Oklahoma State vs. Oklahoma Odds
| Oklahoma State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3.5 -110 | 130.5 -110o / -110u | +140 |
| Oklahoma Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3.5 -110 | 130.5 -110o / -110u | -170 |
It's Bedlam on the hardwood, as the Oklahoma State Cowboys head to Norman to take on the Oklahoma Sooners.
This will be the second iteration of the matchup this year, as the Cowboys were victorious in the first meeting just a few weeks ago. However, these two teams have gone down very different paths since then.
The Sooners have done anything but boom, as they are in the midst of a horrific stretch. They come into this matchup having lost their last four, but the bigger picture is worse, as they are 3-12 since Jan. 4. A return home for this rivalry game may be what they need to get back on track.
As for the Cowboys, they have continued to trade wins and losses for the past month. Oklahoma State is excellent on its home floor — its energy and style of defense feeds off of the crowd — but it's been a very different story for the Cowboys on the road.
They have only won two games on the road all season, so it seems as if a victory here will also be bucking a downward trend.
Oklahoma State Cowboys
Expect Cowboys to Thrive Inside
The first meeting was peculiar for Oklahoma State from an offensive standpoint. Yes, it won the game, but it did it largely without its two primary offensive weapons.
Avery Anderson III and Bryce Williams combined for just nine points on 4-of-10 shooting. However, this is because the Cowboys sought to exploit the edge they have over the Sooners — their size.
The Cowboys are a very long team, and that benefits them extensively on the defensive end — they are always in passing lanes and blocking shots. Against the Sooners, they were able to use their big men to get plenty of effective shots on the inside, and they must do that again.
In the first matchup, forward Kalib Boone was the most-used player for Oklahoma State. The 6-foot-9 junior dropped 12 points and grabbed five rebounds in just 17 minutes.
Boone has become a forgotten weapon for Oklahoma State, as his role has diminished substantially from last year. However, his talent remains the same.
In addition, his size will allow him to match up down low with Oklahoma's Tanner Groves on both ends of the court.
It may be given that we see Anderson and Williams more involved in the offense, but if Oklahoma wants to sweep its rival, it'll have to get Boone opportunities inside.
Oklahoma Sooners
Look For Sooners to Bounce Back on Offense
The Sooners' woes have continued primarily due to a continued stretch of below-average shooting.
Early in the season, Oklahoma looked like a team that could go shot-for-shot with anyone in the nation. But since January, the Sooners have only had one game where they had an effective field goal percentage higher than 60%.
Oklahoma is not only due for a good shooting performance, but it's also due for a win.
ShotQuality has the Sooners ranked 47th in adjusted offensive rating. This shows that their offense is expected to be much better based on the types of shots they are taking.
Unfortunately, it has impacted their record, as well. According to ShotQuality, Oklahoma should be 16-12 on the year, when it currently sits at 14-14. The positive regression is coming, though.
The man that may be the biggest beneficiary of the positive shooting regression is Groves. The Sooners' big man was a prized transfer from Eastern Washington, as he possesses not only an arsenal of low-post moves, but the ability to knock down outside shots at a high rate.
In the first meeting, Groves was the leading scorer for Oklahoma, as he dropped 23 points while draining two 3-pointers.
If Oklahoma can get a repeat effort out of Groves while others contribute, the Sooners' chances of winning get much better.
Oklahoma State vs. Oklahoma Betting Pick
This is a matchup where you have to expect Oklahoma's best effort. The Sooners have been on a hideous downward spiral and are much worse off than they should be.
However, the season's outlook can all change if they take down their arch-rivals at home. The Sooners are due in more ways than one, and I think the home crowd will only enhance their performance here.
Now, the Sooners are the better team here, according to KenPom, so I'll be looking to back them as a short favorite.
