Florida vs Oklahoma State 1/29/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Oklahoma State Cowboys will travel to the Exactech Arena at Stephen C. O’Connell Center to take on the Florida Gators this Saturday afternoon in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge.

The Oklahoma State Cowboys lost their 2^nd straight game and dropped to 10-9 on the season after being defeated by the 23^rd ranked Iowa State Cyclones, 84-81 (OT), this past Wednesday. Oklahoma State allowed Iowa State to force OT after Izaiah Brockington hit a game-tying jumper with :20 seconds left in regulation and couldn’t force a 2^nd OT after a game-typing three-point attempt by Avery Anderson III game up short as time expired. Oklahoma State shot 47.3% from the field & 29.2% from beyond the arc while allowing Iowa State to shoot 53.3% from the field & 42.9% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Cowboys was Avery Anderson III who had 34 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, & 2 steals.

On the season, Oklahoma State is averaging 69.4 ppg on 42.9% shooting from the field. The Cowboys are averaging 5.3 three-pointers per game on 29.2% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Oklahoma State has been led by Avery Anderson III (11.3 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.1 apg, 2.1 spg), Bryce Williams (10.6 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 3.3 apg, 1.9 spg), Bryce Thompson (9.8 ppg, 2.2 rpg), & Isaac Likekele (7.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 3.5 apg, 1.5 spg). Bryce Williams has missed the past two games due to a leg injury and is questionable for this matchup.

Defensively, Oklahoma State is holding their opponents to an average of 66.0 ppg on 39.9% shooting from the field. The Cowboys have a rebound margin of 0.5 and a turnover margin of 2.6.

The Florida Gators lost their 2^nd straight game and dropped to 12-8 on the season after being defeated by the 18^th ranked Tennessee Volunteers, 78-71, this past Wednesday. Florida led by a 42-34 margin at halftime, however, the Gators were dominated on both ends of the court in the 2^nd half and Tennessee was able to take the lead for good after a pair of FT’s by Santiago Vescovi gave the Volunteers a 72-71 lead with :31 seconds left in regulation. Florida shot 43.3% from the field & 30.3% from beyond the arc while allowing Tennessee to shoot 45.5% from the field & 45.8% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Gators was Tyree Appleby who had 16 points, 1 rebound, 7 assists, & 2 steals.

On the season, Florida is averaging 71.3 ppg on 43.0% shooting from the field. The Gators are averaging 7.7 three-pointers per game on 29.7% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Florida has been led by Colin Castleton (15.4 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 1.8 apg, 2.8 bpg), Phlandrous Fleming Jr. (10.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.3 spg), Tyree Appleby (10.1 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 3.9 apg, 1.6 spg), & Anthony Duruji (9.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.2 apg, 1.2 spg). Colin Castleton is out indefinitely with a shoulder injury and won’t be available for this matchup.

Defensviely, Florida is holding their opponents to average of 63.8 ppg on 43.6% shooting from the field. The Gators have a rebound margin of 1.3 and a turnover margin of 2.5.

The Cowboys are 3-10 ATS in their last 13 games & 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games vs. SEC opponents. The Gators are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record & 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.

Oklahoma State has been led by their defense which ranks 96^th in scoring defense & 38^th in defensive FG%, however, the Cowboys have struggled on the offensive end and rank just 225^th in scoring offense & 244^th in FG%. Florida has also been led by their defense which ranks 53^rd in scoring defense & 20^th in steals per game, however, like the Cowboys, have been below average on the offensive end and come into this matchup ranked just 182^nd in scoring offense & 233^rd in FG%.

Florida is a tough team to play on their home court, however, this is a team that can struggle on the offensive end and will be without their leading scorer in Colin Castleton. Oklahoma State has a solid defense that helped them beat Baylor on the road earlier this season, and as I think this is going to be a low-scoring competitive game, I think I’m going to want the points when it’s all said and done. Take Oklahoma State and the points. Good Luck!