The best conference in the country continues through their league play in the Big 12 when the #23 Oklahoma Sooners (16-5, 4-4 Big 12) travel to take on the UCF Knights (12-8, 3-5 Big 12). Oklahoma is coming off a strong road win over Kansas State, winning 73-53 and easily covering as 2.5-point underdogs. UCF just dropped a home game against #18 Baylor 77-69, and failed to cover as 3.5-point home underdogs. This is the only matchup between these teams this season, and they did not meet last year as UCF was not in the Big 12 yet. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:00 EST from Addition Financial Arena in Orlando and can be found on the Big 12 Network.
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The Oklahoma Sooners started the season with 10 straight wins, before hitting conference play against tougher opponents. They currently find themselves in the middle of the league standings with a 4-4 record, they had lost back to back games against Texas and Texas Tech, before dominating Kansas State on the road. The Sooners got out to a 35-19 halftime lead in the game, and never looked back. They were led by forward Jalon Moore wit 23 points in the road win.
Lock down defense was on full display ??#BoomerSooner ?? pic.twitter.com/UehmDDjOgE
— Oklahoma Basketball (@OU_MBBall) February 2, 2024
The Sooners are led in scoring by 6'2 junior guard Javian McCollum with 14.6 PPG. He is the top shooter on the team with 42 made threes on the year while connecting on 35.0% of his attempts from deep. He scored 21 in the recent win over K-State, and had 16 in a win over Cincinnati. Otega Oweh is a defensive stopper on the wing, the 6'5 sophomore adds 13.4 PPG and 4.3 RPG as a physical guard on the perimeter. Jalon Moore is a strong 6'7 forward coming off the big game against K-State, he is averaging 10.3 PPG and 5.8 RPG as their best post player. Milos Uzan is their best ball handler, the 6'4 sophomore leads the team with 4.5 APG and scores another 8.6 PPG.
Oklahoma is currently ranked 21st overall according to KenPom. They rank 53rd in offensive efficiency and 14th in defensive efficiency. The Sooners play at the 170th fastest tempo in college basketball. They are currently projected to be a 6-seed in the NCAA Tournamen t according to Bracketology.
Injury Report: None listed