 12-4 ATS at Maple Pavilion the last two seasons.

Oklahoma States snuffed out Arkansas-Pine Bluff 81-66 in last contest and is 10-2-1 ATS off a SU victory. DiamondSportsbook.com has the Cowboys as 1.5-point underdogs, with a total of 146. This situation has not been the best fit for Okie State who is a mere 4-10-1 ATS as a road dog.

Since losing to highly ranked Kentucky 73-65 as 10-point underdogs, Stanford has won its last two games handily over Portland State (83-64) and Cal-Davis (85-69) and is 12-4 ATS in non-conference games over the last two years. The Cardinal was a 19.5-point chalk over the Cal-Davis and is 6-0 ATS at home after failing to cover last outing.

This non-conference clash is on FSN at 11 Eastern with Stanford 13-3 OVER as a home favorite of three points or less or pick and Oklahoma State 11-2 UNDER after four straight games forcing opponent to commit 14 or less turnovers.