Iowa vs Oklahoma: 2023-24 college basketball game preview, TV schedule
By Brad Schultz
Iowa and Oklahoma meet in San Diego for a critical Thanksgiving non-conference matchup; can the Hawkeyes get their signature win of the young season or will the Sooners stay perfect?
TV schedule: Thursday, November 23, 3:00 pm ET. FS1
Arena: LionTree Arena in San Diego, California
Through the season’s first four games, the Iowa Hawkeyes (3-1) are off to a nice start, especially considering the loss of All-American forward Kris Murray. The Hawkeyes own victories over North Dakota, Alabama State, and Arkansas State. While the team wasn’t able to secure a win at Creighton, it gave the Bluejays all they could handle, which left Iowa fans feeling pretty good about this young squad through four games. Now, the calendar shifts to the first-ever Rady Children’s Invitational, where the team looks to not only bask in sunshine but win a championship.
Many sportswriters and analysts predicted that one of the returning players on this Hawkeye squad would serve as the go-to scorer. But, that’s not the case. In the offseason, head coach Fran McCaffery grabbed Valparaiso big man Ben Krikke in the transfer portal. While Iowa fans weren’t pleased with the pickup, Krikke has been one of the most surprising players in the country, and Hawkeye fans have quickly marveled at Krikke’s strong midrange shot, which has been money to start the season. Through four games, Krikke has averaged 20 points per game, including an impressive 24-point outing against Creighton. The Edmonton, Alberta native has shot a scorching 61 percent from the field to start the season. If he can continue his scoring outputs, then the Hawkeyes will be tough to beat with their outside shooting.
Other players on this Iowa team to watch out for are Payton Sandfort (14 ppg, 8.8 rpg) a 6-foot-7 junior who is known for his ability to shoot from long distance, and I mean from a LONG distance. This season, Sandfort’s game has stretched into the paint, and he leads the team in rebounds with nearly nine per game. Rebounding has often been a struggle for many Iowa teams, so having a forward lead the team in boards helps. McCaffery has also brought in a terrific freshman class that is capable of doing amazing things down the road should they stay in Iowa City.
Oklahoma should watch out for Brock Harding (3.0 ppg, 4.3 apg), Owen Freeman (9.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg), and Ladji Dembele (4.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg). I’m not going to discuss all three in detail, but these guys are very confident and aren’t afraid of the moment, with all providing valuable minutes against Creighton. Freeman and Harding played on the same high school team, so the chemistry between those two is already there.
On the flip side, Oklahoma (4-0) looks to stay unbeaten and make an early season statement. This is Porter Moser’s third season in Norman, and after incredible success at Loyola-Chicago, he has yet to find his groove with the Sooners. Oklahoma has only compiled a record of 38-33 during his tenure, including a measly 15-17 record last season, so there is a little tension from the OU fanbase.
In the young season, the leading scorer for the Sooners is Otega Oweh (15.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg). The 6-foot-5 sophomore played in 28 games for Oklahoma last season and has blossomed into the scorer and leader in order for this program to become a player in the Big 12. Through four games, Oweh is a perfect 100 percent from behind the arc, though he has only attempted three thus far.
The main things to watch for in this matchup are the defenses, with Iowa giving up 75 points per game, and Oklahoma giving up only 55 points per game. However, the Sooners haven’t faced a prolific offense like the Hawkeyes, but it’s something to watch out for.
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But, I think this game will come down to offense. While Oklahoma has looked good offensively, they have played teams that are expected to be at the bottom of their conferences, and Iowa has shown that it can put up points against some of the nation’s best, as it shot 50 percent from the field in an eight-point loss against Creighton. The bottom line here is that the Hawkeyes have been tested, and the Sooners haven’t. That will make the difference in this one.