It is not a compliment to be in the first game of the Big 12 Tournament. The Cincinnati Bearcats and the Oklahoma State Cowboys finished 7-13 in the conference. Notably, they ended their regular seasons against each other, the home underdog Cowboys springing the outright upset on Saturday.
My Cincinnati vs. Oklahoma State predictions and college basketball picks expect the Cowboys to again keep things close at tip at 12:30 ET on Tuesday, March 11.
Cincinnati vs Oklahoma State prediction
Who will win Cincinnati vs Oklahoma State?
A bolder man would make his best bet the Oklahoma State moneyline, available at +230 at bet365. The Cowboys force opponents to chuck from beyond the arc, 44.2% of opposing shots coming from deep in Big 12 play. That was the highest rate in the conference.
Against most teams, that would be a failing defensive strategy. However, Cincinnati makes 30.2% of its 3-pointers, No. 13 in the Big 12. In an unfamiliar neutral arena — the 18,000-seat T-Mobile Center in Kansas City — at a rather early time, the Bearcats should struggle even more than usual when shooting too many threes.
That will give Oklahoma City an opening to spring a second straight upset.
My best bet
Oklahoma State +7.5 (-105 at bet365)
My analysis
Beating the same team twice within four days is a tough ask. That is the biggest reason for some caution in this bet, taking the spread rather than the moneyline.
But look how Oklahoma State won on Saturday. It dictated terms, the second-fastest team in the Big 12 pushing the game to 72 possessions — slow by Cowboys’ standards — but the most possessions in a Cincinnati game in a month.
The Bearcats went 7 of 28 from deep, taking the exact shots Oklahoma State wanted. Logically, Cincinnati should be able to adjust. It has had two full days between games to ruminate, after all.
Then again, some of that reflection has been about losing three straight games despite being favored in the last two. The Bearcats have gone 2-5 outright in the last month, struggling to the finish line.
That may find a temporary reprieve with a win today, but covering this three-score spread will require slowing the likes of Abou Ousmane (9-for-18 with 24 points on Saturday) and Bryce Thompson (6 of 15 for 16 points). An inability to do that just days ago does not bode well today.
The Bearcats are unlikely to find a shooting rhythm in a big, empty arena with the tip coming before noon local. That many empty possessions will make a three-score spread far too large to cover.
Cincinnati vs Oklahoma State same-game parlay (SGP)
Oklahoma State +7.5
Under 138.5
Taking this Under is further doubt in Cincinnati to convert the bounty of 3-pointers it will take. Furthermore, the matchup on Saturday would have fallen to the Under if not for a Cowboys’ walk-on finding a layup in the closing seconds to celebrate Senior Day.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Cincinnati vs Oklahoma State odds
Cincinnati vs Oklahoma State live odds
Cincinnati vs Oklahoma State opening odds
- Spread: Cincinnati -6.0 | Oklahoma State +6.0
- Moneyline: Cincinnati -260 | Oklahoma State +210
- Over/Under: Over 138.5 | Under 138.5
Odds courtesy of bet365
Cincinnati vs Oklahoma State betting trend to know
Oklahoma State went a modest 11-9 against the spread in Big 12 play, which includes a strong close of 8-3 ATS since Feb. 1. Find more college basketball betting trends for Cincinnati vs. Oklahoma State.
How to watch Cincinnati vs Oklahoma State
| Location | T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, MO |
| Date | Tuesday, 3-11-2025 |
| Tip-off | 12:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
Cincinnati vs Oklahoma State key injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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