Texas vs Oklahoma Odds
| Texas Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3.5 -110 | 132.5 -110o / -110u | -155 |
| Oklahoma Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3.5 -110 | 132.5 -110o / -110u | +135 |
There's no better way to kick off Big 12 league play than Texas vs. Oklahoma in Norman.
Texas will bring an 11-1 record into its first true road game of the season on Saturday. The Longhorns are led by Marcus Carr, who's putting together one of the best seasons in college basketball.
Oklahoma will look to defend its home court and build on back-to-back wins over Central Arkansas and Florida. As was the case a year ago, the Sooners are led by their frontcourt duo of brothers Jacob and Tanner Groves.
Texas holds the advantage in the all-time series at 28-23, winning last year's matchup, 80-78, in Austin.
This showdown will not lack excitement, as it features two of the best offenses in the country.
Texas Longhorns
Since its loss to Illinois on December 6, Texas has quietly returned to form. The Longhorns have won five games in a row, averaging 88.8 points per game over this stretch.
The offensive firepower is due in large part to the sensational play of Carr. On Tuesday, Carr had his best performance to date, going for 41 points.
🇨🇦 Marcus Carr 🔥 with a historic game.
41 points (ties career-high) 👀
4 assists
1 rebound
2 steals
13/19 FG
10/15 3PT (.667%) (career-high)
5/6 FT
30 minutes– Most points in program history since Reggie Freeman’s 43 points – Dec 14, 1996#CollegeBasketball#Hookem#NCAApic.twitter.com/i9kpNJHe7C
— BasketballBuzz.ca 🇨🇦🏀🍁 (@basketballbuzz) December 28, 2022
Carr's play has been so impressive that it's overshadowed the emergence of five-star freshman Arterio Morris, who has combined for 37 points in his last two games.
This level of offensive firepower has given the Longhorns the 12th-highest adjusted efficiency (114.3) and effective FG% (56.4) in the country.
Texas has built these offensive numbers through its ability to create penetration. The Longhorns score 57.5% of their points from close-range, which is an area that Oklahoma is vulnerable defensively.
The Sooners have struggled at protecting the paint this season, allowing their opponents to score 60.7% of their points from the interior, the ninth-highest rate in the country.
If Oklahoma is unable to prevent Texas from getting to the rim, the Longhorns' offense will continue to roll.
Defensively, Texas has built one of the most balanced units in the country. The Longhorns rank 12th nationally in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency through their ability to create turnovers on 24.9% of their opponents' possessions.
This pressure will be particularly effective against an Oklahoma team that has struggled to take care of the basketball. The Sooners' offense turns the ball over on 19.3% of its possessions, which is above the national average.
Giving this Texas offense extra possessions is a recipe for disaster.
Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma opens up league play after a successful non-conference that was highlighted by its ESPN Events Invitational championship. The Sooners were able to take down Nebraska, Seton Hall and Ole Miss to take home the crown.
The Sooners' offense has gotten a major boost this season from Nevada transfer Grant Sherfield. The senior guard leads the Sooners in points, assists and steals.
Sherfield's presence gives Oklahoma a well-balanced, inside-and-outside attack with the Groves brothers owning the paint. This has resulted in an offense that has the sixth-highest effective FG% at 57.6%.
However, this will be the Sooners' toughest defensive test since they faced Arkansas. The Longhorns will present a similar level of defensive pressure, ranking 12th nationally in adjusted efficiency.
If the Sooners have trouble taking care of the basketball, they'll need to find other ways to create extra possessions in order to keep up with Texas offensively.
Unfortunately, Oklahoma is unlikely to accomplish this via offensive rebounds, as it has created second-chance opportunities on just 21.3% of its possessions this season (345th nationally).
In what will be an explosive offensive game, I see these extra possessions as the difference maker.
Texas vs. Oklahoma Betting Pick
Texas' off-the-court issues have overshadowed what this team has been doing over the past month. The Longhorns have emerged as one of the more explosive offenses in the country.
This matchup with Oklahoma presents a perfect opportunity to remind the country that Texas is one of the elite teams in college basketball. The Longhorns will be able to get the rim at will offensively and create enough pressure defensively to steal one on the road.
This is an experienced Texas team (12th nationally in D-I experience) that will not shy away from its first true road test.
Pick: Texas -3 or Better |
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