Texas vs Oklahoma Odds, Pick
| Texas Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4.5 -105 | 142.5 -110o / -110u | +180 |
| Oklahoma Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4.5 -115 | 142.5 -110o / -110u | -225 |
It's safe to say that Rodney Terry's Texas Longhorns came out with a vengeance on Saturday. Thanks to guard Tyrese Hunter's buzzer-beater layup, the Horns knocked off the Baylor Bears and bounced back from their collapse against UCF.
Now the Horns are headed to Norman to take on the Oklahoma Sooners on Tuesday. The Sooners have won two straight and can continue their climb in the Big 12 standings with a victory. Let's break down these two teams below and uncover the best betting angle.
Texas Longhorns
Despite their terrific shooting display on Saturday, the Horns needed Hunter to save the day at the buzzer to defeat Baylor. It was a great win, but there is legitimate concern about a letdown.
Besides the situational spot, the matchup is not great for the Horns as they will have their hands full on both ends of the floor.
The Horns are great offensively, entering the game 33rd in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency and 35th in field goal percentage. While the Longhorns are also a great 3-point shooting team, ranking 30th in 3-point accuracy at 37.5%, the Sooners have one of the best perimeter defenses in the nation. The Sooners are allowing opponents to shoot just 27.7% on 3s, which is seventh nationally.
Consequently, the Horns may decide to go inside more often, but they will face similar issues.
The backcourt of Hunter and Max Abmas is one of the best duos in the country when they are clicking offensively, but they could not have played much better than they did on Saturday. The Horns will need a similar performance from deep to break through the Sooners defense.
The small Texas backcourt of Hunter and Abmas, who are each listed at six feet and 175 pounds, may struggle to defend the Oklahoma perimeter. The Sooners are not the best 3-point shooting team, but they should have more attempts due to the matchup.
The Longhorns need a strong offensive performance, or else they are in trouble.
Oklahoma Sooners
The Sooners are one game behind Kansas State and Texas Tech in the Big 12 standings, and this is a golden opportunity to pick up some ground.
Head coach Porter Moser has done a terrific job with the program. The Sooners enter the matchup among the top 50 in both Adjusted Offensive and Defensive Efficiency.
Their specialty has been their defense and ability to score inside. The Sooners may not be able to have much success inside against the Horns, but I expect them to get better looks from beyond the arc.
Guard Javian McCollum is shooting 38% from 3, which provides most of the offense for his team. The battle between him and Abmas will be a terrific show.
The Sooners are an excellent free-throw shooting team, and luckily, the Horns are aggressive on defense. Texas is a foul-happy group, which should give the Sooners easy points with the clock stopped.
There is concern that the Sooners have some regression headed their way, but they should have enough advantages to win at home.
Texas vs. Oklahoma
Betting Pick & Prediction
Texas may be rejuvenated after that thrilling win over Baylor, but it has to be exhausted after that offensive performance.
Terry's team is going to ride high into Norman, but there are too many advantages for the Sooners in this matchup as the Longhorns' perimeter defense may be their downfall.
The Sooners should also earn additional trips to the charity stripe than normal, thanks to the over-aggressive Horns defense. Their excellent free-throw shooting could easily be the difference in whether or not they cover the number.
I am happy to sell high on the Horns, and I expect the Sooners to take advantage of their offensive and defensive advantages in the contest. I love this spot for the Sooners and would take them down to -8.
