The Oklahoma Sooners will travel to Auburn Arena to take on the top-ranked Auburn Tigers this Saturday afternoon in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge.
The Oklahoma Sooners snapped a 4-game losing streak and improved to 13-7 on the season after defeating the West Virginia Mountaineers, 72-62, this past Wednesday. Oklahoma was outstanding on both ends of the court against West Virginia and had no trouble securing the victory after taking a 63-46 lead with 6:28 left in regulation. Oklahoma shot 51.1% from the field & 35.7% from beyond the arc while holding West Virginia to 37.7% shooting from the field & 25.0% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Sooners was Tanner Groves who had 21 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, & 1 steal.
On the season, Oklahoma is averaging 70.9 ppg on 49.4% shooting from the field. The Sooners are averaging 7.1 three-pointers per game on 33.8% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Oklahoma has been led by Tanner Groves (13.1 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.9 apg), Umoja Gibson (12.4 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.6 spg), Elijah Harkless (9.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.0 spg), & Jalen Hill (9.4 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.7 apg).
Defensively, Oklahoma is holding their opponents to an average of 62.5 ppg on 41.6% shooting from the field. The Sooners have a rebound margin of 2.5 and a turnover margin of -0.2.
The top-ranked Auburn Tigers won their 16th straight game and improved to 19-1 on the season after defeating the Missouri Tigers, 55-54, this past Tuesday. Auburn struggled on the offensive end against Missouri, however, the Tigers defense kept the game close in the 2nd half and was able to hold off the Tigers for the victory after 55-51 lead with :45 seconds left in regulation. Auburn shot 30.0% from the field & 21.9% from beyond the arc while allowing Missouri to shoot 38.5% from the field & 29.4% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Tigers was Walker Kessler who had a double-double with 13 points, 12 rebounds, & 2 blocks.
On the season, Auburn is averaging 79.4 ppg on 45.1% shooting from the field. The Tigers are averaging 8.7 three-pointers per game on 33.5% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Auburn has been led by Jabari Smith (15.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.3 spg, 1.1 bpg), K.D. Johnson (13.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.3 apg, 2.2 spg), Wendell Green Jr. (12.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 5.0 apg, 1.5 spg), & Walker Kessler (10.9 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 1.0 spg, 4.1 bpg).
Defensively, Auburn is holding their opponents to an average of 65.3 ppg on 39.1% shooting from the field. The Tigers have a rebound margin of 3.6 and a turnover margin of 4.2.
The Sooners are 8-1 ATS in tier last 9 games vs. SEC opponents & 3-2 ATS in their last 5 road games. The Tigers are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games & 5-0 ATS in their last 5 home games.
Oklahoma has been led by their defense which ranks 31st in scoring defense & 115th in defensive FG%, however, although the Sooners have shot the ball well (8th in FG%), Oklahoma has had trouble putting points on the scoreboard and currently ranks just t-191st in scoring offense. Auburn has been great on both ends of the court this season and currently rank 27th in scoring offense, 80th in scoring defense, & 19th in defensive FG%.
Oklahoma is coming off an impressive road victory against West Virginia, however, this is still a team that has lost 5 of their last 7 games and can struggle to score the basketball. Auburn is coming off a tough game at Missouri, however, the Tigers are the better team on both sides of the ball in this one and as Auburn has been lights out at home this season (10-0 record), I think Auburn wins this one by double-digits and covers this spread. Good Luck!