The Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish meet Friday in college basketball action from Barclays Center. Oklahoma State enters this one at 1-2 overall so far. The Cowboys lost to St. Bonaventure in their last outing. As for Notre Dame, they’re 1-2 this year as well following a loss to Auburn on Thursday. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place. 

Oklahoma State Cowboys 

Oklahoma State has a couple of tough losses sandwiched around a double-digit win this year. The Cowboys kicked things off versus Abilene Christian, shooting just 5-of-23 (21.7 percent) from 3-point range in a 64-59 loss. Game two was Oklahoma State’s first victory: 85-70 over Sam Houston. The Cowboys were 17-of-33 (51.5 percent) from outside in that one. 

On Thursday versus St. Bonaventure, the Cowboys were down 30-29 by the break and ended up limping to a 66-64 loss. Leading scorer Eric Dailey had 15 points with four rebounds, and John-Michael Wright added 14 points. 

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Over on the Notre Dame side, they managed a win over Niagara in their opener, recovering from a 30-29 halftime deficit for a 70-63 win on 50.9 percent shooting and 36 rebounds. The Fighting Irish fell to Western Carolina in game two after a 42-29 deficit at the break became too much in a 71-61 loss. The Irish shot a tepid 37.9 percent in that one and got out-rebounded 43-38. 

In their Thursday matchup versus Auburn, the Fighting Irish again trailed at halftime 39-33. Notre Dame got worse from there and ended up losing a blowout 83-59. JR Konieczny topped the team on 28 points with 11 rebounds. Tae Davis added 13 points with six rebounds, and Markus Burton had 12 points. 

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll probably stick with Oklahoma State in this one. The Cowboys are coming off a pretty flat performance against St. Bonaventure, shooting 7-of-23 from 3-point range (30.4 percent) and getting out-rebounded 35-34. Oklahoma State had 16 team assists and 14 turnovers but probably still should have won the game. 

As for Notre Dame, they were even colder shooting from outside in Thursday’s loss to Auburn with 2-of-26 (7.7 percent) made 3-pointers alongside nine assists and 33.9 percent shooting overall. The Tigers’ 53.4 percent shooting didn’t help matters. Oklahoma State should be able to handle the Irish if the Cowboys play well. Notre Dame should offer some quality scoring opportunities anyway.