In a battle of two good defensive teams, Texas Tech looks to continue their race for a Big 12 regular-season title. Oklahoma looks to right their season with an upset win.
TV schedule: January 9th,2022 on ESPN U at 9:00 P.M
Location: Lloyd Noble Center
The Texas Tech Red Raiders go into this game with a record of 18-5. Their five losses have come against Iowa State, Kansas State, Kansas, Providence, and Gonzaga. Their best win on the season has come against Kansas. Texas Tech is ranked 9th in the AP poll.
Offensively, Texas Tech is led by Bryson Williams. Williams is averaging 13 points per game on 53 percent shooting. The Red Raiders defense is very dominant. This defense allows 60 points per game. That is 9th in the country when it comes to allowed points per game. Their assists to turnover ratio are very solid as well. The Red Raiders assist to turnover ratio is 0.669. That is 11th in the country.
The Oklahoma Sooners go into this game with a record of 13-10. Their ten losses have come against Oklahoma State, Baylor (twice), Texas, Kansas, Auburn, TCU (twice), Utah State, and Butler. Their best win has come against Iowa State. They’ve lost 7 of the last 8 games, including by this past weekend against Oklahoma State by nine points. Due to the Big 12 boosting everyone’s metrics overall, the Sooners are still on the bubble but have plenty of work to do in the next few weeks.
Offensively, the Sooners are led by Tanner Groves. Groves is averaging 13 points per game on 55 percent shooting. This Oklahoma defense is very solid. Their defense allows 64 points per game. That is 40th in the country when it comes to points per game.
This game will be a defensive battle. Neither of these teams is great offensively. If Oklahoma wants to win this game, they will need a good game from Tanner Groves.
In a battle of two great defensive teams, Texas Tech will win another game behind their below-average offense.
Prediction: Texas Tech 61, Oklahoma: 50