NCAA Basketball: Preview of the 2018-19 Big 12/SEC Challenge

LAWRENCE, KANSAS - JANUARY 21: K.J. Lawson #13 of the Kansas Jayhawks controls the ball as Talen Horton-Tucker #11 and Nick Weiler-Babb #1 of the Iowa State Cyclones defend during the game at Allen Fieldhouse on January 21, 2019 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 26: Rakym Felder #4 of the South Carolina Gamecocks reacts after a play against the Florida Gators during the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament East Regional at Madison Square Garden on March 26, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

South Carolina vs Oklahoma State

In a matchup of two teams that were expected to finish at the bottom of their conferences, this game should be much better than expected.

As of late, the Gamecocks have been brilliant. They’re 5-1 in conference play, and are making an interesting bubble bid as the NCAA tournament grows closer and closer.

Meanwhile in Stillwater, the Cowboys are dealing with multiple suspensions and transfers. That has led them to an 8-11 record, with a couple of pretty bad losses mixed in. Despite the record, Oklahoma State has stayed competitive, and with Lindy Waters at the helm, anything can happen on offense.

I would expect South Carolina forward Chris Silva to have a huge game. Silva has had a very good stretch during SEC play, and should feast against a very weak Oklahoma State forwards group. Silva is the leader of the Gamecocks team, and certainly should play as such.

South Carolina should continue to stay hot, and has looked really good against good teams. Therefore they should absolutely thrive against a bad team, such as this Oklahoma State team.

While most of the games on Saturday are going to be very close, this one shouldn’t be close at all. Even though Oklahoma State has home court advantage, I love the momentum behind this South Carolina team, and I don’t think they’ll have any problem disposing of a pretty weak OSU team.

I predict a blowout, one of the only ones of the day.

Prediction: South Carolina 75, Oklahoma State 53

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