The Miami Hurricanes and Oklahoma State Cowboys — each coming off upset losses in opposition to mid-major colleges — will meet Friday afternoon in a Charleston Basic comfort recreation.
On Thursday afternoon within the first spherical at Charleston, S.C., Miami (3-1) by no means led whereas falling 80-69 to Drake.
Afterward Thursday, the Cowboys (3-1) squandered a 10-point lead in an 86-78 loss to Florida Atlantic.
The Friday matchup shall be particular for Cowboys backup level guard Arturo Dean, who’s from Miami.
Dean performed for Florida Worldwide the previous two seasons, and he led the nation in steals in 2023-24 with 104. He additionally led the Panthers in scoring (13.4 factors per recreation), rebounds (5.1 boards per recreation) and assists (4.0 per recreation).
“He takes great delight on protection,” Oklahoma State coach Steve Lutz stated. “You do not get 100-plus steals by chance.”
Hurricanes coach Jim Larranaga believes that the Cowboys will check Miami.
“They have some actually huge guys,” he stated. “We have not performed that kind of dimension but (this season).”
Up entrance, Oklahoma State begins 6-foot-10, 245-pound Abou Ousmane and 6-7, 230-pound Robert Jennings II. Jennings amassed 14 factors and 11 rebounds in opposition to Florida Atlantic, whereas Khalil Brantley scored a team-high 16 factors.
That is alleged to be a rebuilding season for the Cowboys, who have been predicted to return in 14th out of 16 groups within the Massive 12 primarily based on a preseason vote of the convention’s head coaches. The Cowboys have earned only one NCAA Event berth up to now seven years.
Lutz, after teaching Western Kentucky final season, is in his first 12 months with the Cowboys, who misplaced 4 starters from 2023-24.
Miami, in the meantime, has loads to show after a Thursday recreation through which Drake logged a 14-5 edge within the offensive rebounds. The Bulldogs additionally posted a 36-18 benefit in paint factors.
Miami’s protection had bother with Drake’s voluminous screens.
Two Miami starters — middle Lynn Kidd and energy ahead Brandon Johnson — shall be searching for bounce-back video games on offense. Kidd had simply two factors in opposition to Drake, whereas Johnson had seven.
Nijel Pack topped the Hurricanes with 17 factors, elevating his team-leading scoring common to fifteen.3 per recreation. Matthew Cleveland and Jalen Blackmon every put up 12 factors vs. the Bulldogs.
–Area Degree Media
