Picks, Point Spread, Preview: What to Know for OSU vs. West Virginia

Oklahoma State faces an early morning affair Thursday as it opens Big 12 tournament play against West Virginia in a 10:30 a.m. (!) tip.

The Pokes are coming off a road win over the Mountaineers to close the regular season, but they enter the tourney having split the series this season. So Thursday will serve as the official tiebreaker with bigger stakes than ever.

Here is how we expect the game to go and how to watch.

Picks

• Spread (KenPom): West Virginia -2

Marshall Scott: I’m kind of shocked that West Virginia favored here. With Cade Cunningham and Isaac Likekele expected to play, I sort of think OSU runs away with this one. OSU blew a 19-point lead against West Virginia in early January, but this young team has matured a lot since then. I’m picking the Pokes to the semis.

Pick: Oklahoma State 84, West Virginia 74

Kyle Boone: Beating West Virginia in Morgantown without Cade Cunningham last week was arguably Mike Boynton’s best coaching job to date. This team is really hitting its stride. Now, the expectation is that both Cunningham and Isaac Likekele will be back for Thursday. At full strength (or something close to it), I’m just going to take the team with the best player. Should be a close one.

Pick: Oklahoma State 77, West Virginia 75

Kyle Cox: I know the Mountaineers will be looking for revenge after the Pokes spoiled Senior Day and held off Bob Huggins’ 900th win, but I can’t pick against OSU with Cade and Ice back in the lineup. I think it will be a dogfight, but give me OSU to move on to the semifinals on Friday.

Pick: Oklahoma State 82, West Virginia 79

Viewing information

• Tip time: 10:30 a.m. Thursday

• Location: T Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri

• Channel: ESPN/2