On Sunday’s Talkin’ Bout Them Cougars!, Kellen Sampson mentioned his admiration for the job that new Oklahoma State head coach Steve Lutz is doing. I agree with him 100%. The 11-10 (3-7) Cowboys travel to the Fertitta Center Tuesday night to face the #5 ranked 17-4 (9-1) Houston Cougars.

Lutz has switched up his starting lineup after losing to Houston in Stillwater to start Big 12 play. That game’s “Head of the Snake,” Khalil Brantley, now comes off the bench, and Florida International transfer Arturo Dean has been starting at point guard. Dean is quick and crafty on offense and is in the top 50 in the nation in steals per game. So, for this game, the head of the snake will be Texas Tech (boo!) transfer Robert Jennings. Why? He is from Texas Tech, and I hate them now, but also because he had 10 points and five rebounds against the Coogs in Stillwater. He gave Houston issues by getting in the paint and drawing fouls. He was 6-6 from the free-throw line as well.

Despite Emanuel Sharp being out against Oklahoma State and Colorado this week, I expect the Cougars to win this one. Tuesday will be a big opportunity for Terrance Arceneaux to step up, and I’d look for him to get some open opportunities in transition offense and to shine in the mid-range and at the rim. Houston will be standing on business against the Cowboys, and while I think OSU is on the rise, it won’t happen for them in this one.

Oklahoma State National Rankings

• Net – #110; Houston Ranked #3
• Kenpom – #111; Houston Ranked #3
• AP Poll – #NR; Houston Ranked #5
• Coaches Poll – #NR; Houston Ranked #5

Oklahoma State Offensive Rankings (Top 50 in Nation)

#11 – Bench Points Per Game: 32.86

#12 – Free Throw Attempts Per Game: 25

#12 – Free Throw Makes Per Game: 18.1

Cowboy Defensive Rankings (Top 50 in Nation)

#17 – Turnovers Forced Per Game: 14.62

#44 – Steals Per Game: 8.6

Oklahoma State Offense Notes

• They run a lot of 4 out, 1 in dribble-drive motion offense. This spreads the floor to create driving opportunities to score or kick out for open three-point shot attempts.
• OSU loves to push the ball in transition offense. They like to look for Ousmane on the rim run.
• They are a decent shooting team but prefer to get the ball in the paint. The motto for teams that run the “Dribble-Drive Motion” offense is “We like the three, but we LOVE layups.” That’s Oklahoma State in a nutshell.
• The Cowboys are one of the best teams in the nation at getting to the free-throw line. This is a direct reflection of them getting in the paint and looking to attack the rim.
• They have some fire-power off the bench. Guys like Marchelus Avery and Brandon Newman want to bring offensive energy when they enter the game.

Cowboy Defense Notes

• The Cowboys like to play high-pressure HC M2M defense. They like to jump through passing lanes to force deflections and steals (UH had 12 turnovers in Stillwater). They work hard on defense.
• OSU may try to run a 1-2-2, 3/4 court trap. They most likely will run following a dead ball and like to run it after a timeout or following a second free-throw attempt.
• If the Cowboys line up in a fullcourt M2M press, it will likely turn into a “run and jump” trap. The closest defender will leave his man when the dribble approaches him to trap the ball handler.
• Oklahoma State likes to “blitz” the ball screen when possible. If UH can whip the ball around quickly enough when they blitz, they can get wide-open looks.

OSU Personnel Report

*#1 – Bryce Thompson – 6’6″ – GR – Guard – (Kansas) – 12ppg, 3rpg.

• Talented guard;
• Went 0/6 vs. UH in Stillwater;
• Capable of making really tough jump shots;
• Shooting the three-pointer well – 23/60 (38%);
• Good finisher in the paint.

*#2 – Arturo Dean – 5’11” – JR – Guard – (Florida International) – 7ppg, 3rpg, 3apg, 2spg.

• Super quick combo-guard;
• Great court vision;
• Excellent pressure defender – averages two steals per game;
• Good finisher at the rim, especially with his left hand;
• Capable, but not a great three-point shooter – 7/26 (27%);
• Nationally Ranked Top 50: #38 – Steals Per Game: 2.00.

