Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament UCF vs. Oklahoma State Preview
Here is everything you need to know about UCF and Oklahoma State in our Knights vs. Cowboys Big 12 Tournament men’s basketball first round preview.
GAME 1: NO. 12 UCF (16-14) VS. NO. 13 OKLAHOMA STATE (12-19)
Time, TV: 11:30 a.m. CT Tuesday, ESPN+
Location: T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, MO
Season series (UCF LEADS 1-0): UCF def. Oklahoma State, 77-71 (at Stillwater, OK.)
Winner: Advances to the second round on Wednesday to take on No. 5 BYU at 11:30 a.m.
Here is the full Big 12 men’s tournament schedule and results.
PROJECTED STARTING LINEUPS
UCF: F Ibrahim Diallo, F C.J. Walker, G Jaylin Sellers, G Shemarri Allen, G Darius Johnson
Oklahoma State: C Brandon Garrison, G Quion William, G Javon Small, G Jamyron Keller, G John Michael-Wright
PLAYERS TO WATCH
UCF
G Darius Johnson
Darius Johnson has been a solid player for coach Johnny Dawkins this season, and his numbers reflect that. The junior guard is averaging 14.8 points, 3.7 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per game in his third season of college basketball. Johnson was a key piece in the Knights closing out their season with a win, as the Maryland native put up a career-high 33 points against the TCU Horned Frogs. He also had nine rebounds and two assists. Johnson has the ability to light it up quickly in Kansas City.
Oklahoma State
G Javon Small
Speaking of players scoring 30 or more points in their final game of the season, Oklahoma State guard Javon Small is a player to watch in the opening round. Small put up 34 points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal in the Cowboys’ 85-71 loss to BYU, which could spark a hot streak for the junior guard. Small did not have a great game the first time OSU played UCF this season and could be on the hunt for revenge against the Knights.
KEY STORYLINES
UCF
UCF’s first season in the Big 12 was a mixed bag of highs and lows. The Knights’ 7-11 conference record has kept them off the NCAA Tournament bubble for the majority of the season despite some big wins, including a home win over Kansas. UCF’s only hope of sneaking into the NCAA Tournament field is likely running the table at the Big 12 Tournament and earn the league’s automatic bid. This is March and crazier things have happened. The ball is in the Knights’ court to go on a run, and it’s now or never.
Oklahoma State
Despite changes on the roster, coaching staff, administration, and other areas of Oklahoma State basketball, the Cowboys continue to find themselves near the bottom of the league. Coach Mike Boynton Jr. is nearing the end of his seventh season in Stillwater and has just four winning seasons to show for it. While there are still some variables such as potential buyout numbers, if the Cowboys come out flat in the Big 12 Tournament, Boynton could find himself working hard to keep his job. Boynton himself has said he hasn’t had a conversation with the administration about his job status.
PREDICTION
UCF 75, Oklahoma State 71. The first game between these two was decided by six points, with both teams trading the lead. UCF has some athleticism in its lineup, and I don’t see Oklahoma State matching it. UCF advances.
