Starting the season out strong in the non-conference, Texas basketball looked like they had some hope going into Big 12 play in 2019-2020. That hope was quickly snatched away on Saturday as Texas dropped their conference opener to Baylor, 59-44.
While the defense played well, limiting the Bears to 31% shooting from the floor, the offense was the issue as Jericho Sims led the way with 13 points. Of the nine players who go game action for the Longhorns, only five of them scored. Sims and Courtney Ramey scored a combined 24 points, 54% of Texas’ total points.
Luckily, the Oklahoma defense has not been the best this season, giving up nearly 70 points a game. Where the Sooners really struggle is on the glass, ranking 150th in the country in total rebounds.
To pick up a victory at the Frank Erwin Center, the Longhorn offense is going to have to play better against the poor Oklahoma defense. Top scorers Andrew Jones and Matt Coleman need to have more than 18 total points.
Winning their Big 12 opener against Kansas State, Oklahoma heavily relied on Austin Reaves and Kristian Doolittle. Scoring 21 and 19 points respectively, the two are the Sooners’ top scorers to this point in the season.
It is not a must-win game for Texas, but it is really close to one. Head Coach Shaka Smart’s seat is scorching hot and picking up a win against the rival Sooners would cool it off for now. Defending home court in conference play is one of the easiest ways to pave your way to the NCAA tournament.
Going 1-1 against each other in 2018-2019, a new season is here for the Red River Rivalry basketball edition. Since the creation of the Big 12, the Longhorns lead the series against the Sooners, 26-25. If Oklahoma can win on Wednesday, it would tie that record up with the chance to take the lead in March’s matchup.
No matter the sport, it is always fun to beat the Sooners. Getting revenge from the football season in the fashion of basketball would be a good form of payback.
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