PREMIUM
Rogers' EARLY Friday SURPRISE >> PERFECT 4-0 in Tourney! 10-2 Past 3 Days!
(NCAAB) Oklahoma State vs. Michigan,
03/17/2017 8:15 AM, Score: 91 - 92
Point Spread: 2.50 | -108.00 Oklahoma State (Away)
Result: Win
Point Spread: 2.50 | -108.00 Oklahoma State (Away)
Result: Win
The set-up: Oklahoma State opened its Big 12 schedule 0-6 but rebounded to finish 9-9 in league play and 20-12 overall, earning a No. 10 seed. Michigan knows all about slow starts as well, as the Wolverines were just 14-9 (4-6 in Big Ten play) through Feb. 4th. However, Michigan won nine of its last 11 games, including four in four days to win the Big Ten tourney. At 24-11, Michigan enters the Big Dance as a No. 7 seed.
Oklahoma State: The Cowboys won 10 of 11 games from Jan. 21 through Feb. 25 and despite losing their last three games (twice to Iowa St. and once to Kansas), was able to make the tourney field, after missing out in 2016, which ended a run of four straight NCAA appearances. Oklahoma State is led by PG Jawun Evans (19.0 & 6.2 APG), who was named to the All-Big 12 First Team. Yes, OSU enters on a three-game slide but don't blame Evans, as he averaged 26.7 PPG during that span. Evans' backcourt partner Forte (13.3) joins him in double digits (note: Forte leads the nation in free-throw percentage at 95.3%), as does 6-6 forward Carroll (17.4 & 6.6). Carroll has 15, 20-point games this season.
Michigan: It was quite a finishing kick by the Wolverines, one which was capped by an impressive 71-56 victory over Wisconsin in Sunday's championship game (Michigan's first conference tournament championship since 1998!). Derrick Walton Jr. was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Big Ten tournament after averaging 20.5 points and 6.3 assists in the Wolverines' four victories. PG Walton (15.2-4.7-4.7) leads the team in scoring on the season, followed by backcourt partner Irvin (12.8-4.5-3.0). Michigan has size up front in the 6-11 Wagner (12.0 & 4.2) and the 6-10 Wilson (10.6 & 5.4).
The pick: Michigan head coach John Beilein is one of the game's best and the Wolverines are 6-0 in neutral-site games this season However, as he cautioned, "We've handled prosperity thus far, but now, we have to handle it again with a difficult game Friday." The Cowboys have not won an NCAA tournament game since 2009 and unlike the seasoned Beilein, OSU has a first-year head coach in Brad Underwood. However, while I believe the Big Ten was a mediocre league this year, no one questions the quality of play in the Big 12. Note that OSU may enter on a three-game slide but remember, those losses game against just two teams, Iowa St (Big 12 tourney champ) and Kansas, winner of 13 straight Big 12 regular season tiles). Make Oklahoma St. an 8* play.
Oklahoma State: The Cowboys won 10 of 11 games from Jan. 21 through Feb. 25 and despite losing their last three games (twice to Iowa St. and once to Kansas), was able to make the tourney field, after missing out in 2016, which ended a run of four straight NCAA appearances. Oklahoma State is led by PG Jawun Evans (19.0 & 6.2 APG), who was named to the All-Big 12 First Team. Yes, OSU enters on a three-game slide but don't blame Evans, as he averaged 26.7 PPG during that span. Evans' backcourt partner Forte (13.3) joins him in double digits (note: Forte leads the nation in free-throw percentage at 95.3%), as does 6-6 forward Carroll (17.4 & 6.6). Carroll has 15, 20-point games this season.
Michigan: It was quite a finishing kick by the Wolverines, one which was capped by an impressive 71-56 victory over Wisconsin in Sunday's championship game (Michigan's first conference tournament championship since 1998!). Derrick Walton Jr. was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Big Ten tournament after averaging 20.5 points and 6.3 assists in the Wolverines' four victories. PG Walton (15.2-4.7-4.7) leads the team in scoring on the season, followed by backcourt partner Irvin (12.8-4.5-3.0). Michigan has size up front in the 6-11 Wagner (12.0 & 4.2) and the 6-10 Wilson (10.6 & 5.4).
The pick: Michigan head coach John Beilein is one of the game's best and the Wolverines are 6-0 in neutral-site games this season However, as he cautioned, "We've handled prosperity thus far, but now, we have to handle it again with a difficult game Friday." The Cowboys have not won an NCAA tournament game since 2009 and unlike the seasoned Beilein, OSU has a first-year head coach in Brad Underwood. However, while I believe the Big Ten was a mediocre league this year, no one questions the quality of play in the Big 12. Note that OSU may enter on a three-game slide but remember, those losses game against just two teams, Iowa St (Big 12 tourney champ) and Kansas, winner of 13 straight Big 12 regular season tiles). Make Oklahoma St. an 8* play.
