The set-up: The Charlotte 49ers opened with 116- 76 rout over Methodist but know the going gets a little tougher here when the 49ers visit Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater tonight, when they square off against the Oklahoma State Cowboys. OSU opened this year on a high note with a 78-47 win over Pepperdine. Charlotte began last season 6-2 but lost seven of its next eight games and by year's end was a disappointing 13-17. The Cowboys started out 10-2 last season but a six-game slide almsot doomed tehir season. However, they righted the ship by winning 10 of their next 11 games, before losing four straight to end the season. That final loss came 92-91 to Michigan in the first round of the NCAAs.

Charlotte: The 49ers head into the current season optimistic that they can be a contender in C-USA this year. PG Davis (19.6 & 4.1 APG last year) has developed into a quality PG and his backcourt partner, White (11.3 & 4.0). complements him well. The versatile 6-7 Ajukwa averaged 11.4 & 4.8 last season and led the 49ers with 18 points in the team's season-opener. A 6-9 freshman from Serbia, Supica, came off the bench to match Ajukwa's 18 points, making 8 of 8 FG attempts. Senior guard Price was in the starting lineup with Davis and White and added 14 points.

Oklahoma State: Lindy Waters, a 6-6 sophomore, led Oklahoma State's starting-five in scoring with 14 points, seven rebounds and three assists, while Thomas Dziagwa led the bench players with 12 points. PG Evans (19.2 & 6.4 APG) was drafted by the NBA plus Forte (13.3) and Hammonds (8.1 & 4.9) have both graduated (Hammonds was the only player to start every game LY!). More bad news is the team's second-leading scorer from last yer, Jeffrey Carroll (17.5 & 6.6), is being held out while allegations regarding illegal payments are sorted out.

The pick: OSU has lost much off last year's team and the 49ers are not the high-scoring team we saw in their first game vs. a 'cupcake.' OSU always plays good D and the Under is a 10* play, here.