The third-seeded Oklahoma Sooners begin their tournament run as they take on the Albany Great Danes tonight. The game is scheduled for an 8:00 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on truTV. Currently the College Basketball Betting Odds for the game have the Sooners favored by double digits to pick up the win.
Albany had one of the best berths into the NCAA Tournament, with Peter Hooley connecting for a triple as time expired in the America East finals. Albany is no stranger to the tournament, either, having played in two straight. Back in 2013 the Great Danes pushed Duke, but lost by a dozen. Last year they played their way into the Field of 64 having won in the first four over Mount St. Mary’s, but then they lost to Florida by a dozen as well. They aren’t the most athletic group but they play hard and stay within themselves to play their style of game.
Oklahoma is going to want to speed this up, getting up and down the floor and pushing a lot of possessions. The Sooners rank fifth-best in the country in defensive efficiency as well, making this a very tough matchup for the Great Danes.
Don’t overlook Albany’s ability to win games, though. The Great Danes have piled up 19 wins their last 20 games overall, the only loss coming by just three points.
Oklahoma has gone just 2-2 the last four games, both losses coming to Iowa State, a team already bounced from the tournament. The Sooners have a gifted scorer in Buddy Hield leading the way at 17.5 points per contest, but both Isaiah Cousins and TaShawn Thomas are scoring threats as well for the Sooners, who pile up an average of 72 points per game.
Albany is going to have to eat shot clock, rebound somehow (which can be impossible against Oklahoma) and shoot the ball extremely well. Oklahoma is just too good and they will win tonight.
Free Pick: Oklahoma 80, Albany 60
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