The Oklahoma Sooners travel to take on the Kansas Jayhawks in a battle of Top 25 team tonight in Big 12 College Basketball action. The game is scheduled for a 9:00 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on ESPN. Currently the odds for the game have the Jayhawks favored to pick up the win in this one.
Kansas is rebounding a bit from a loss at Iowa State on Saturday night, but it's a quick turnaround as they are part of Big Monday on ESPN. This should be a pretty solid matchup between a couple of clubs that have no problem playing a physical game. Kansas comes in with a perfect 8-0 record in home games and they've held a big advantage over Oklahoma at Phog Allen as well, winning the last five games over the Sooners by an average of better than 17 points. Oklahoma hasn't picked up a win at Kansas since 1993.
The Sooners, though, will bring in an offense that has no problems scoring points. Oklahoma, led by Buddy Hield's 17.6 points per game, will look to have a successful day from the field. The Jayhawks just allowed Iowa State to shoot for nearly 51 percent from the floor in Saturday's loss and doing that again could cost them this contest. Oklahoma averages 73 points per game.
Kansas is giving up 64.1 points per game, as well, which ranks ninth out of 10 teams in the conference this season, with the Sooners looking to take advantage in this game tonight. Aside from Hield, Isaiah Cousins (12.5) and TaShawn Thomas (11.5) average in double figures as well this season. Kansas will have to keep Oklahoma from crashing the boards and getting second-chance opportunities. The Sooners have four guys (Hield, Cousins, Thomas and Ryan Spangler) that average better than 5.5 rebounds per game, and getting extra looks will only help Oklahoma.
The Jayhawks are led by Frank Mason III and Perry Ellis, both at nearly 13 points per game. Youngsters Cliff Alexander and Kelly Oubre Jr. will have impacts on this game as well and Kasnas is so tough to beat at home, expect them to play a very solid game. Had Kansas played better against Iowa State (obviously) they would have come home with a better result, now they have a chance to pick up a Top 25 conference win on their own floor.
Kansas is only a half-game back of Kansas State in the standings and with a win tonight they'll be tied.
Free Pick: Kansas 70, Oklahoma 65
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