Cincinnati and Oklahoma State Clash in Big 12 Tournament Opener

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Cincinnati Bearcats face off against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the first round of the 2025 Big 12 Conference Basketball Tournament on Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. ET at T-Mobile Center. This match-up comes just days after Oklahoma State defeated Cincinnati 78-67 in their regular-season finale.

The Bearcats enter the game as the 13th seed with a record of 17-14 overall and 7-13 in Big 12 play. Cincinnati has struggled recently, losing their last three games but holds a perfect 1-0 record on neutral courts this season. In contrast, the Cowboys, seeded 12th, have a record of 15-16 and also finished 7-13 in conference games, with a troubling 1-3 record at neutral sites during the 2024-25 season.

The latest odds place Cincinnati as a 5.5-point favorite, with the total points over/under set at 138.5. SportsLine’s model has simulated the game 10,000 times and shows some intriguing trends, particularly with one side of the spread hitting well over 60% of the time.

Leading Cincinnati is sophomore guard , who has reached double figures in scoring in his last ten games, including a pair of 25-point efforts in early February. He averaged 12.9 points, 3.7 assists, and 3.1 rebounds throughout the season, thus becoming a vital player for the Bearcats’ postseason hopes.

Joining him is senior guard , contributing significantly to Cincinnati’s offense with averages of 10.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. In their last meeting, he recorded 14 points and four assists against the Cowboys, showcasing his value in crunch time.

Oklahoma State will rely on fifth-year senior forward , who has provided a spark offensively, averaging 12.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and an impressive shooting percentage of 50.4%, including 44.4% from three-point range. He recently put up 24 points and eight rebounds in the victory over Cincinnati.

Another key player for the Cowboys is senior guard , who contributes 12.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. He continued his strong performance with a solid 16-point outing in their latest victory.

With both teams battling for survival in the postseason, this clash presents high stakes, as a victory could propel either team further into the tournament while keeping their March Madness aspirations alive.