Liberty Flames vs Oklahoma State Cowboys Prediction, 3/19/2021 College Basketball Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: Liberty Flames vs Oklahoma State Cowboys

Date: Friday, March 19, 2021

Location: Indiana Farmers Coliseum in Indianapolis, IN

TV: TBS

Odds/Point Spread: Liberty (+9.5)

The Liberty Flames (23-5) go to Indiana Farmers Coliseum on Friday where they'll meet the Oklahoma State Cowboys (20-8) in the NCAA Tournament. Oklahoma State opens this matchup as 9.5-point favorites. The O/U opens at 146.5.

Liberty enters this one with a mark of 23-5 on the campaign. They average 74.9 points per contest (86th in D-1) while connecting on 49.2% from the floor. The Flames are connecting on 39.1% on 3-pointers (289 of 740) and 77.7% from the charity stripe. As a unit, Liberty is snagging 33.4 boards per game and has tallied 446 dimes for the campaign, which ranks 10th in the country in terms of passing the rock. They lose possession by turning the ball over 9.7 times per contest and as a squad are committing 14.5 fouls on a nightly basis. On defense, the Flames are forcing 11.7 turnovers per contest while drawing 13.9 fouls. The Flames defense is allowing a FG percentage of 41.0% (611 of 1,492) and they surrender 29.6 rebounds per contest as a unit. They are currently ranked 93rd in college hoops in allowing assists with 259 relinquished on the season. They are surrendering 31.2% on 3-pointers and they are 3rd in the country in PPG allowed (59.6).

The Liberty Flames stepped onto the hardwood against the North Alabama Lions and took home the win by a score of 79-75 in their last game. Liberty finished having earned a 46.7% FG percentage (28 out of 60) and converted 10 of their 25 3-point shots. From the free throw line, the Flames converted 13 of their 14 attempts for a rate of 92.9%. When talking about hauling in boards, they collected 33 with 8 of them being on the offensive end. They also recorded 16 dimes for this contest as well as forcing 9 turnovers and getting 3 steals. When talking about defense, Liberty allowed 48.2% from the floor on 27 of 56 shooting. North Alabama earned 13 assists and had 5 steals in the matchup. Moreover, North Alabama had 25 boards (4 offensive, 21 defensive) and added 5 rejections. North Alabama finished the game at 75.0% at the free throw line by knocking down 9 of their 12 tries. They also buried 12 out of their 29 tries from downtown.

Darius McGhee is a guy who came through in this game. He notched 21 points on 7 out of 14 shooting. He was on the court for 36 mins and also totaled 8 rebounds. McGhee walked away from this one shooting 50.0% from the floor and also recorded 2 assists. One more player that was a determining factor in this contest for the Flames was Kyle Rode. He had 6 rebounds in 35 min played. He went 75.0% from the floor in this contest by shooting 6-of-8 (15 points). When the final whistle was blown, Rode earned 5 assists.

Oklahoma State has a win-loss record of 20-8 this season. The Cowboys are committing 16.8 personal fouls per contest and they hit 71.3% from the charity stripe. They are earning an assist 13.2 times per contest (174th in D-1) and they cough up possession 15.9 times per game. Oklahoma State has earned 2,158 points so far this season (77.1 per contest) and they pull in 38.6 rebounds per game. In terms of offensive execution, the Cowboys are hitting on 46.7% from the field, which has them ranked 63rd in D-1. The Cowboys on defense are ranked 249th in D-1 in points given up per game with 72.9. They relinquish 12.6 assists and 35.5 rebounds every game, which is 142nd and 209th in the nation. The Oklahoma State defense gives up 31.9% on shots from behind the 3-point line (209 of 656) and their opposition makes 70.6% of their foul shots. They are forcing 14.4 turnovers per game and allow teams to shoot 41.2% from the floor (61st in college basketball).

The last time they took the hardwood, the Oklahoma State Cowboys took a loss by a final score of 91-86 against the Texas Longhorns. The Cowboys were able to snag 20 defensive rebounds and 9 offensive boards totaling 29 in the matchup. They also coughed it up 13 times, while recording 9 steals for the contest. The Longhorns had 18 personal fouls in this game which took the Cowboys to the free throw line for a total of 17 attempts. They were able to make 13 of the free throws for a percentage of 76.5%. When discussing shots from 3-point land, Oklahoma State made 7 of 21 tries (33.3%). In all, the Cowboys ended up shooting 33 for 65 from the field which gave them a shooting percentage of 50.8%. The Cowboys allowed the Longhorns to make 28 of their 57 attempts from the floor which gave them a rate of 49.1% in this game. They finished 38.9% from distance by going 7 out of 18 and finished the game at 28 out of 36 at the charity stripe (77.8%). In the matter of cleaning the glass, Oklahoma State allowed Texas to grab 34 in total (10 on the offensive glass).

Cade Cunningham ended up being a major contributor for the Cowboys for this contest. He made 11 out of 23 in the game for a field goal rate of 47.8%, and had 3 rebounds. Cunningham racked up 29 points in his 33 minutes on the hardwood and had 3 dimes for this contest. One more player that ended being a contributor for Oklahoma State was Kalib Boone. He accumulated 2 assists in 29 minutes on the hardwood, and he knocked down 4 of 6 from the floor. Boone wrapped this one up going 66.7% from the floor in addition to totaling 12 points and 6 rebounds.

Who will win tonight's college basketball game against the spread?

Tony Sink's Pick: Take Liberty (+9.5)

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here