Big 12 Border Battle in Norman: Texas at Oklahoma

Texas Longhorns at Oklahoma Sooners, Lloyd Noble Center, Norman, OK
Wednesday, February 9, 2011, 9:00 pm Eastern, TV: ESPN2
Opening Line: Texas -12
Current Line: Texas -10 1/2
Opening Total: 132 1/2
Current Total: 132 1/2
Money Line: Texas -725 / Oklahoma +575

Jordan Hamilton and the Texas Longhorns take on the Oklahoma Sooners in Norman in a Big 12 border battle. Texas is a 10 1/2 point favorite on the road.

Texas and Oklahoma meet for the 78th time Wednesday in Norman. Oklahoma holds a 47-30 advantage in the series, including 23-9 in Norman. Texas has won 9 of the last 11 against the Sooners and are 14-5 in the last 19 games played between the teams. Texas won the last meeting between the schools January 15 in Austin, 66-46. Texas is 20-3 and 8-0 in the Big 12. The Longhorns are ranked #3 in both polls. Oklahoma is 12-10 overall and 4-4 in the Big 12. Texas has won 8 straight games since an 82-81 overtime loss at home to Connecticut. Texas also has losses to Pitt and USC on the season. Texas has wins over Illinois, North Carolina, Michigan St, Arkansas, Texas Tech twice, Texas A&M twice, Kansas, Oklahoma St, and Missouri. Texas beat Texas Tech Saturday in Austin 76-60. Oklahoma has wins over Oral Roberts, Texas Tech, Colorado, Iowa St, and Baylor. They have losses to Kentucky, Virginia, Chaminade, Arkansas, Arizona, Cincinnati, Texas A&M, Baylor, and Oklahoma St. The Sooners lost at Oklahoma St Saturday 81-75. Texas is 14-4 ATS in all games this season, including 7-1 in conference and 10-2 against teams with winning records.

Texas has no significant injuries right now. Texas is led by guard/forward Jordan Hamilton. Hamilton is averaging 18.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists a game. He is the leading scorer and rebounder for the Longhorns and also is shooting 42.4% from 3-point range. Forward Tristan Thompson averages 12.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1 steal, and 2.3 blocks a game. He leads the team in rebounding and blocks. Forward Gary Johnson averages 11.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists a game. Guard Cory Joseph averages 11 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists to lead the team, and 1.1 steals a game to lead the team. Texas is outscoring opponents 76-60 on the season. They are shooting 46.6% from the field and 38.5% from 3-point range. Longhorn opponents are shooting 36.4% from the field. Texas makes only 64.7% of their free throws. Texas averages 41.1 rebounds and has a rebounding margin of +7.1. The Longhorns average 14.1 assists and 12.6 turnovers a game. Texas forces 13.7 turnovers a game on defense. Texas averages 5 blocks and 6.3 steals a game.

Oklahoma has no significant injuries right now. The Sooners are led by forward Andrew Fitzgerald. He is averaging 13.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 0.8 blocks a game. He leads the team in all four categories. Guard Cade Davis averages 12.9 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal a game. Guard Steven Pledger averages 12.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1 steal a game. Cameron Clark averages 9.9 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.1 assists. Carl Blair averages 7.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.1 steals a game. Oklahoma is outscoring opponents 68-67 on the season. The Sooners are shooting 46.5% from the field and 34.5% from 3-point range. Sooner opponents are shooting 44% from the field. The Sooners make 72.5% of hteir free throws. They average 31.6 rebounds a game and have a rebounding margin of -0.3. Oklahoma averages 13.2 assists and 14.1 turnovers a game. They force 13.7 turnovers a game on defense. The Sooners average 3.1 blocks and 5.1 steals a game.

Texas has won their 8 conference games by 11 points or more. The Longhorns already have road wins at Michigan St, at Greensboro in a virtual home game for North Carolina, at Texas Tech, at Kansas, at Oklahoma St, and at Texas A&M. They certainly won’t be intimidated traveling to Norman. They rebound, score and play defense much better than the Sooners. I jsut don’t see Texas losing this game.