*#14 – Jamyron Keller – 6’3″ – SO – Guard – 6ppg, 2rpg.

• Stocky/strong shooting guard;
• Strong finisher in the paint;
• Good free-throw shooter;
• Mediocre three-point shooter – 17/65 (26%).

*#25 – Robert Jennings II – 6’7″ – JR – Forward – (Texas Tech) – 6ppg, 4rpg.

• Head of the Snake
• Super athletic forward;
• Solid at attacking the rim;
• Wants to get the ball in the paint as much as possible;
• Loves to get to the free-throw line; 55/65 (85%).

*#33 – Abou Ousmane – 6’10” – GR – Forward – (North Texas/Xavier) – 12ppg, 6rpg, 1bpg.

• Big body forward; Super physical;
• Nice hook shot over his left shoulder;
• They like to look for him on the rim run in transition offense;
• Can step out to shoot the three if left unguarded – 8/15 (53%).

#0 – Marchelus Avery – 6’8″ – 5th – Forward – (NW FSU CC/New Mexico State/UCF) – 13ppg, 5rpg.

• Lengthy forward off the bench.
• World Traveler! On his 4th college;
• Solid three-point shooter; Likes to shoot it as the trail in transition offense; 38/102 (37%);
• Capable of scoring in the post;
• Gets a little loose with the ball when driving;
• Goes by Chi Chi.

#5 – Khalil Brantley – 6’1″ – SR- Guard – (La Salle) – 6ppg, 3rpg, 2.5apg.

• Highly-coveted transfer portal guard;
• VERY much a NYC point guard: Tough, smart, shifty, play-maker;
• Likes to FC pressure on defense;
• Crafty guard in the paint; Makes “jelly” finishes at the rim;
• Doesn’t shoot a ton of three-pointers, but is capable: 7/24 (29%);

#24 – Patrick Suemnick – 6’8″ – GR – Forward – (Robert Morris/Triton College/West Virginia) – 3ppg, 2rpg.

• World Traveler!;
• Big body forward; Big-time energy guy on a bad WVU team last year. I felt like he was one of the few players on that squad who played hard;
• Is getting more playing time since the last time they played Houston;

#6 – Brandon Newman – 6’5″ – GR – Guard – (Purdue/Western Kentucky) – 7ppg, 3rpg.

• Athletic guard off the bench;
• Looks to bring an offensive spark when entering the game;
• Three-level scorer; Really good jump shooter from mid-range;
• Good from beyond the arc – 22/63 (35%).

#19 – Andrija Vukovic – 6’10” – FR – Forward – 2ppg, 1rpg.

• Big body forward;
• Not bad around the rim; Draws a decent amount of fouls;
• Allergic to rebounding at 6’10”.

#4 – Davonte Davis – 6’4″ – 5th – Guard – (Arkansas) – 2ppg, 2rpg.

• LEFTY;
• Big time energy guard off the bench;
• Was a great player at Arkansas…Not sure why he doesn’t play more at OK State;
• Pesky defender with a long wing span.

Keys to Victory

1. Take care of the ball. Oklahoma State thrives on creating turnovers via their pressure defense. Milos and the guards must attack their defense by faking a pass to make a pass, getting the ball in the middle of their zone press, and finding open-shot opportunities. It is difficult to dribble through a zone press.
2. Limit their bench scoring. The Avery, Newman, and Brantley trio average 26ppg off the bench. They are looking to bring instant offense. The Coogs will need to take them away and not allow them to bring energy off the bench.
3. Keep the ball out of the paint. The Cowboys strive to get multiple paint touches on every possession. Houston must not only keep them out of the paint but must do so without fouling and giving them free-throw opportunities. They make a living from the free-throw line and love an ugly game.
4. Create extra scoring opportunities. The Coogs could use extra scoring opportunities, especially without Emanuel Sharp. They need to create turnovers and own the offensive glass. These have been two major strengths for the Coogs this season, and they should look to capitalize on them Tuesday night.
5. Slow down their transition offense. The Cowboys would LOVE to run in transition offense and create early shots. The Coogs should look to pressure Dean and Brantley and prevent them from pushing the ball quickly up the floor to create early offense.