The Central Arkansas Bears and the Oklahoma Sooners meet Sunday in college basketball action from Lloyd Noble Center. Here’s an Oklahoma vs Central Arkansas prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Oklahoma vs Central Arkansas pick.
Central Arkansas Betting Preview
The Bears went just 2-4 to start the year, losing to BYU, Utah, Western Illinois and SEMO along the way. Central AR would then fall to Georgia Tech, Little Rock, AR-Pine Bluff and Arkansas before another victory versus the Citadel.
In the win over the Citadel on Monday, the Bears were up 47-42 going into the second half. Central Arkansas scored 26 more points in a 73-71 result. Tops in scoring was Layne Taylor with 21 points and five steals.
Oklahoma Sooners Betting Preview
Over on the Sooners’ side, they’ve been unblemished so far. Oklahoma has beaten Lindenwood, Northwestern State, Stetson, East Texas A&M, Providence, Arizona, Louisville, Georgia Tech, Alcorn State, Oklahoma State and Michigan in their first 11 games.
In the Michigan game on Wednesday, the Sooners were down 43-38 going into the second half. Oklahoma hit a 49-43 run the rest of the way in an 87-86 comeback win. Jeremiah Fears topped the team on 30 points.
Why the Oklahoma Sooners will win
- Oklahoma has won each of its last 19 games against non-Conference opponents at Lloyd Noble Center.
- Central Arkansas has lost 11 of its last 13 games against non-Conference opponents.
- Oklahoma has won the first half in each of its last 14 day games at Lloyd Noble Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Why the Central Arkansas Bears will win
- Oklahoma has lost three of its last four home games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- Oklahoma has lost the first half in five of its last six day games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Oklahoma vs Central Arkansas Prediction
I’ll probably stick with Oklahoma, but I’m also probably staying away from this one. The Sooners posted a gutsy second-half comeback against a good Michigan team in their last outing, shooting 47.4 percent from the field with 21-of-24 (87.5 percent) from the line. That makes 80 or more points in three straight games for Oklahoma, and 69 or more points in every game so far.
As for the Bears, they shot a tepid 38.8 percent from the field but did well on foul shots (11-of-13) in their tight win over the Citadel. Central Arkansas has been below 58 points in two of their last four games though, so it’s tough imagining them keeping any sort of pace with Oklahoma.