Oklahoma at Missouri: Basketball Odds & Predictions
Written March 4, 2009 by Jay Horne
The No. 5 Oklahoma Sooners have been one of the most dominate teams in the country all season. However, the Sooners are now facing the reality of not even being the best team in the Big 12. The Kansas Jayhawks own a one game advantage over the Sooners after their big blowout win over Missouri on Sunday. Oklahoma chances of winning the Big 12 regular season title barely exist and they will face a tough Missouri team on Wednesday night. Oklahoma were part of a tough two game losing skid contributed by the loss of superstar Blake Griffin. However Griffin is back and most likely so are the Sooners, but that will still face a tough challenge on the road in Missouri. The Tigers are 4 point favorites over the Sooners tonight.
The No. 15 Missouri Tigers had won 7 straight games before getting blown away by the Kansas Jayhawks on Sunday 90-65. The Tigers put together a horrific performance in the outing and will look to rebound in a big way this Wednesday night against highly regarded Oklahoma. The Tigers 65 point total on Sunday was a far distance from the 82 point total that has averaged this season. Missouri owns a perfect 17-0 record at home this season, but they will get their biggest test of the season Wednesday on their own court. If the Tigers could improve to 18-0 at home in route to an upset over Oklahoma, Missouri could finish at number 2 in the Big 12.
Oklahoma rebounded with a big win over Texas Tech on Saturday after two straight losses without their superstar Blake Griffin. Griffin returned to action against the Red Raiders to score 20 points and pull down 19 rebounds in what has become an all to familiar scene when Griffin takes the floor. The talented sophomore value to the Sooners is unprecedented and he is making a solid case for National Player of the Year. Oklahoma on the other hand can not afford to lose another game. The Sooners will need to close out wins in their last two games to wrap up any chances at a number one seed for the NCAA Tournament.
The Missouri Tigers have actually fared very well against the Oklahoma Sooners over the past few seasons. Missouri has won 5 of the last 6 regular season games over Oklahoma and will try to keep that momentum alive. DeMarre Carroll and Leo Lyons will be the guys carrying the upset efforts this Wednesday for the Tigers. Carroll had a solid night in the loss to Kansas with 16 points and 11 rebounds as well as Lyons who posted a 20 point performance. However these two players will likely need some support on Wednesday night, something they failed to get on Sunday. You can take Oklahoma +4 at BookMaker.
Oklahoma has 2 other players outside of Blake Griffin averaging double figures this season. Guards Willie Warren and Tony Crocker have combined for 25 points per game this season and will attempt to score some points before the Missouri big men can get set on the defensive side of the ball. Blake Griffin leads the nation in rebounding with 13.9 boards per game. Griffin ability to dominate the boards is probably more effective than his scoring ability considering it really cuts out on opponents’ second chance scoring opportunities. These 3 players will be the key men leading the Sooners to knock off Missouri for the first time this season on the Tigers floor.
Jay’s Pick - Oklahoma rolls big
For all your college basketball betting needs, be sure to check out our expert NCAA basketball picks, and get the best basketball odds for all the tournament games at Betfirms.
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