Oklahoma (15-8, 5-5) and Iowa State (10-13, 3-7) square off in a mid-week Big 12 battle for the second and final time of the regular season.
This is a must-win for the Sooners as they have No. 3 Kansas and No. 1 Baylor following the matchup against the Cyclones tonight. For the game to fall in Oklahoma’s favor, here is what needs to happen.
STAY CONSISTENT
The Sooners played their best game of the season last Saturday in their 69-59 win over West Virginia. If Oklahoma wants to have a puncher’s chance against the top-tier teams in the Big 12, they need to dominate against the teams that are bottom dwellers. Building off of Saturday’s performance will be crucial to pulling out a mid-week win.
MANEK BEING A MANIAC
Brady Manek has been on an absolute tear over the past two weeks. When he is not feeling it offensively, he plays dominant defense against some of the best big men in the league. When he is feeling it offensively, Manek continues to be a force on defense, feeding off the energy he creates on the offensive end of the court. Where he goes, the team goes. Having much better body language and energy following the Sooners’ road loss to Kansas State, the team goes where Manek goes.
FIND AUSTIN
Manek has been missing in spurts this season, so has Kristian Doolittle. Even Jamal Bieniemy, De’Vion Harmon, and Alondes Williams have found themselves as the season has progressed. One guy, who has yet to be truly seen in Big 12 play? Austin Reaves. The sharpshooter has been a shell of himself since non-conference play and is nearly unrecognizable since his days at Witchita State. Getting Reaves into the flow of the offense while Doolittle and Manek are on fire could push the Sooners deep into the NCAA Tournament.
Oklahoma and Iowa State are set to tip-off at 8p.m. CT on ESPN2. For more broadcast information, click here.
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