WeBeatTheSpread's Premium Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State Pick

WeBeatTheSpread's Premium Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State Pick

In the battle for Oklahoma, The Oklahoma Sooners will face off against their rivals, the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament. Despite losing both regular-season meetings against the Cowboys, the Sooners have played their best basketball in their last six games, which should give them a chance to win this game. Also, despite being under .500 on the season, this game is one-point off a pick 'em, which is interesting.

The Sooners are coming off a win against TCU, where they dominated the game from start to finish, leading by 17 points at halftime and eventually winning by 14. Although the Sooners have only won four of their last eleven games, they have been impressive in their victories against ranked teams such as Alabama, Kansas State, and Iowa State.

Leading the Sooners is senior forward Grant Sherfield, who averaged 16.1 points per game on 41.2 percent shooting during the regular season. Sherfield will be supported by senior forward Tanner Groves, senior forward Jalen Hill, and freshman guard Milos Uzan, who are the main offense for the team.

On the other hand, the Cowboys are still adjusting to the loss of Avery Anderson, who was the second-leading scorer on the team at the time of his injury. The team is 4-5 without Anderson and has lost four out of their last five games.

Although the Cowboys have beaten the Sooners in both regular-season meetings, it is difficult to beat a team evenly matched three times in one season. The Sooners have been up and down all season, but their recent performances suggest that they could win this game.

Oklahoma scores an average of 68.3 points per game, which ranks 272nd in the country. However, the team shoots 46.5 percent from the field, which is 67th in the nation, and 35.4 percent from behind the arc, which is 119th in the country. Additionally, the Sooners have an offensive efficiency rating of 62nd and an effective field goal percentage of 53.1 percent, which is 57th in the country. This is partly because they play in the toughest conference in the nation, but also because they play at a slow pace. This kind of offense should suit them in a tournament setting in what should be a slower-paced game.

Oklahoma State scores an average of 69.5 points per game, which is 234th in the country. The team shoots 43.9 percent from the field, which is 227th in the nation, and 31.8 percent from behind the arc, which is 310th in the country. Additionally, the Cowboys have an offensive efficiency rating of 98th and an effective field goal percentage of 50.2 percent, which is 202nd in the country. Oklahoma ranks as the higher-rated offense, and without Anderson in the game, I think Oklahoma has the better Offense by far. Defense is where the Cowboys shine, as they are rated 20th in defensive efficiency in the country.

I have to go with the Sooners in this game. In what should be a slow, low-scoring game, I trust the Sooners' offense to score a lot more than the Cowboys. Oklahoma State has not looked the same since Anderson went down, and Oklahoma has found a groove late in the season. Oklahoma State won both regular-season meetings, both with Anderson, and I don't think they get the sweep.

• Oklahoma +1.5 @ -110 (Bet $100 to collect $191)