Oklahoma at Texas: Basketball Odds & Predictions
Written February 20, 2009 by Jay Horne
The Red River rivalry may be used to refer to the football program, but there will still not be any less hostility when the Texas Longhorns host the number 2 ranked Oklahoma Sooners this weekend in a clash of Big 12 opponents. Oklahoma stands at a strong 25-1 record on the season, and will have a good shot at capturing the number 1 ranking in America next week if they can get a victory due to current no. 1 Connecticut losing earlier in the week. The Sooners handled the Longhorns on their home floor in early January by the score of 78-63, but will have to take to the road this time around. Texas has continued to have a disappointing season from the expectations that were so high earlier this year. The Longhorns are in desperate need to get a big win after losing the last 4 of 6 and they will get that opportunity late Saturday night. Texas could possibly be a slight favorite at home, but I wouldn’t be surprised if this game’s line opened as a Pick ‘Em.
Texas reached as high as the no. 6 ranking in the country in the first 3 weeks of the season and many figured the Longhorns would be the class of the Big 12 this season. However, the Longhorns have barely treaded above water in the conference with a dismal record of 6-5 in the Big 12. Texas is averaging 73 points per game this season led by the play of senior guard A.J. Abrams. Abrams is posting slightly under 17 points per game ranking right outside the top 5 in the conference and is one of three Longhorn players in double figures. Abrams will be coming off his lowest total of the year when he was held to 7 points against Texas A&M and will try to rebound in a big way to lead the upset effort.
Another dangerous player in the Texas lineup is the 6’7 junior Damion James. James is averaging 15.6 points per game on the season while adding a strong 9 rebounds per game as well. James comes in the match-up fresh off a 16 point 11 rebound double-double that equaled his 11th double-double of the season. Texas and Oklahoma are both averaging 39 boards per contest and Damion James biggest challenge will be keeping Sooners’ All-American Blake Griffin off the glass. Texas tends to play strong at the Frank Erwin Center and sports a healthy 10-2 record this year on the home court. The Longhorns will attempt to capture their biggest win off the year when they host the Sooners this Saturday.
Oklahoma does not put up dominating statistics like some highly ranked schools may like North Carolina and Pittsburgh. However, the Sooners could very well be the best team in the country and they will get a chance to prove their elite status once again this weekend. Oklahoma got some revenge over the Longhorns in their earlier meeting this season, but they had lost the last 6 previous battles with Texas including being knocked out in blowout fashion in the Conference Tournament last year by a score of 77-49. However, things are greatly different this time around and it could be that Oklahoma will be favored in Saturday’s match up.
Blake Griffin is mentioned with all the best names in the country and the amazing 6’10 sophomore very well could be the best all-around player in America. Griffin leads the Big 12 and ranks 12th nationally scoring 22.8 points per game. Equally impressive is that Griffin leads the entire nation in rebounding pulling down 14.2 boards every game. If Texas wants to make any hopes of an upset, they will have to contain the talented sophomore who is coming off a huge 40 point, 23 rebound performance that seems unreal on paper. Griffin will lead a talented group of Sooners on the floor this Saturday night in attempt to impress the nation and possibly receive the top ranking by next week.
Pick: Take the Oklahoma Sooners
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