Five Things to Know Before WVU vs. Oklahoma State

West Virginia will host the second Big 12 team to come to the WVU Coliseum this season with Oklahoma State. In a big game for both teams in a deep conference, let’s take a look at five things to know before tip off in Morgantown.

Malik Curry is a Game-time Decision

In the last game against Kansas State, WVU guard Malik Curry injured his right ankle, landing awkwardly on a teammates’ foot. Curry left the game and didn’t return.

On Monday, WVU head coach Bob Huggins told the media that Curry will be fine.

“He didn’t practice [Sunday],” WVU head coach Bob Huggins said. “But we think he’s going to be able to go [for Oklahoma State].”

CBS Sports insider Jon Rothstein reported on Tuesday morning that Curry will be listed as a game-time decision, according to someone within the basketball program.

West Virginia's Malik Curry (knee) will be a game-time decision for tonight's game against Oklahoma State, per a school spokesman.

Averages 7.1 PPG. Transfer from Old Dominion.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) January 11, 2022

Oklahoma State is Always a Tough Game Under Boynton

Under Oklahoma State head coach Mike Boynton’s tenure in Stillwater, the Mountaineers are 4-5 against the Cowboys. Last season, WVU went 1-2 against Oklahoma State, with their only win being a 19-point second half comeback.

After losing the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft in Cade Cunningham, Boynton and his staff retooled their roster. Oklahoma State returned Avery Anderson, Isaac Likekele, Keylan Boone and Kalib Boone. The Cowboys added transfers Bryce Thompson (Kansas) and Moussa Cisse (Memphis), who are producing well so far.

Oklahoma State was ruled ineligible for the NCAA Tournament back in November. You could say maybe they lost any motivation to compete for anything, but the Cowboys got together and picked up their best win of the season, on Saturday, defeating No. 14 Texas.

Must-win Scenario for WVU

For the Mountaineers, this is a must-win game.

West Virginia is playing a team at home that has struggled in non-conference play. Looking at their next eight games, this is their best opportunity to pull off a win.

Schedule After OSU:

at No. 9 Kansas

vs. No. 1 Baylor

at No. 19 Texas Tech

vs. Oklahoma

at. Arkansas

at. No. 1 Baylor

vs. No. 19 Texas Tech

vs. No. 15 Iowa State

With how brutal WVU’s schedule is over the next eight games, how can the Mountaineers be confident to make the NCAA Tournament? It appears as eight conference wins will do the job for any team in the Big 12, because of the NET rankings. West Virginia has one Big 12 win, seven more to go.

“You win eight games in this league, you’re going to raise up pretty good in the NET,” Huggins said on Monday. “Obviously you want to finish higher because they’re not going to seed somebody who won eight games over somebody that won 11 games.”

Betting Lines

The spread for the West Virginia and Oklahoma State game is -3 WVU. The WVU money line is -150.

The over-under is 134.

Not a bad idea to bet on the Mountaineers on Tuesday night. West Virginia plays down to everyone but they haven’t lost yet at home. The spread wouldn’t be a bad idea to bet on since the odds of WVU winning by one point or two is lower than them winning by three or more. If you don’t feel comfortable taking the WVU spread, then just safety take the money line.

Fun fact: West Virginia hasn’t lost a home game since Oklahoma State came into town, last March.

How to Watch and Listen

You can watch West Virginia take on Oklahoma State on Tuesday, at 9 p.m., on ESPN2. The Big 12 Conference matchup between the Mountaineers and the Cowboys will take place inside the WVU Coliseum.

The game was originally supposed to be televised on ESPNU, but due to a game getting canceled, WVU and OSU moved into the ESPN2 spot.

Mountaineer Sports Network will broadcast the game on the radio, with Tony Caridi and Jay Jacobs once again calling WVU games for the entirety of this season.