Busting Brackets
Fansided

NCAA Basketball: 2019 NIT Season Tip-Off preview and predictions

By Donovan Darlington

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 06: A detail as Samir Doughty #10 of the Auburn Tigers holds a ball during the 2019 NCAA Final Four semifinal against the Virginia Cavaliers at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 6, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 06: A detail as Samir Doughty #10 of the Auburn Tigers holds a ball during the 2019 NCAA Final Four semifinal against the Virginia Cavaliers at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 6, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 7
Next
LUBBOCK, TX – FEBRUARY 27: Lindy Waters III #21 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys makes a three point basket over Tariq Owens #11 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders at the buzzer to send the game into overtime on February 27, 2019 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Oklahoma State 84-80 in overtime. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX – FEBRUARY 27: Lindy Waters III #21 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys makes a three point basket over Tariq Owens #11 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders at the buzzer to send the game into overtime on February 27, 2019 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Oklahoma State 84-80 in overtime. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /

Oklahoma State

Record: 5-0

Oklahoma State has played well so far and currently sits at 5-0. The problem is, we are not yet aware of the level in which they are capable of playing because the competition they have handled has not been of the highest caliber. The Cowboys do have a key victory over a very talented College of Charleston squad that many consider being one of the top mid-majors in NCAA basketball.

That victory against College of Charleston came on the road two weeks back. They found themselves deadlocked at 30 with the Cougars through the first half of play. They then stepped up their game on both offense and defense and picked up a convincing 73-54 victory. If they want to show that they are legit, then they are going to have to play a lot more games like they did the second half that day.

The NIT Season Tip-Off will give us some of the answers we want in regards to Oklahoma State. They seem to be solid on defense, holding their opponents to only 60.0 ppg. Additionally, they also seem to possess a deep rotation.

In scoring, they are led by Senior guard, Lindy Waters III, and Sophomore guard, Isaac Likekele. The two average 13.0 ppg and 12.2 ppg respectively. After that, they have a whole group of guys that step up and provide their depth. Sophomore forward, Yor Anei, is their scoring threat inside and I am looking forward to seeing him test the Syracuse bigs on Wednesday night.

I expect to see Oklahoma State come out with a lot to prove in this tournament. They know that NCAA basketball fans are doubting their ability and saying their schedule is the reason for the 5-0 record. I think the Cowboys will come out and compete, using the momentum of 5-0 as fire when they take the court in Brooklyn.

Home/NCAA Basketball News