Game Preview: Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. No. 3 Kansas Jayhawks

The Oklahoma State Cowboys host the No. 3 Kansas Jayhawks in Stillwater with a big opportunity to turn their conference play around.

While the Oklahoma State Cowboys dangerously need to get back on track after a 0-3 start to Big 12 basketball play, they host the No. 3 team in the nation in the Kansas Jayhawks. 

Now, the Jayhawks have proven to be vulnerable as they took a close loss to UCF less than a week ago, but they got on track with a win over Oklahoma just a few days ago. They're 2-1 in conference play and are going to look to continue to pile up as many wins as possible during conference play. 

The Cowboys will have to come out with a different energy if they want to be competitive in this one.

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Game Info:

Game time: 8:00 p.m. CT

Where: Gallagher-Iba Arena, Stillwater, OK

Records: OSU (8-8, 0-3), Kansas (14-2, 2-1)

Spread: Kansas -6.5

TV Channel: ESPN

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This game is a huge, huge opportunity for Oklahoma State. Taking on a top team in the nation is far from an easy feat, but a win would absolutely turn things around for the Cowboys. Starting off conference play the way they have, things have not been ideal for the Cowboys.

With some travel issues and two tough road games, the Cowboys' last competitive game came against Baylor, who is currently a top-10 team in the nation. Playing at home after a break, the Cowboys are likely to play better in this one than they did in Ames against Iowa State. 

Obviously, with Hunter Dickinson being a force in the paint at 7-foot-2, this will be a big game for freshman Brandon Garrison. Also, the Cowboys will have to deal with Kevin McCullar, who averages 19.9 points per game. 

Oklahoma State's Javon Small has the ability to make a big impact in this one. Playing off screens, he can be the engine of the offense while pulling Dickinson out of the paint and opening things up for the Cowboys. 

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