Oklahoma Sooners at Missouri Tigers
Mizzou Arena – Columbia, Missouri
Tuesday, January 3, 2012, 8:00 pm Eastern, TV: ESPN Full Court
Opening Line: Missouri -13
Current Line: Missouri -13
Opening Total: 150 1/2
Current Total: 152
Opening Money Line: Missouri -900 / Oklahoma +650
Current Money Line: Missouri -1000 / Oklahoma +700
The Missouri Tigers are 13-0 and ranked #6 in the country under coach Frank Haith. The Tigers are one of 4 undefeated teams in the country along with Syracuse, Baylor, and Murray St. The Tigers host 10-2 Oklahoma, coached by Lon Kruger, in the Big 12 opener for both schools Tuesday night.
The Sooners were projected to be one of the worst teams in the Big 12 before the season but have overachieved with 10 wins so far. The only two losses Oklahoma came to St. Louis in the championship of a tournament in Anaheim Thanksgiving weekend, and last week at Cincinnati 56-55. The Sooners had a double digit lead with around 5 minutes to go against Cincinnati but went ice cold down the stretch and the Bearcats came back to win. Oklahoma has wins over Washington St and Santa Clara in Anaheim, Oral Roberts, Arkansas, Houston, and last Saturday against Northwestern St.
Missouri has wins over Mercer, Notre Dame, California, Villanova, Navy, William & Mary, Illinois, and Old Dominion last Friday. Oklahoma leads the series 112-95 against Missouri but Missouri leads 60-29 in Columbia. Oklahoma hasn’t won in Columbia since 2001. Missouri has won 7 of the last 11 against Oklahoma, including an 84-61 win last year in Columbia in the team’s only meeting last year. Missouri will move to the SEC so this rivalry could end after this season.
Oklahoma is outscoring opponents 77-64 this season. The Sooners are shooting 45.4% from the field, including 41% from 3 point range. Oklahoma makes 73% of their free throws. Oklahoma averages 42.2 rebounds a game, and have a rebounding margin of +10.4. The Sooners are fourth in the nation in rebounding. Oklahoma averages 14.9 assists, 13.3 turnovers, 4 blocks, and 6.6 steals a game. Sooner opponents are shooting 39.5% from the field including 30.9% from 3 point range. Oklahoma forces 14.8 turnovers a game.
Oklahoma guard Steven Pledger averages 18.8 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1.2 steals a game. Pledger leads the Sooners in scoring and steals, and is shooting 48.4% from 3 point range. Calvin Newell Jr. was the second leading scorer but left the program in early December. Andrew Fitzgerald averages 12.3 points, and 5.3 rebounds a game. Romero Osby averages 10.8 points, 8.8 rebounds to lead the team, and 1 block a game to lead the team. Cameron Clark averages 8.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists. Sam Grooms averages 5.4 assists to lead the team.
Missouri is outscoring opponents 86-62. The Tigers are shooting 51.7% from the field including 40.6% from 3 point range. Missouri makes 76.6% from the free throw line. The Tigers are second in scoring, first in field goal percentage, 12th in 3 point field goals, and 8th in free throw percentage nationally. Missouri averages 34.9 rebounds a game and has a rebounding margin of +3.2. The Tigers average 16.8 assists, 9.8 turnovers, 10.1 steals, and 3.2 blocks a game. Missouri opponents are shooting 41% from the field, and 31% from 3 point range. Missouri forces 16.6 turnovers a game.
Missouri guard Marcus Denmon averages 18.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.6 steals a game. He shoots 44.8% from 3 point range. Kim English averages 15.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.2 steals a game. He makes 54.4% of his 3 point attempts. Ricardo Ratliffe averages 14.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks a game. He leads the team in rebounds and blocks. Michael Dixon averages 12.5 points, 2.2 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. Phil “Flip” Pressey averages 9.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2.3 steals a game. He leads the team in assists and steals. Forward Laurence Bowers is out for the season with a knee injury.
Missouri is 5-2 against the spread and the total is 6-2 this season. Oklahoma is 5-3 ATS and and the total is 4-4 this season. The Tigers are 10-2 ATS in the last 12 against Oklahoma, including 5-0 at home. The last 4 games have gone under the total. The Sooners are 4-1 ATS against teams with winning records, 9-3 after a straight up win, 5-2 overall, 17-36-1 as a road underdog, 5-16 in Tuesday games, 1-4 as an underdog of 13 points, including 0-4 in the road. The Tigers are 4-1 ATS against teams with winning records, 6-2 at home against teams with losing road records, 5-2 as a favorite, after a straight up win, as a home favorite of 13 points or more, and overall, 38-17 as a home favorite, 35-17-1 at home games, 3-8 in Tuesday games, 0-4-1 after failing to cover, and in Big 12 games.
Oklahoma is a tough gritty team, but they can’t beat Missouri in a high octane up and down the court game. The Sooners must control the tempo and keep Missouri in the half court offense as much as possible. The Sooners show a lot of hustle, as they have no player over 6’9″ and yet are 4th in rebounding. I like Oklahoma to keep it close, but Missouri will win at home.
