#14 Houston basketball begins Big 12 conference play and their defense of the regular season title at Oklahoma State to wrap up 2024. Keep reading for the Houston vs Oklahoma State prediction.
The Cougars’ record in conference openers coming in is 39-25 after Houston crushed West Virginia 89-55 to win their first ever Big 12 game last season. Overall, UH has won their last nine conference openers and 16 of their last 17. However, Houston is 28-36 in road conference openers and lost to Iowa State but have won four of their last five.
General information:
Teams: Houston (8-3, 0-0) and Oklahoma State (8-3, 0-0)
Tip-off: 7 p.m. CST
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: KPRC 950
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The Cowboys enter with the same record and have won four of their last five. Their only loss during this streak was to #12 Oklahoma 80-65 in Oklahoma City. In their most recent action, the Cowboys beat Oral Roberts 86-64 at home on Dec. 22. Fifth-year forward Abou Ousmane led the way with 19 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks.
Fifth-year forward Marchelus Avery leads the Cowboys this season with 13.0 PPG and 5.6 RPG. Graduate guard Bryce Thompson is third with 10.5 PPG.
“Thompson has been there a while, he’s their steady guy, capable of getting 20 against a lot of people,” Kelvin Sampson said.
Steve Lutz is in his first season as head coach at Oklahoma State and fourth overall after two years as the head coach for Texas A&M CC where he built a 47-23 record and last season at Western Kentucky where he compiled a 22-12 record. This will be the first time Lutz has faced Houston or Kelvin Sampson.
“They’re extremely disruptive. Their speed, athleticism and quickness causes so many problems. They have an outstanding coach in Steve Lutz. They’ve got really good depth and not an easy team to prepare for. Their defense is their calling card,” Sampson said.
Oklahoma State currently has the lead in the all time series 13-10, but Houston has won the last two and three out of the last four. Most recently, the Cougars took care of business 79-63 at home in February in the first meeting as Big 12 rivals. The Cowboys own an 8-1 record vs Houston when they play at home, with Houston winning the last matchup in Stillwater 63-53 in 2018.
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UH has won four in a row and five out of their last six heading into conference play. The Cougars are coming off a 87-51 victory over Texas A&M CC on Dec 21 that extended the home win streak to 29 games, the longest in the nation. It was also the 100th win in the Fertitta Center. Junior guard Emanuel Sharp put up 18 points, which was his 10th straight game with double-digit points.
“It comes with playing hard and getting my day started on the defensive end,” Sharp said.
Graduate guard LJ Cryer leads Houston with almost 15 PPG and Sharp right behind him. The Cougars talked about their excitement heading into a road environment to start Big 12 play.
“I like the villain role, going in there and winning on somebody else’s court. We’ve been a good road team over the years and we’re looking to continue that,” Sharp said.
Sophomore guard Terrance Arceneaux talked about Oklahoma State’s fast pace and how it reminds him of an NBA game having to get out and run, needing a lot of subs and him getting to play the four to take advantage of mismatches.
“My favorite games are road games, seeing their bands get quiet after we make a big shot and we’re hype, it’s definitely a fun feeling,” Arceneaux said. “I feel like a freshman for my first Big 12 game, but I’m ready.”
Houston is ready to bring their experiences from last year and get out to a win in their first Big 12 game of the season.
“When we go on the road, everybody has got to stick together,” J’Wan Roberts said.
The Cougars will look to win their first conference road game unlike last season.
“It doesn’t matter what league you’re playing in, playing on the road is tough in all of them. In these road games, you need courage over comfort,” Sampson said.
Houston vs Oklahoma State prediction: Cougars by 10
UH faces a tough road environment for their first away game of the season and it will not be easy. This will be a close game early and throughout the first half. However, Houston will show their quality and take over, ultimately winning by double digits to start conference play with a ‘W’.
[…] Oklahoma State came in with a successful offense that averaged close to 80 per game, however did not come anywhere close to that as Houston held them to under 50. The starting five for the Cowboys greatly struggled as they shot a combined 4/24 (17%). Oklahoma State could only manage 18 points in the first half on 22% shooting and were remarkably held without a field goal for the final 10 minutes of that half. Brandon Newman led the way off the bench with 12 points. […]
[…] Oklahoma State came in with a successful offense that averaged close to 80 per game, however did not come anywhere close to that as Houston held them to under 50. The starting five for the Cowboys greatly struggled as they shot a combined 4/24 (17%). Oklahoma State could only manage 18 points in the first half on 22% shooting and were remarkably held without a field goal for the final 10 minutes of that half. Brandon Newman led the way off the bench with 12 points. […]