The Stanford Cardinal (19-15) face off against the Oklahoma State Cowboys (20-14) in the NIT at Gallagher-Iba Arena. The game will air on ESPNU at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, March 19, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 154 points with Oklahoma State opening as a 7.5-point favorite.
Stanford Cardinal at Oklahoma State Cowboys Free Prediction
The Cardinal will be looking for a similar outcome after narrowly defeating the BYU Cougars in their last matchup, 86-83. The Cardinal had a much better free throw rate (0.284 vs. 0.118) and had an offensive rebounding percentage of 34.1 (above their season average of 32.5). With 25 points on 10-for-17 shooting, Reid Travis was Stanford’s leading scorer.
In the Cowboys’ last game, they were victorious over the FGCU Eagles, 80-68. The Cowboys knocked down 32 of their 41 free throws (78.0 percent) and held the Eagles to an offensive rebounding percentage of 16.7 (below their season average of 32.3). Jeffrey Carroll was Oklahoma State’s leading scorer with 18 points on 3-for-11 shooting.
This has potential to be a mistake-prone game for the offense of Stanford. Stanford ranks 308th in the NCAA in ball protection (turnover percentage of 20.8 percent), while the pesky defense of Oklahoma State forces the 76th-most turnovers in the nation (20.5 percent).
Stanford holds records of 19-15 straight up (SU) and 16-16-2 against the spread (ATS). Games including the Cardinal have gone under the total 52.9 percent of the time.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma State is 20-14 SU and 16-15 ATS. Vegas is known to place the total high when the Cowboys are involved, as 21 of their 34 games have ended under the O/U total.
Both teams have had a player take their game to the next level over their last five games. Reid Travis (20.6 points and 12.4 rebounds) has been stellar for the Cardinal while Jeffrey Carroll (16.0 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists) has made great contributions to the Cowboys.
Stanford Cardinal at Oklahoma State Cowboys Pick
Basketball Prediction: SU Winner – Oklahoma State, ATS Winner – Oklahoma State, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Oklahoma State ranks 92nd in three pointers attempted per game (23.7) while Stanford ranks 280th (18.1).
The Cardinal rank 30th in rebounds per game (38.8) while the Cowboys rank 177th in rebounds allowed per game (35.2).
Oklahoma State averages 4.0 blocks per game, which ranks 72nd in the NCAA. Stanford ranks 218th in blocks allowed per game (4.4).
The Cowboys average 6.6 steals per game, which ranks 93rd in the nation. The Cardinal rank 193rd in steals allowed per game (6.8).
Bettings Trends:
The Cardinal’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 0.6, down from 1.1 for the season.
During their last five games, the Cowboys have scored an average of 76.2 points per game (0.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 69.0 points per game (3.9 below their season average).
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