Xavier vs Oklahoma State Odds and Picks (Dec. 5)

• The Oklahoma State Cowboys are 3.5-point home favorites over the Xavier Muskateers in an NCAA men’s basketball game slated for Sunday, December 5
• This game is part of the Big 12/Big East Battle
• It’s the first-ever meeting between Xavier and Oklahoma State

The Xavier Muskateers are 6-1 on the season and already with a win under their belts over a ranked team. The 6-2 Oklahoma State Cowboys will play host to Xavier on Sunday coming off a home loss to the Wichita State Shockers.

Xavier vs Oklahoma State Odds

Odds as of December 4th at BetMGM.

Could another shocker be heading Oklahoma State’s way? Then again, after beating nationally-ranked Ohio State already this season, would a road win here by the Muskateers really be all that shocking?

Oddsmakers are liking the Cowboys to take this one. Oklahoma State are 3.5-point home favorites. The Cowboys are 2-4 against the spread this season when a favorite of 2.5 points or more.

Tipoff for Sunday’s game at Gallagher-Iba Arena is set for 5pm ET. ESPN2 is carrying the broadcast.

Xavier Muskateers Betting Trends

Senior guard Nate Johnson leads the Muskateers in scoring. He’s averaging 14.9 points per game. Junior forward Jack Nunge is third on the team in scoring at (11.7 ppg) and second on the team in rebounding (7.7 rpg).

Sophomore guard Colby Jones (12.0 ppg) and senior guard Paul Scruggs (11.9 ppg) are also hitting for double digits in points on average. Jones is grabbing a team-leading average of 9.3 rebounds per game.

🛫 | Next stop: Stillwater, OK#LetsGoX pic.twitter.com/vXGFBaMod6

— Xavier Basketball (@XavierMBB) December 4, 2021

Johnson paced Xavier with 24 points as the Muskateers whipped Central Michigan 78-45 in their last game. Junior forward Zach Freemantle returned from foot surgery for Wednesday’s victory over Central Michigan. Last season, he led the Muskateers in scoring (16.1 ppg) and rebounding (8.9 rpg) while earning Second Team All Big East recognition.

Oklahoma State Cowboys Betting Trends

Balance is the name of the game when it comes to the Oklahoma State attack. Sophomore guard Bryce Johnson leads the way with 9.8 ppg. Junior guard Avery Anderson (9.3 ppg) is right there with him.

When it comes to the boards, Sophomore forward Matthew Alexander-Moncrieffe (6.3 rpg), junior guard Isaac Likekele (6.0 rpg) and seven-foot sophome center Moussa Cisse (5.9) are the leading glass cleaners for the Cowboys. A transfer from Memphis, Cisse is recording a 14.7 block percentage. According to KenPom that ranks 14th in the country.

It's about the response. #NewEra I #GoPokes pic.twitter.com/AjyeKUsS66

— OSU Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) December 2, 2021

So far this sesaon, 55% of Oklahoma State’s points (326) this season have come inside the paint. Another 171 points were produced off the fast break. And 51% of the Cowboys’ scoring has come from off the bench.

The Cowboys are forcing a turnover on 27.1 % of their defensive possessions. That ranks seventh in the country. They’re also seventh in the nation in block percentage (19.6%) and steal percentage (`5.2%).

Muskateers vs Cowboys Prediction

The Cowboys are 43-38 straight up all-time against Big East schools. Xavier’s only loss so far this season was to Big 12 school Iowa State.

Oklahoma State rates #8 nationally in KenPom adjusted defensive efficiency. The Cowboys are holding teams to 61.5 ppg. Oral Roberts is the only school to score more than 70 points on the Cowboys. Oklahoma State has held four teams below the 60-point barrier.

Bounce back stronger.#NewEra I #GoPokes pic.twitter.com/Dv93WV4kMY

— OSU Cowboy Basketball (@OSUMBB) December 2, 2021

They’re limiting opponents to 36.7% shooting, which rates 16th in the nation. That doesn’t bode well for a Xavier team that’s 196th in the NCAA in scoring offense, netting just 71.7 ppg.

Xavier are also no slouches on the defensive side of the ball. The Muskateers are 29th in opposition field goal percentage (37.5%) and 22nd in effective field goal percentage (42.6%).

Oklahoma State is 4-4 ATS and on the over/under. Xavier is 5-2 ATS and 2-5 on the total. Xavier is 2-0 in the annual Big East-Big 12 Battle matchups.

Pick: Xavier Muskateers -3.5 (-110).