Oklahoma vs. Baylor Odds
| Oklahoma Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+12.5 -110 | 137.5 -110o / -110u | N/A |
| Baylor Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-12.5 -110 | 137.5 -110o / -110u | N/A |
Big 12 action is in full swing, and the deepest conference in college basketball gives us another marquee matchup on Tuesday. The Oklahoma Sooner travel to Waco to take on the top-ranked Baylor Bears.
The Sooners are coming off a narrow victory in their conference opener against Kansas State. Oklahoma has been a team that has combined sharpshooting with stingy defense on their way to an 11-2 start.
Baylor has been one of the most impressive teams in the country. They enter this matchup riding the nation's longest winning streak that was extended after a hard-fought win against Iowa State. The Bears showed their grit on the road, but can they bring it back home?
Oklahoma Sooners
Expect Sooners to Fire Back
We all know just how potent the Baylor offense can be, but this Oklahoma offense has the ability to go shot for shot with them. They are fifth in Effective Field Goal percentage and are even more outstanding inside the arc where they have made over 60 percent of their attempts.
Though they have been impeccable from close range, the Sooners have no issues stepping outside. Their leading scorer, Tanner Groves, has shot especially well this season. He has made 59 percent of his attempts while making over 40 percent of those from behind the arc.
We can't talk about the Sooners in this matchup without mentioning Umoja Gibson. The senior guard has been heating up lately. Gibson has scored in double figures in each of his last four games. He may also be extra motivated in this matchup as Waco, Texas is his hometown. Look for him to show out in this one with his friends and family in attendance.
The Bears are a great defensive team, and their speed and length can be suffocating, but the Sooners have not failed to put points on the board in any game this season. It will be interesting to watch how Tanner Groves will draw the Baylor bigs out of the paint because of the threat of the pick and pop. This may open up good looks inside where Oklahoma thrives.
Baylor Bears
Which Bear Will it Be?
The opposition has been forced to pick its poison when on defense against Baylor because the Bears have so many weapons who can score efficiently. In their last matchup against Iowa State, they brought their leading scorer L.J. Cryer off the bench. Cryer was coming off an injury, but it goes to show just how interchangeable these Baylor guards are.
The two men leading the way as of late have been James Akinjo and Adam Flager. Akinjo has scored in double figures in five straight games and has led his team in the last two victories. Flager has shown that he can be a playmaker for this offense as he has scored at least 10 points and recorded at least four assists in each of the last four games.
I could go on to break down each of these Baylor guards because they are all talented and can light up the scoreboard on any given night, but I'll let you enjoy them for yourself.
The Sooners have been a stout defensive team this year as they are 27th in Effective Field Goal percentage allowed. Though the Bears are coming off a game where they faced the fourth overall team in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency, and they performed well, so as long as someone is on for Baylor they will be hard to stop consistently.
Oklahoma vs. Baylor Betting Pick
The Bears are considerable favorites in this game, and that is deserved as they have the ability to break this game open. Though the Sooners are more than capable when it comes to putting the ball in the bucket. That is why I'm opting for the over as the total seems a tad too low for these two programs.
