Oklahoma vs Texas | Preview, Predictions, Odds

College Free Pick – Monday, March 1, 2010

Oklahoma Sooners (13-15) v #21 Texas Longhorns (22-7)

The No.21 Texas Longhorns will host the Oklahoma Sooners in a Big 12 battle on Monday night at the Frank Erwin Special Events Center in Austin, Texas.

Click Here for more Free Expert NCAA Basketball Picks

The Sooners beat the then-No. 9 Longhorns 80-71 almost one month ago, increasing their series advantage to 47-28. Texas will be looking to avenge the loss and split the season series while improving its already impressive 14-2 home record.

Texas opened the season with a 17-game wining streak, but has gone just 5-7 since. The Longhorns have fallen to 8-6 in Big 12 action after a 74-58 thumping at No. 22 Texas A&M on Saturday. Damion James, who leads the ‘Horns with 17.5 ppg while ripping down 10.3 rpg, scored 12 points and Jordan Hamilton added 10 points in the loss. The ‘Horns shot just 36.8 percent from the field and committed more turnovers than assists. The Aggies outrebounded Texas 40-29 and out shot them from the foul line 21-12. Standout Guard J’Covan Brown, one of the team’s starters, injured his neck in the contest when he collided with Texas A&M’s B.J. Holmes as he went to the basket.  It has been reported that x-rays were negative, and it remains to be seen when Brown will return to the lineup. Overall this season, Texas is scoring 81.7 ppg while allowing 68.0 ppg on 39 percent shooting from the field by opponents.

Much like Texas the Sooners are 8-6 in conference play and are on a six game losing skid with their latest defeat coming by way of No. 24 Baylor, 70-63 on Saturday.  Tiny Gallon scored 23 points while dragging down 15 rebounds and Ryan Wright added 14 points off the bench for the Sooners in the loss. Oklahoma shot a lousy 34.3 percent of their field goal attempts, including 2-of-18 from three-point range. The Sooners did have a 19-4 advantage in second-chance points however, but couldn’t capitalize. Oklahoma is generating 72.8 ppg this season while holding opponents to 73.1 ppg. They have four double-digit scorers who are led by Willie Warren with 16.3 points per game, Tommy Mason-Griffin with 13.9 ppg and 134 assists, and Tony Crocker provides 11.3 ppg. Rounding out the foursome is Gallon with 10.4 ppg and 8.3 rpg.

The odds makers have Longhorns as –13 ½ -point favorites in this one.

Click Here for more Free Expert NCAA Basketball Picks

Look for Damion James to lead Texas to a double-digit win in Austin as the Longhorns avenge the earlier season loss to the Sooners.