Preview: OU

Photo Attribution: US Presswire

Vitals

Tip: 12:45 PM
Location: Stillwater, OK
TV: Big 12 Network (Cox OKC: Ch. 11, Cox Tulsa: Ch. 10, Suddenlink: Ch. 11)
Online Stream: here
Radio: Cowboy Radio Network
Online radio: here
Announcers: Dave Armstrong and Bryndon Manzer
Line: Cowboys -9.5

Records

Cowboys – 18-5 (8-3)
Sooners – 16-7 (7-4)

Best win

Cowboys – Kansas (KenPom: #12)
Sooners – Kansas (KenPom: #12)

Worst loss

Cowboys – Virginia Tech (KenPom: #160)
Sooners – Arkansas (KenPom: #70)

KenPom rank

Cowboys – #16
Sooners – #46

Data nerds

[table id=97 /]

Adj. efficiency – Points per 100 possessions (adjusted for quality of opponent and site of game).
Adj. tempo – Possessions per game (adjusted for schedule and pace of other team).
Effective FG % – Takes into account extra value of 3s.

Three things to watch

1. No Buddy – If you haven’t heard, OU’s point guard, Buddy Hield is out for the next month-ish. He’s not a Smart/Brown-level player but he was more than effective at running Lon Kruger’s offense. Plus, do you really want a backup PG on the road in a sold out GIA against an OSU team looking to take the reins of the Big 12 guarding Marcus Smart? I say no, but I’m probably biased.

2. Cobbins is key – Last time these two teams met, Mike Cobbins posted a 169 offensive rating in 25 minutes. For comparison’s sake, Marcus Smart’s offensive rating on the year is 104 so Cobbins’ number was just absurd — especially considering he wasn’t all the way back from his toe injury. I think he has a monster game today now that he’s broken that double-double seal. Something like 11 points 14 boards from him.

3. Start strong – If OSU jumps out early, OU isn’t built to catch them. I don’t think you can lose the game in the first 10 minutes, but you can definitely win it. Sort of like the opposite of the first round of fantasy football drafts (for those of you who play). Get the crowd into it early, have Smart get everyone involved, and enjoy your Saturday afternoon…

Prediction

KyPort: Cowboys 80-59
KenPom: Cowboys 70-61