The Oklahoma State Cowboys and Colorado Buffaloes meet Tuesday night in the first round of the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Championship, a game that carries significant implications for both teams’ postseason hopes. Oklahoma State enters as a slight underdog, while Colorado comes in with momentum from its recent performances. With both teams eager to make a run in the tournament, we are expecting to have a fascinating matchup on day one of this tournament at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
Our Oklahoma State vs Colorado Pick
Pick: Oklahoma State +2.5 ATS PRO
Confidence: 3 out of 5
Game Snapshot
Matchup: Oklahoma State Cowboys @ Colorado Buffaloes
Date & Time: Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 9:30 PM ET
Venue: T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, Missouri
Broadcast: ESPN+
Key Storylines
Colorado won the last regular-season meeting 83-69 and has the edge in recent head-to-head competition.
Oklahoma State has a potent offense but has struggled in conference play, finishing 6-12.
Colorado’s bench scoring has been a strength, accounting for a large portion of its offense this season.
One would think that Oklahoma State will have more support in the stands at this event than Colorado, thanks to the geography of this tournament alone, as it is quite a trip from Colorado to Missouri.
Key Players
Colorado Buffaloes
Isaiah Johnson: Colorado’s leading scorer at around 17.0 points per game, a freshman who has emerged as one of the team’s primary offensive weapons and also contributes rebounds and assists.
Bangot Dak: Strong contributor with scoring and rebounding, adding balance to the Buffaloes’ frontline.
Barrington Hargress: Leads Colorado in assists and chips in scoring, providing playmaking stability and secondary scoring.
Oklahoma State Cowboys
Anthony Roy: Oklahoma State’s top scorer at roughly 16.7 points per game and a reliable perimeter threat, especially from beyond the arc.
Parsa Fallah: Produces double‑figure scoring and a team-high six rebounds per game, anchoring the frontcourt when available.
Vyctorius Miller: Secondary scorer with around 11 points per game, bringing balance to the Cowboys’ scoring arsenal.
Jaylen Curry: Provides assists and floor leadership in an up‑tempo offense that ranks among the Big 12’s most prolific.
Stat Comparison
Statistic
Oklahoma State
Colorado
Points per game
83.9
79.9
Points allowed per game
82.5
79.0
Team Field Goal %
46%
47%
Rebounds Per Game
37.9
34.3
Assists Per Game
14.8
15.6
Head-to-Head & Betting Trends
The teams last met on February 21, 2026, with Colorado winning 83-69.
The Cowboys are 62-49 all-time against Colorado.
Oklahoma State is 14-17 against the spread this season.
Colorado is 16-15 against the spread entering Tuesday night.
Oklahoma State vs Colorado Model Projection
Score Projection: Oklahoma State 80 – Colorado 81 ATS PRO
Win Probability: Oklahoma State 42%, Colorado 58% ATS PRO
Final Thoughts
This Big 12 Tournament opener will be a competitive duel between an offensively gifted Oklahoma State squad and a Colorado team that has shown it can make key plays in clutch moments. While the Cowboys can light up the scoreboard, Colorado’s balanced scoring and recent head-to-head win make it the more reliable pick to advance on Tuesday night. But I think it will be a tight game no matter who wins, and I'll take the points with the dog.
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