Oklahoma vs Texas Tech Prediction: Can Porter Moser Coach Oklahoma Into the Big 12 Finals?
Oklahoma vs Texas Tech Prediction: Can Porter Moser Coach Oklahoma Into the Big 12 Finals?
The Oklahoma Sooners have played themselves back into contention for an NCAA Tournament bid. Right now, Oklahoma is certainly on the bubble, but with a semifinals game against Texas Tech, Oklahoma has a chance to pull off a couple more upsets and make the NCAA Tournament in Porter Moser's first season as head coach at Oklahoma.
Oklahoma defeated Baylor in shocking fashion. But let's also not forget what Texas Tech did, defeating Iowa State, 72-41 last night.
We're in for a treat in the Big 12. Here are our picks and predictions for the Big 12 semifinals matchup between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
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Oklahoma vs Texas Tech Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds
- Date: Friday, March 11, 2022
- Game Time:Â 9:30 pm ET
- Where to Watch:Â ESPN2
Click Here for Oklahoma vs Texas Tech odds
Oklahoma vs Texas Tech Injury Report
Oklahoma
Out: G Elijah Harkless (Undisclosed)
Texas Tech
Questionable: G Ethan Duncan (Undisclosed)
Oklahoma vs Texas Tech Line Movement
Oklahoma vs Texas Tech Prediction
The Oklahoma Sooners went 7-11 in conference play during the regular season. That put the Sooners on the bubble to make the NCAA Tournament. But with two more wins, Oklahoma will have an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.
However, the road from here is tough, despite already beating Baylor.
The Sooners haven't lost in March and that's currently the most important thing. Oklahoma is shooting extremely well from the field this season, knocking down 34.1% of threes and 57.4% of twos on the year. The Sooners don't take care of the basketball all that well, giving up 22.1% of turnovers this season.
Also, Oklahoma struggles on the offensive glass, earning just 25.1% offensive rebounds, and will rarely get to the line at a consistent rate. Meanwhile, Texas Tech is currently the best defense in the nation. After holding Iowa State to just 41 points in a semifinals game, it's clear to see. Opponents are shooting just 31.7% from three and 43.8% from inside the arc on the year.
The biggest thing for the Red Raiders is turnovers. Texas Tech is earning 23.7% turnovers on the season and should be able to force Oklahoma into plenty of mistakes in this game. The Red Raiders also allow just 25.8% offensive rebounds this season and should be able to hold off Oklahoma from getting second chances.
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But let's not forget that Oklahoma already beat up Texas Tech once this season, winning 70-55 at home. The Sooners were prepared and got plenty of points from good looks on the offensive end.
Texas Tech, on the other hand, doesn't have the best offense. Just like Oklahoma, the Red Raiders will turn the ball over often at 20.2% on the season. Texas Tech just hits 31.5% from deep but 55.3% from inside. Texas Tech is going to want to dominate inside knowing Oklahoma has allowed 50.5% from inside the arc this season.
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But outside of poor defense inside the arc, Oklahoma has been consistently good on the defensive end. The Sooners have held opponents to a 49% effective field goal percentage while earning 20.5% turnovers and holding teams to just 26.6% offensive rebounds. Oklahoma also won't foul teams to the line and even if they did, Texas Tech is only hitting 70.3% from the foul line anyway.
We're going to have a close game on our hands. I'll take Oklahoma at +7.5 here. A win against Texas Tech for the second time could actually put them into the NCAA Tournament, even with a loss in the finals. Things are getting interesting in the Big 12!
Oklahoma Sooners vs Texas Tech Red Raiders Pick
- PICK: Oklahoma +7.5 (-110) (Bet $110 to Win $100)
Article Author
Jason grew up an avid sports fan. His passion for sports writing grew in high school and he developed a blog that was strictly for New York Sports. From his work, you will quickly realize that he loves looking at games from an analytical and numbers perspective and hopes to provide you with that same perspective in his articles.