After losses to No. 14 Houston and West Virginia, it regarded like Oklahoma State is perhaps in for a repeat of final season when it opened up Huge 12 Convention play with six straight losses.
The Cowboys (9-5, 1-2 Huge 12) averted that destiny with a much-needed 79-66 win over Kansas State on Tuesday, led by a 27-point outing from Abou Ousmane.
Now, Utah (8-6, 0-3) is hoping for the same breakthrough efficiency in opposition to Oklahoma State when the 2 groups sq. off Saturday in Salt Lake Metropolis.
The Utes have struggled mightily thus far of their Huge 12 debut, shedding to Baylor (81-56), Texas Tech (93-65) and Iowa State (82-59) by a median of 25.3 factors.
Utah coach Craig Smith remained optimistic after the Utes misplaced to the third-ranked Cyclones on Tuesday. The Utes held an early lead and pulled inside six within the second half earlier than falling on the street.
One bonus was the truth that main scorer Gabe Madsen scored 20 factors after struggling by way of a hunch.
“I believed we did some actually good issues. Clearly, we have been struggling somewhat bit coming into (Tuesday),” Smith stated. “We’re not gentle on shedding, however I believed we took a step ahead for our staff for the place we’re making an attempt to go. We’ll preserve pushing ahead. Our greatest basketball is but to come back.”
Oklahoma State will attempt to preserve the ball rolling in a optimistic course because it begins a two-game journey in Utah, additionally together with a recreation at BYU on Tuesday.
Although defeating Kansas State was just one win, it certain beats beginning 0-6 like final yr.
“The actually good groups that you will see play their finest basketball in March would be the groups that determine it out the quickest,” Oklahoma State’s Brandon Newman instructed ocolly.com. “We confirmed actually good flashes (Tuesday), and I am hoping we may be this constant because the season goes on.”
Ousmane leads the Cowboys at 12.9 factors per recreation and Marchelus Avery is at 12.6 ppg. Each gamers common greater than 5 rebounds per recreation.
–Area Degree Media