Western Michigan @ Oklahoma State preview

For the first time in the Mike Boynton era, Oklahoma State has opened the season with four consecutive victories following a 64-57 triumph Sunday over Yale, the defending Ivy League champions. The Cowboys, who have hit 80 points just once this season, will host a Western Michigan squad on Friday that is averaging 88.2 points per game – 17th nationally entering Thursday.

Lindy Waters III made buckets when it counted Sunday as the senior shot 8-for-18 from the floor but scored eight of his team-high 19 points in the final three minutes to help the Cowboys stave off the Bulldogs. “Lindy’s always been a player where he can just start hitting shots,” Oklahoma State sophomore Isaac Likekele told the media. “You know a lot of people say he doesn’t shoot the ball enough but that’s just not his major, he’s not a selfish player.” The whole Cowboys team struggled offensively against Yale as they combined to shoot 4-for-19 from 3-point range while their free-throw percentage (53.3, 8-of-15) and their 64 points scored were both season-lows. Western Michigan received 42 points off its bench Tuesday as part of a convincing 102-56 victory over Alma College that moved the Broncos to 4-1 on the season - their best start since 2012-13.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, No TV

ABOUT WESTERN MICHIGAN (4-1): Junior Rafael Cruz Jr. scored all his game-high 22 points after halftime Tuesday as the Chicago native hit 4-of-5 from downtown in just 15 minutes off the bench. The Broncos went 22-for-29 from the charity stripe Tuesday and enter Thursday ranked first in the country in free throws made (129) and attempted (169). The offense has been clicking for the Broncos as they’ve scored at least 100 points twice in their first five games – the first time the program has hit the century mark twice in a single season since 1999.

ABOUT OKLAHOMA STATE (4-0): Sophomore Yor Anei scored all 12 of his points after halftime Sunday and added seven rebounds and a pair of blocks – the 21st consecutive game he’s swatted at least one shot. Likekele did a little bit of everything against Yale, finishing with 11 points, five rebounds and team-bests of six assists and four steals. As a freshman last season, Likekele became the third Oklahoma State rookie to tally over 100 assists and 40 steals in a season and as a sophomore is currently sitting in the Big 12’s top 10 in both assists (4.8) and steals (2.0).

TIP-INS

1. The Cowboys have used the same starting lineup for 31 straight games – Waters, Likekele, and Anei along with seniors Thomas Dziagwa and Cameron McGriff.

2. This is the first-ever meeting between the programs and the first time Oklahoma State has hosted any member of the Mid-American Conference.

3. The Cowboys shot 34 free throws in their 80-75 season-opening win over Oral Roberts, but have just 40 attempts in their three games since.

PREDICTION: Oklahoma State 93, Western Michigan 83