Oklahoma State University Athletics
Sixth-Ranked Cowboys Face Wildcats
January 03, 2014 | Cowboy Basketball
Jan. 3, 2014
#6 OKLAHOMA STATE at KANSAS STATE
Saturday, Jan. 4 • 3 pm
Bramlage Coliseum
Manhattan, Kan.
Television — ESPNU
Mark Neely | play-by-play
Tim Welsh | analyst
Cox (OKC) — 253
Cox (Tulsa) — 253
Suddenlink — 503
direcTV — 208
Dish — 141
U-Verse — 605
Radio — Cowboy Radio Network
Dave Hunziker | play-by-play
John Holcomb | analyst
Game notes vs Kansas State in PDF format
Game Information
For the second-straight season, Oklahoma State will open the Big 12 Conference portion of its schedule in Manhattan, Kan., as the Cowboys face Kansas State in the league opener. Tipoff for Saturday's game in Bramlage Coliseum is set for 3 pm and the game will be televised by ESPNU (please note, the tip time is different than the initially publicized start of 11 am). OSU is 49-74 all-time against the Wildcats, including a 15-36 mark in Manhattan.
About Oklahoma State
Sixth-ranked Oklahoma State is 12-1 this season following a 92-66 victory over Robert Morris on Monday evening. The Cowboys are averaging nearly 87 points per game this season with four players averaging double figures. Marcus Smart leads the scoring attack with 17.2 ppg, among the leaders in the Big 12 Conference. Markel Brown is averaging 16.5 ppg, while Le'Bryan Nash (13.5 ppg) and Phil Forte (12.2 ppg) are all averaging double figures.
OSU is shooting 50.3% from the floor, including 38.5% from beyond the arc. The Cowboys have a scoring margin of 23.2 points per game. They also have a league-leading +4.7 turnover margin. OSU's defense has allowed more than 70 points just three four this season, giving up 63.7 ppg, 37.8% FG defense and 30.1% 3-point FG defense.
About Kansas State
Kansas State is 10-3 this season, including a 7-1 mark at home. The Wildcats are receiving votes in the latest AP poll. KSU has three players averaging double figures: freshman guard Marcus Foster is scoring 13.8 ppg, while senior guard Shane Southwell and junior forward Thomas Gipson are both chipping in 11.5 ppg.
As a team, Kansas State is averaging just 67.4 ppg, but allowing a league-low 57.8 ppg. The Wildcat defense is giving up just 39.5% shooting from the floor, including 26.3% from beyond the arc. Offensively, KSU is shooting 41.8% from the floor and 30% from long range. The Wildcats are coached by Bruce Weber, who is 37-11 in his second season in Manhattan.
Series History with Kansas State
Kansas State leads the all-time series with the Cowboys, 74-49, including a 36-15 mark in Manhattan. However, since 1990, Oklahoma State is 27-12 vs the Wildcats. OSU is 14-6 vs KSU since the Big 12 formed in 1996-97 and is 5-4 in Bramlage Coliseum during that time.
After a 73-69 victory over the 10th-ranked Wildcats in 2010, Oklahoma State last lost its last two trips to Manhattan — 77-58 in 2012 and 73-67 last season.
Last Season vs the Wildcats
Oklahoma State and Kansas State split two regular-season games in 2013, with the Wildcats taking the rubber match in the Big 12 Championship semifinals, 68-57. The Cowboys shot just 30.5 percent, including 23.8 percent from long range, as K-State advanced to the finals.
In the three games, Marcus Smart averaged 21.3 points and 3.7 assists per game. Markel Brown averaged 14.3 ppg, while Le'Bryan Nash averaged 13.7 ppg.
OSU in Big 12 Openers
Oklahoma State is opening Big 12 Conference action in Manhattan for the second-straight season. In the 18th season of Big 12 existence, OSU is starting league play on the road for the ninth time.
The Cowboys are 11-6 in overall league openers since the Big 12 formed in 1996-97, and 6-11 in their first road game in conference play. OSU is 3-5 when opening league play on the road.
Since 1996-97, Oklahoma State is 158-118 in Big 12 play, the fourth-best record statistically in the league. The Cowboys had a six-win improvement last year, going from 7-11 in 2012 to 13-5 in 2013.
Up Next for OSU
Oklahoma State will open the home portion of its league schedule next Wednesday, Jan. 8, as the Cowboys host Texas in an 8 pm tipoff on ESPNU.
It's back on the road as the Pokes travel to Morgantown, W.Va., on Saturday, Jan. 11, as OSU faces West Virginia at 3 pm CT on the Big 12 Network.
The Cowboys host TCU on Wednesday, Jan. 15, at 7 pm in a game also televised on the Big 12 Network.
