Pokes Prepare to Hit the Road for Big 12/SEC Challenge Against Florida

STILLWATER – Oklahoma State is looking to get back into the win column this weekend as the Pokes hit the road for a non-conference showdown with Florida in Big 12/SEC Challenge.

Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT on ESPN2.

The Big 12/SEC Challenge has been good to the Cowboys since its inception as the Pokes as 6-2, with three-straight wins in the series: Arkansas (2021), Texas A&M (2020) and South Carolina (2019). They also have wins over the Razorbacks in 2017, the Gamecocks in 2014 and Auburn in 2016.

As for the Big 12 as a whole, the conference is 44-35 against the SEC in the challenge.

The Cowboys are riding a two-game losing streak into Saturday’s game against the Gators, a 56-51 loss to No. 23 Texas in Austin last weekend, and an 84-81 heartbreak in overtime against No. 23 Iowa State this past Wednesday in Stillwater.

Avery Anderson III exploded for a career-high 34 points on 9-of-16 shooting from the field on Wednesday against the Cyclones. He also shot 5-of-11 from the 3-point line and 11-of-13 from the charity stripe.

The Gators also happen to enter this game on a two-game losing streak, as they lost 70-54 to Ole Miss on Monday, and 78-71 to No. 18 Tennessee on Wednesday.

As for the Gators, they enter the game averaging 71.3 points per game, while allowing just 63.8 on the other end. They’re shooting 43% from the field this season, 30% from 3-point range and 71% from the free throw line. As far as rebounding goes, they’re hauling in 35.2 a game, while turning the ball over 13.2 times and forcing 15.8 on the other end.

They’re led by senior forward Colin Castleton, who’s leading the team in both scoring and rebounding, with 15.4 points and 9.1 boards a game. At 6-11, he’s also recorded 44 blocks on the season.

The Gators also have two other scorers averaging double figures on the season, Phlandrous Fleming Jr. and Tyree Appleby, who’s averaging 10.3 and 10.1 points per game respectively.