Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State: College basketball game preview, TV schedule
Oklahoma State is in need of a big-time win for their resume. They can get it by beating Oklahoma; they just have to stop Trae Young first.
TV schedule: Wednesday, Jan. 3 9:00 p.m. ET. ESPNU
Arena: Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Oklahoma
There are different kinds of resumes out there in college basketball when it comes to the NCAA tournament. There are those who are “solidly in,” “good, but not a guarantee,” “nowhere near good,” and finally “has some work to do.” The last category is where the Cowboys land in Busting Brackets’ first edition of Bracketology.
There was a chance that Oklahoma State 10-3 (0-1) could’ve been on the right side of the bracket with a home win over a top 10 ranked West Virginia squad. The Cowboys led for a good portion of the game, but couldn’t hold on at the end. Despite Jeffrey Carroll and Tavarius Shine each chipping in 17 points, the 21 turnovers hurt their prospects at a victory.
The good news is that playing in the Big 12 affords the Cowboys many more chances at good wins. The bad news is that the next game comes against what seems like an unstoppable force.
Oklahoma 11-1 (1-0) has equaled their win total from a year ago thanks to Trae Young, the No. 1 candidate for Player of the Year in many rankings, including the latest edition of Busting Brackets’ as conference play begins. In the Sooners win over TCU to open Big 12 play, Young had 39 points and 14 assists, which increases his season average to 29.6 ppg and 10.7 apg — both best in the nation by a now wider margin.
Not only has Young been great, but as a team Oklahoma has amassed a number of great wins, giving them a No. 2 seed in Busting Brackets Bracketology.
Next: Road warriors dominate latest Big 12 power rankings
The question is simple, yet seems impossible to answer. Can the Cowboys stop Young? If yes, then they have a shot at a marquee win. If not, then just add the Cowboys to the latest list of teams that’s been destroyed by Young. With the game in Norman, Oklahoma should be just fine.
Prediction: Oklahoma 89 – Oklahoma State 74