Xavier at Oklahoma State: 2021-22 key storylines for non-conference matchup

Nate Johnson and Bryce Thompson

If you are ever going to focus on a matchup in the backcourt, one would assume the attention will be on the point guards. As the primary ball-handler, they run the offense, are saddled with the majority of the decision-making, and have to defend the most important player on the court. When Xavier and Oklahoma State meet on Sunday, it will be the other guard in the backcourt.

For the Cowboys, it will be their leading scorer Bryce Thompson who averages 9.8 points per game since his transfer from Kansas. Three of Thompson’s four double-digit scoring games have come when he has attempted twelve or more field goals, yet earned two or fewer free throws.

Thompson has improved his three-point percentage by eight percent from his freshman year, but it still lies south of thirty percent.  As the only Cowboys player to attempt at least nine field goals per game it will be essential for the 6’5 guard to be successful on more than 41 percent of them.

Nate Johnson leads the Musketeers with 14.6 points per game, over two more than Colby Jones. Johnson is an offensive threat from the outside as well as getting to the rim off the dribble. Johnson averages three made shots from beyond the arc per game, which includes the 7 for 11 he connected on in the Musketeers’ victory over Virginia Tech, a game in which he played 40 minutes.

Johnson is going to be a difficult check for Thompson and even if Isaac Likekele picks up Johnson on a number of trips down the court, Thompson will have to deal with Colby Jones which is not much of a break.  Whether the two leading scorers are guarding each other or not, the balance of the game will come down to the two of them.