BEST LINES: Pinnacle +14½ -112 Bet365 +14½ -110 SportsInteraction +14½ -110 5DIMES +14½ -110

Posted at 12:30 PM EST.

8:00 PM EST. Early in the season, we want to go after Power-5 conference teams that overachieved last year and that are in line for big regression. The expectations were pretty low for Oklahoma State last season but the Cowboys got on a roll early and played well under first year head coach Brad Underwood. The Cowboys ended up being one of six Big-12 teams to make the NCAA Tournament. The Big 12 was statistically rated as the strong conference, per multiple mainstream advance analytic services, last season. The conference is set up to be fairly good again, and could send six once more but the Pokes will not be in that group. Mike Boynton takes over after his former boss, Brad Underwood, left for Illinois. Boynton's been trying to keep the ship steady after his chief assistant, Lamont Evans, was arrested in the FBI's investigation into bribery and fraud in college hoops recruiting. OSU also lost Jawun Evans, who was an NBA pick. Evans averaged a team high 19.2 points and was a great floor leader who basically carried this team to the NCAA Tournament. That loss stings, but fellow starters Phil Forte III and Leyton Hammonds have run out of eligibility. Forte was the team’s most prolific shooter, making 85 three-pointers. Throughout his collegiate career, Forte was one of the best pure shooters in the Big 12. Hammonds, a 6-8 forward, averaged 8.1 points and 4.9 rebounds. Without Evans, Forte and Hammonds, there are too many holes to fill and therefore covering big lines like this will also be difficult. That OSU won its opener by 39 points (78-49 over Pepperdine) only inflates its stock more for this one.

Coming off of a 13-17 (C-USA 7-11) season filled with high offensive triumphs, defensive struggles and a first round exit from the Conference USA tournament, the 49ers stock is low coming into this season. However, last season was the year Coach Mark Price was able to truly begin to mold the program in his image and this year he seeks to reap the benefits. Last season, the 49ers averaged 76.5 points per game, placing fourth overall in C-USA basketball in terms of scoring, second overall in terms of three point percentage as well as free throw shooting. With three of those major contributing pieces returning to the program, Mark Price and his coaching staff have a strong foundation to build off of.

For those of you that don’t know Mark Price, allow us to bring you up to speed. He was one of the best guards of his time, playing for the Cavs from 1986 to 1995 before finishing up his last three seasons for three different teams. He’s said to have a basketball IQ that is off the charts. Steve Kerr was quoted as saying that Mark Price “revolutionized the game”. Mark Price didn’t schedule this game in Oklahoma by coincidence. Price was born in Oklahoma and the city of Enid, Oklahoma, renamed the basketball arena Mark Price Arena, as a tribute to his accomplishments. Mark Price was also the coach of these 49ers last season but didn’t schedule a game back home. Why this year and not last? Mark Price knew his team wasn’t ready last year. He did not want to go back home and be embarrassed. If he trusts his team is ready this year to put up a big-time fight in his home state, we trust that too. With high hopes and even higher spirits, the 49ers look to be in good condition to bring this one in well under the number. 

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