GAMETHREAD: Basketball vs. Oklahoma State, 3pm, ESPN2

The 19th-ranked LSU Tigers (5-1) aim to bounce back from a last second overtime loss against #14 Florida State Friday afternoon with this afternoon’s third place contest against the Oklahoma State Cowboys (3-2).

The Cowboys took down mutual opponent Memphis 84-64 on Thanksgiving day before falling 77-58 to the defending national champions Villanova. Before the Invitational, Oklahoma State beat another mutual opponent in the Charleston Cougars by a score of 70-58.

Oklahoma State is also led by a second year head coach in Mike Boynton. Boynton drove his Cowboys to a 21-15 record in his first year, finishing ninth in a very balanced Big XII before being named a two seed in the NIT.

The two teams seem to be pretty evenly matched, if not for a slight edge to LSU. KenPom predicts a three point advantage for the Tigers, but don’t be surprised if shenanigans are afoot given LSU sports’ crazy weekend thus far. This has the potential to be another tight one, so don’t put down that defibrillator just yet.

This afternoon’s contest will tip off at 3pm and will be televised on ESPN2. You can also listen in on 98.1FM or join the discussion in the comments.

Oklahoma State Cowboys Projected Starting 5

#12 - Cameron McGriff: 14.6 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 32.6 MPG

#4 - Thomas Dziagwa: 13.6 PPG, 2.8 APG, 29.8 MPG

#13 - Isaac Likekele: 8.8 PPG, 3.4 APG, 25.0 MPG

#21 - Lindy Waters, III: 13.7 PPG, 3.0 APG, 33.3 MPG

#14 - Yor Anei: 5.2 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 16.2 MPG

LSU Tigers Projected Starting 5

#0 - Naz Reid: 13.4 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 21.0 MPG

#1 - Ja’vonte Smart: 11.2 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 25.6 MPG

#3 - Tremont Waters: 12.0 PPG, 7.2 APG, 3.4 SPG, 33.6 MPG

#4 - Skylar Mays: 12.6 PPG, 2.2 APG, 28.4 MPG

#24 - Emmitt Williams: 10.6 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 26.0 MPG