Offense meets defense when the No. 7 Oklahoma Sooners (11-1, 1-0 Big 12) welcome the Oklahoma State Cowboys (10-3, 0-1 Big 12) to Lloyd Noble Center. The game can be seen on ESPNU at 9 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 3, 2018.
Oklahoma opened as a 9.5-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 167.5 points.
Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. Oklahoma Sooners Betting Prediction
The Cowboys are trying to rebound after their 85-79 loss to the No. 7 West Virginia Mountaineers in their last outing. West Virginia’s 20.2 turnover percentage was their largest strength over Oklahoma State, who had a rate of 25.0. The Mountaineers’ mark was worse than their season average of 12.5, while the Cowboys’ was above their season average of 15.7. Oklahoma State’s Jeffrey Carroll put together a good performance, contributing 17 points and five rebounds.
The last time the Sooners played, they barely escaped the No. 10 TCU Horned Frogs, 90-89. Oklahoma’s 0.355 free throw rate was their largest advantage over TCU, who had a mark of 0.284. The Sooners’ mark was above their season average of 0.242. Trae Young was the game’s high scorer with 39 points on 9-for-23 shooting.
The game should be a battle of strength against strength as the prolific offense of Oklahoma takes on the elite defense of Oklahoma State. The Sooners rank 14th in offensive efficiency, while the Cowboys are 47th in defensive efficiency.
Oklahoma State has an excellent 10-3 straight up (SU) record, but they are just 4-6 against the spread (ATS). Games featuring the Cowboys tend to go under the total (90.0 percent).
Meanwhile, Oklahoma owns records of 11-1 SU and 5-6 ATS. Unlike Oklahoma State, games including the Sooners have a tendency to finish over the total (90.9 percent).
Christian James has averaged 15.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals over the last five games for Oklahoma.
After the Cowboys won both matchups against the Sooners last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the most recent contest, Oklahoma State won 96-92. Oklahoma State had a much better turnover percentage (13.9 vs. 20.1). Oklahoma, meanwhile, had a better effective field goal percentage (0.643 vs. 0.597).
Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. Oklahoma Sooners Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Oklahoma, ATS Winner – Oklahoma State, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Oklahoma State is 1-2 ATS with 3 unders and 0 overs.
Oklahoma is 2-3 ATS at home with 4 overs and 1 under.
Oklahoma State ranks 38th in three pointers allowed per game (19.2) while Oklahoma ranks 256th (26.8).
The Cowboys rank 82nd in rebounds per game (37.9) while the Sooners rank 217th in rebounds allowed per game (38.3).
Oklahoma State averages 16.7 assists per game, which ranks 43rd in the NCAA. Oklahoma ranks 177th in assists allowed per game (14.8).
The Cowboys rank ninth in blocks allowed per game (2.1) while the Sooners rank 103rd (3.7).
Oklahoma averages 7.6 steals per game, which ranks 50th in the NCAA. Oklahoma State ranks 103rd in steals allowed per game (6.5).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Oklahoma State is 1-3 ATS with 3 unders and 1 over.
Oklahoma is 3-1 ATS with 4 overs over their last five games.
The Cowboys’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 2.8, down from 12.2 for the season.
During their last five games, the Sooners have scored an average of 95.0 points per game (0.3 above their season average) and allowed an average of 80.2 points per game (0.3 above their season average).
