Kansas Jayhawks vs Oklahoma State Cowboys Picks and Predictions for Wednesday February 18 2026

By: Kim Smith Published 02/18/2026, 06:20 AM ET
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The Kansas Jayhawks travel to Stillwater on Wednesday night to take on the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:00 PM ET with coverage on Peacock. This Big 12 battle features a Kansas team firmly in the conference race facing an Oklahoma State squad looking to defend its home court. The spread is listed at Kansas -8.5, while the moneyline and total were not available at the time of this writing. Be sure to check out our free college basketball picks for more expert analysis and daily selections.

Jayhawks Looking to Rebound in Conference Play

Kansas enters this matchup with a 19-6 overall record and a strong 9-3 mark in Big 12 play. The Jayhawks have won four of their last five games, recently picking up victories over Arizona, Utah, Texas Tech, and BYU. Their lone setback in that stretch came on the road at Iowa State.

Offensively, Kansas averages 77.1 points per game while shooting an efficient 47% from the field. The Jayhawks also control the boards with 38.8 rebounds per game and average 14.7 assists per contest. Defensively, they allow just 68.0 points per game, showing balance on both ends of the floor.

One of Kansas’ biggest strengths is rim protection and interior defense. The Jayhawks average 6.1 blocks per game, a strong mark in conference play, and combine that with disciplined half-court defense. When Kansas limits second-chance points and controls tempo, they become extremely difficult to beat.

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Cowboys Trying to Stabilize at Home

Oklahoma State comes into Wednesday night with a 16-9 overall record and a 4-8 mark in Big 12 action. The Cowboys have struggled in recent weeks, dropping three straight games to TCU, Arizona State, and Arizona before earlier wins over BYU and Utah.

The Cowboys average an impressive 84.7 points per game on 47% shooting from the field, showing they can score in bunches. They also grab 37.7 rebounds per contest and dish out 15.4 assists per game. However, defensively they allow 81.3 points per game, one of the higher marks in the conference.

Oklahoma State’s high-scoring style has kept them competitive, but defensive lapses have cost them. Their 7.5 steals per game highlight an aggressive perimeter approach, yet they average just 2.8 blocks per contest, which could be problematic against Kansas’ interior presence. At home, the Cowboys will likely look to push the tempo and turn this into an offensive contest.

Kansas Jayhawks vs Oklahoma State Cowboys Pick

Kansas Jayhawks vs Oklahoma State Cowboys Spread Pick

  • Pick: Kansas Jayhawks -8.5

Kansas holds the edge defensively and has been far more consistent in conference play. While Oklahoma State can score, their defensive numbers are concerning against a balanced Kansas team that protects the rim and rebounds effectively. The Jayhawks’ ability to control pace and limit easy baskets should allow them to cover the number.

Kansas Jayhawks vs Oklahoma State Cowboys Total Pick

  • Pick: Over

I expect this game to lean toward the over despite Kansas’ defensive strength. Oklahoma State plays at a faster tempo and averages nearly 85 points per game. Even if Kansas controls stretches of the contest, the Cowboys’ pace should push the scoring higher. With both teams capable offensively, this matchup has the potential to surpass the posted total.

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