Oklahoma State vs Oklahoma Odds
| Oklahoma State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3.5 -110 | 131.5 -110o / -110u | +145 |
| Oklahoma Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3.5 -110 | 131.5 -110o / -110u | -175 |
Oklahoma State and Oklahoma each stepped out of conference last Saturday as part of the SEC-Big 12 Challenge, and now they meet on Wednesday night for the second edition of the basketball version of Bedlam.
Oklahoma State cruised to a 82-60 victory over Ole Miss last weekend to improve their record to 12-9. Oklahoma's task was a bit tougher in hosting the then-No. 2 Alabama, but came away with an impressive 93-69 victory and enter this 12-9 as well.
Oklahoma State won the first meeting, 72-56 in Stillwater. The Cowboys are 7-4 in the last 11 meetings and have won five of the last six, but come into this matchup as short underdogs.
Oklahoma State Cowboys
Oklahoma State has won three of its last four games. During that stretch, it has averaged 72.5 points per game — an uptick from its season average of 68.8 PPG. However, Oklahoma State still finds itself outside of the top 100 in adjusted offensive efficiency and last in the Big 12.
Oklahoma State has three players averaging around 11 PPG in forward Kalib Boone and guards Bryce Thompson and Avery Anderson III. In the first meeting, they combined to score 48 of OSU's 72 points.
As a team, Oklahoma State averages 13 assists per game compared to 14.5 turnovers. It ranks 319th in turnover percentage with 21% of its offensive possessions ended in turnovers. It is 202nd in effective field goal percentage and 247th in 3-point shooting at 32.6%.
However, opponents have not had much success from three against Oklahoma State this season. Oklahoma State ranks 21st in 3-point percentage defense and is holding its opponents to 29.8% from three. It also ranks fourth nationally in 2-point percentage defense and fifth in effective field goal percentage defense.
Oklahoma State ranks sixth in blocks percentage, averaging 5.6 blocks per game. Forward Moussa Cisse leads the team with 2.4 blocks per game. He has battled an ankle injury of late but returned to the lineup against Ole Miss. Boone is averaging two blocks per game over his last five, up from 1.4 this season.
Overall, Oklahoma State is seventh in adjusted defensive efficiency.
Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma is just 2-6 in Big 12 play, but four of the six losses have been by four points or less. Oklahoma usually has gotten off to fast starts, but second half collapses have done it in. However, against Alabama, Oklahoma built a 17-point lead at halftime and held a double-digit lead the entire second half. Guard Grant Sherfield made sure that an Alabama comeback was not in the cards.
He scored a season-high 30 points and also dished out six assists. The Nevada transfer is averaging 17 points and 3.4 assists this season. Forward Jalen Hill scored a season-high 26 points and grabbed eight rebounds — well above his season averages of 10.5 points and 5.7 rebounds.
Forward Tanner Groves is averaging 10.2 points and leads the team with 7.5 rebounds per game. He has range beyond the arc but is shooting 30.4% from deep this season. His brother, Jacob, has been more efficient, shooting 39% from three and averaging eight points per game.
As a team, Oklahoma shoots 36.7% from three and ranks 51st nationally. The Sooners are 37th in 2-point field goal percentage and 24th in effective field goal percentage. They play at a slow pace, 316th in adjusted tempo, but still operate efficiently on offense. The Sooners 38th in adjusted offensive efficiency.
They also have a top-50 unit on defense, checking in at 49th in adjusted defensive efficiency. Oklahoma excels defending the 3-point line, holding opponents to 29.3% and ranking 16th nationally. One area where they struggle is forcing turnovers.
Oklahoma State vs Oklahoma Betting Pick
For Oklahoma, starting fast has not been an issue this season. It has taken a lead into halftime of 13 of 20 games this season and was tied in two others. In Big 12 play, the Sooners have won the first half in five of eight games. However, closing games out has been the issue and is why the Sooners are just 12-9.
In the first meeting against Oklahoma State, Oklahoma took a six-point lead into halftime before being outscored 48-26 in the second half. I do like the Sooners to win this one on their home floor, but I feel given the trends a first half play as a better bet.
As a 3.5-point favorite, I expect the Sooners to be favored to win the first half by 1.5 to two points. I like their chances of winning the half by two.
