Oregon State Beavers Vs. Washington State Cougars 2/9/12
Tyrone’s Free College Basketball Pick Against the Spread
The Cougs lost in overtime to 5-18, 2-9 Utah to begin the away angst. After three double-digit road losses Washington State lost at 7-16, 7-3 Arizona State. A 63-60 loser to 13-10, 6-5 UCLA during their last game was the Cougars who held off OSU 81-76 in Spokane on Dec. 31.
WSU shot 53.8 percent for the game. The only reasons the Beavs stayed close was two more offensive rebounds, two more three-pointers and one less turnover. The Cougs led by as many as nine with junior forward Brock Motum and freshman guard DaVonte Lacy carrying the offense for 26 and 18 points. Senior guard Marcus Capers chipped in 10 including making 6-of-8 free throws. Washington State was 19-for-24 from the line for the afternoon while sinking 6-of-12 threes.
Oregon State drilled 8-of-23 three-pointers and 16-of-22 FTs. The high-scoring Beavers were held to 45.6 percent shooting however. Sophomore guard Ahmad Starks shot 12 of the 23 threes drilling five of the eight the team made en route to 18 points. OSU was led by junior guard Jared Cunningham's 21 as junior center Joe Burton brought his hard hat picking up 14 points and seven rebounds.
The Beavs have won four of five after falling in three straight, two of which went to OT, one quadruple OT. That one insane game happened at Gill Coliseum for Oregon State who is 10-2 in Corvalis. Aside from falling to 16-7, 6-5 Stanford the Beavers have only tasted defeat at home one other time against 12-11, 5-4 Idaho.
OSU has three wins at Gill by 10 or less points this season. The Cougars have less offensive weapons, but have won nine of their last 11 in the series. I went with WSU against the Bruins who've owned them in recent memory. I won't make the same make twice in a week. I'll roll with the Cougars to at least hang tough if not win outright over the Beavs at Oregon State Thursday.
Tyrone’s Pick: Washington State +9
