GAME NOTES: The MGM Grand Main Event Heavyweight Bracket tips off on Monday night, as the Oregon State Beavers and the Oklahoma State Cowboys square off at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

The winner will advance to Wednesday's championship to play either Tulsa or Auburn. The losers will face off in the third-place game.

Oregon State opened the season on a three-game homestand and came out victorious in each matchup, marking just the second time in the past 14 years it has began a season 3-0 (2011-12 being the other). The Beavers defeated Oral Roberts in their latest game on Friday night, 55-42.

Oklahoma State is also off to a perfect start this season at 4-0, with each win coming on its home floor. The Cowboys most recently downed Milwaukee on Friday night, 82-68, and they have won each of their games by double-digit margins.

Oregon State leads the all-time series by a 5-1 count, but the programs haven't met since the 1971-72 season.

The Beavers actually trailed by two at the half of their latest game but took control of the contest by opening up the second stanza on a 12-0 run. They shot 48.8 percent from the field in the triumph, but the big story came on the other end of the floor where they held ORU to a lowly 20.9 percent shooting, as it had more than twice as many turnovers (20) as field goals (nine). Olaf Schaftenaar put up a team-high 12 points, while Malcolm Duvivier brought 10 points and four steals to the table.

Oregon State puts up a modest 69.3 ppg this season, but it does so while shooting greater than 50 percent from the floor. Meanwhile, it plays outstanding defense, holding opponents to a mere 30.4 percent shooting and 52.7 ppg. Five players score at least 9.0 ppg, with Langston Morris-Walker leading the way with 11.7 ppg. Morris-Walker is also tied for the team lead in rebounding (7.0 rpg) with Gary Payton II (10.7 ppg).

The Cowboys ran out to a commanding 44-27 lead at intermission of their latest game, and while they were outscored by Milwaukee over the final 20 minutes, they still enjoyed a convincing 14-point win. While both teams shot greater than 49 percent from the field, the Cowboys outscored Milwaukee at the free- throw line, 23-5, and also won the turnover battle, 17-8. Pacing four teammates in double figures was Phil Forte with 20 points. Le'Bryan Nash tallied 17 points, while Michael Cobbins and Anthony Hickey netted 15 points apiece.

Oklahoma State's early dominance this season has been reflected in its numbers, as it shoots 47.2 percent from the floor en route to 82.5 ppg, while allowing just 55.0 ppg on the other end. Forte leads the way with 18.0 ppg and has drained 14-of-31 from 3-point range (.458). Nash brings 17.5 ppg and 7.5 rpg to the table, and Anthony Allen (5.7 ppg) hauls in 10.0 rpg.

While both teams have played very well in the early going, Oklahoma State appears to be the more talented team with a deep well of playmakers, making it the most dangerous squad in this event.