Oklahoma State @ Southern Illinois u122.0 (-110)
Tue Mar 18 ‘08 9:00p
The Southern Illinois Salukis are accustomed to playing low scoring games in the Missouri Valley Conference, while the Oklahoma State Cowboys do not object to a half-court pace either, so points should be at a premium tonight.The Under is 4-1 in the last five Southern Illinois games, with a very low average combined total score of just 115.4 point in those contests. They are playing great defense during this stretch, limiting their opponents to 41.0 percent shooting from the floor, and considering that Oklahoma State is shooting just 40.7 percent from the floor on the road for the entire season, we look for that fine defense to continue.

Now the Salukis are averaging 67.6 points per game offensively at home this season, but we are not convinced they could reach that level vs. a Big 12 opponent here. Southern Illinois’ scoring average drops to 62.2 points when they played out of conference this season, and in three games against the six so-called power conferences, the Salukis scored 45 points vs. USC, 51 vs. Indiana and 63 vs. Mississippi State.

Another effort in the 50s would not surprise us here, so look for a safe Under.

CBB Free Pick: Oklahoma State, Southern Illinois Under 122

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