Oklahoma State at Kansas: Preview and Players to Watch
Yet another quick turnaround for the Jayhawks this week, with another Big Monday matchup. This game won't be against as tough an opponent as last Monday's disappointing loss to Texas.
Overview
The Jayhawks have already faced Oklahoma State once, in Stillwater, and it was one of their easier Big 12 games this season to date. The Cowboys used a big push at the end of the first half to keep the game in doubt for a while, but Kansas pulled away in the second and, unlike their recent games, never let the opponent come back and make it a nailbiter, winning 74-63.
Oklahoma State is yet another Big 12 team that (sigh) plays great defense, but (fortunately) struggles offensively. In Big 12 play they've been the 2nd most efficient defense, and KenPom ranks them 14th nationally in defensive efficiency. They've stayed very good at forcing turnovers into league play, and they do a great job of limiting easy shots without fouling. However, they aren't very strong on the defensive glass, and that's an area where Kansas, specifically David McCormack, excels. They key to scoring in this one may involve generating some extra looks by hauling in their own misses.
Offensively, Oklahoma State is pretty bad. Only West Virginia, TCU, and Iowa State have lower offensive efficiency in league play, and KenPom rates their offense 125th nationally. They've shot poorly from two and from three against Big 12 competition, and stay afloat by taking care of the ball (something KU couldn't exploit even if they didn't), and by grabbing a decent number of their own misses (another area where Kansas struggles to limit teams). If Kansas can keep the Cowboys from getting easy shots, OSU shouldn't be a threat to put up big scoring numbers.
Players to Watch
Bryce Thompson, 6'5 sophomore guard
Thompson hasn't been one of Oklahoma State's best players, but since he was in a Jayhawk uniform just last year, it seems right to highlight him. Thompson struggled to earn minutes as a freshman at Kansas despite his 5 star recruiting rating, and as a sophomore, he isn't exactly lighting it up in Stillwater, either. It is worth noting that over the last month or so, Thompson is earning more minutes and putting up more points than he was earlier in the year. The first two 20+ point performances of his career came since the first meeting between these teams, and he'll likely come into this one feeling more confident than his 8-points-on-12-shots game at Gallagher-Iba
Isaac Likekele, 6'5 senior guard
Likekele is one of those fourth year seniors who seems like he's been in the league for much longer. He hasn't changed much since his freshman year, either: he's still a volume scorer who doesn't shoot very well, but can both get his points and make plays for others. He is a bit turnover prone, but can also generate steals on the defensive end.
Avery Anderson, 6'3 junior guard
Here's where I try to highlight the opponent's "best" three point shooter. Anderson does have the highest 3P% on the team out of anyone with more than single digit attempts, but he's sitting at 34.2% on 76 tries. That should tell you how often and how well this team shoots from range. The Cowboys overall sit right around 30% from three in both non-con and Big 12 play. Expect them all to go off on Monday.
Prediction
I kid (mostly). Oklahoma State knows they don't shoot well, and don't even attempt many threes. It would be very uncharacteristic for them to hurt the Jayhawks with a distance shooting performance. This OSU team is looking a little better lately, but they aren't of the same quality as Texas, or even the Oklahoma team that have the Jayhawks trouble on Saturday. Given KU's recent uneven play, I think the 'Pokes can hang around, but I don't seem making the fans in Allen Fieldhouse too nervous. Kansas 79, Oklahoma State 70
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