Texas Longhorns vs. Oklahoma Sooners Preview and Pick

No. 10 Texas Longhorns (19-3 9-9 ATS) vs. Oklahoma Sooners (12-9 8-9 ATS) Lloyd Noble Center, Norman, OK 4 PM EST Saturday February 6, 2010 on ESPN
by Jason Green at Predictem.com
by Jason Green of Predictem.com

Point Spread: Longhorns -7/Sooners +7
Over/Under: 149

Wager on Texas Longhorns games using your credit card and to get a generous sign up bonus at one of the web's biggest online sportsbooks: BetUS.

In a Big 12 match up on Saturday afternoon the Oklahoma Sooners host the 6th ranked Texas Longhorns. Man, have the wheels fallen off for the OU, as after they started the season 11-3 they have gone 4-6 since then, including losing 3 of their last 4, and they are now 2 games under .500 in the Big 10. Things have not been rosy for Texas either as of late, as after they became the #1 team in the nation they have lost 3 of their last 5 games and currently trail Kansas by 2 games in conference play.

At least the Sooners are at home, as they have yet to lose there this season, but are only 1-6 on the road.

This season the Sooners are 10-0 at home and 5-2 in the Big 12 and the Longhorns are 4-2 on the road and 3-4 in the Big 12.

Even though Texas is struggling the Sooners will have to deal with a Longhorns team that is solid on both ends of the court. This season Texas is averaging 84.7 ppg and allowing an average of 67.2 ppg.

Oklahoma has a stellar backcourt with the G trio of leading scorer Willie Warren, Tommy Mason-Griffin, and Tony Crocker, who are all averaging in double figures. These guys not only have to score in this game, but slow the tempo of the game, as the Longhorns like to run and gun.

Texas has a well-balanced offense with Player of the Year candidate G/F Damion James, G Avery Bradley, and C Dexter Pittman, who are the 3 Longhorns that are averaging in double figures this season.

The Sooners do not have much of an inside presence besides F Tiny Gallon, so Oklahoma has to play good inside defense in this game and not allow the Longhorns to dominate the boards.

If Pittman (5.9 rpg) and James (11 rpg) can rebound well and control the glass the Longhorns will be tough to beat.

In their last game Texas beat Oklahoma State 72-60 on Monday night. The high scorer for UT was reserve Jordan Hamilton going for a career high 27 points on 11/16 shooting. For the game the Longhorns shot well going 30/59 from the field for a FG% of 50.8%. On defense the Longhorns allowed OSU to shoot 24/53 for a FG% of 45.3%.

Oklahoma had a horrid offensive outing in their last game getting schooled by the Nebraska Cornhuskers 63-46 last Saturday. The high scorer for the Sooners in the game was Cade Davis going for only 13 points on 3/7 shooting. For the game the Sooners were ice cold going 15/43 for a FG% of 34.9%. On D the Sooners allowed Nebraska to shoot 24/54 for a FG% of 44.4%.

According to the Sagarin NCAA basketball ratings Texas ranks 6th (90.01) and Oklahoma ranks 91st (77.95).

Texas is 1-5 ATS in their last 6 road games, 1-8 ATS in their last 9 games, and 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games against teams with a winning record.

Texas has an Over record of 5-2 in their last 7 road games and has an Under record of 4-1 in their last 5 games against teams with a winning record.

Oklahoma is 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games, 9-4 ATS in their last 13 home games against teams with a winning road record, and 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games against teams with a winning record.

Oklahoma has an Under record of 5-1 in their last 6 games and has an Under record of 4-1 in their last 5 games against teams with a winning percentage above 60%.

In 4 of the last 5 games between these 2 teams the total has gone Under and Texas is 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games against Oklahoma.

Jason's Pick: This is a great spot for a cover with Oklahoma who is a pretty good home team. Texas isn't on their "A" game and you better believe the Sooners will be up for them. Take the Sooners to get the money.

Free Picks

Betting